BAD MICS AND EFFECTS

(Iowa)

Beware of bands that claim they have their own microphones and effects processors. Recently, I allowed a band to provide their own wireless microphones and their own vocal processor.

Because of their inexperience and poor taste in gear, I fought the whole show to keep their vocals out of the mud. Their microphones were very muddy sounding. Hardly any clarity at all.

There was no brand name on them. This should have been my first clue. I learned my lesson to use good quality microphones and to only allow "provided" microphones if I can test them first or if I have worked with that brand or type before.

In addition, there are various vocal processors on the market which allow the user control of engaging and selecting the effect type they desire via foot switch.

Despite the fact that most of these vocal processors sound elementary at best, the do not allow the engineer/technician control over the effect. This can be very frustrating especially if the owner/user of the processor has not taken the proper time to set it up with good patches.

I have considered running a foot switch signal through an empty channel on my snake and connecting it to the on/off function on my processor. This gives the vocalist control of switching on the effect in the case that I am not familiar with its placement in a song. And I still retain control of the overall level.

Lastly, it would also be a good idea to provide the engineer a setlist with footnotes designating particular PA requirements.