live rig (mic, pre, speaker) for acoustic guitar and voice

kissingonstilts · 18th August 2006

What are some of the portable rigs you have found lovely for small venues, cost notwithstanding?

I used to use a km84 through a Mackie and Lexicaon LXP1 with Tannoy Gold Reference monitors (LG10s I think) for live gigs - it sounded very nice (would have supplanted something better for the Mackie), but the Tannoys were too unwieldy and the wooden cabs too fragile. Had to navigate feedback problems sometimes, but not so much. People thought I was foolish for using studio gear for live gigs, until they heard it - it was more musical.

All of that gear is gone and I want to do something similar - any wisdom? Thanks

kissingonstilts · 18th August 2006

no ideas?

feyshay · 18th August 2006

Your setup seems pretty good, athough it was unclear if you were using the Neumann for acoustic guitar or vocals. I may not be as much of an audiophile. I would keep things simple. I avoid the use of condenser microphones for acoustic guitar/vocal stuff. Feedback is unkind and less worrisome with a mic like the Shure SM7 for vocals. For guitar, I use my Martin's pickup/microphone (which I will set to lessen feedback). If feedback problems, I'll adjust more pickup and less microphone if I have to.
I'll generally just use my Apogee Mini-me's preamps and limiting/compression. I'll then use a Kurzweil KSP8 for reverb, delay, chorus, etc. and have presets already setup. I'll use a MOTU Traveler as a mixer and to communicate between the Mini-Me and KSP8. (Simple--yeah, right)
The Mini-me preamps are better than my Mackie mixer's preamps and just as portable. If I want to record, I can bring the laptop.
Have you taken a look at the SRM 350's from Mackie. Very nice for live situations and not too cumbersome.

kissingonstilts · 19th August 2006

Thank you. These are ideas I've not researched. Has the sound been 'studio' like?

For live work I used to use two km84s - one for guitar and one for voice, but I found that it sounded better with just one mic placed effectively - I had phase problems when I used the stereo pair.

I've been pondering using my Millennia TD-1 pre as a mixer/pre-amp, but I think that may be more than I need; also pondering the Sound Devices Mix-Pre - anyone ever use that for live work?

I'm really trying to go for very high quality, along with the "Thoreau" ethic - simple: nice mic, nice pre/mixer, some simple reverb, powered speakers that have exceptional tonal response and that aren't too unwieldy (anyone ever try the little Meyers monitors?).

Looking forward to your perspectives.

18th August 2006	#1
kissingonstilts Gear maniac Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 276 Thread Starter	live rig (mic, pre, speaker) for acoustic guitar and voice What are some of the portable rigs you have found lovely for small venues, cost notwithstanding? I used to use a km84 through a Mackie and Lexicaon LXP1 with Tannoy Gold Reference monitors (LG10s I think) for live gigs - it sounded very nice (would have supplanted something better for the Mackie), but the Tannoys were too unwieldy and the wooden cabs too fragile. Had to navigate feedback problems sometimes, but not so much. People thought I was foolish for using studio gear for live gigs, until they heard it - it was more musical. All of that gear is gone and I want to do something similar - any wisdom? Thanks

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18th August 2006	#3
feyshay Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,358	Your setup seems pretty good, athough it was unclear if you were using the Neumann for acoustic guitar or vocals. I may not be as much of an audiophile. I would keep things simple. I avoid the use of condenser microphones for acoustic guitar/vocal stuff. Feedback is unkind and less worrisome with a mic like the Shure SM7 for vocals. For guitar, I use my Martin's pickup/microphone (which I will set to lessen feedback). If feedback problems, I'll adjust more pickup and less microphone if I have to. I'll generally just use my Apogee Mini-me's preamps and limiting/compression. I'll then use a Kurzweil KSP8 for reverb, delay, chorus, etc. and have presets already setup. I'll use a MOTU Traveler as a mixer and to communicate between the Mini-Me and KSP8. (Simple--yeah, right) The Mini-me preamps are better than my Mackie mixer's preamps and just as portable. If I want to record, I can bring the laptop. Have you taken a look at the SRM 350's from Mackie. Very nice for live situations and not too cumbersome.

19th August 2006	#4
kissingonstilts Gear maniac Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 276 Thread Starter	Thank you. These are ideas I've not researched. Has the sound been 'studio' like? For live work I used to use two km84s - one for guitar and one for voice, but I found that it sounded better with just one mic placed effectively - I had phase problems when I used the stereo pair. I've been pondering using my Millennia TD-1 pre as a mixer/pre-amp, but I think that may be more than I need; also pondering the Sound Devices Mix-Pre - anyone ever use that for live work? I'm really trying to go for very high quality, along with the "Thoreau" ethic - simple: nice mic, nice pre/mixer, some simple reverb, powered speakers that have exceptional tonal response and that aren't too unwieldy (anyone ever try the little Meyers monitors?). Looking forward to your perspectives.