64Firebird
New member
If a singer is looking to join a band, what gear does he (she) need to have and know how to use?
What should a singer bring to the table?
- Thread starter 64Firebird
- Start date
James Argo
Fancy Rock N' Roll
Autotune preferably...
Innovations
New member
A voice.
You should know how to use a mic effectively too of course.
You should know how to use a mic effectively too of course.
smellyfuzz
New member
This brings up an interesting point.
The question is good one but with not a simple answer.
You see a singer should simple be able to sing.
Many band have in their heads of what kind of singer they are looking for.
Some one to sound like Robert Plant perhaps.
A band however, should build ALL of its songs around the singer that is
suitable for his voice.
Elton John, Robert Plant, Art Garfunkel, Bono, James Taylor, Kurt Cobane
are all singers that I love, none of them sound anything alike.
Many bands do not see this at all.
Instead most want a singer that can sing every song "right", like the record.
No singer and that is no singer can sing it all.
So to answer your question I would ask, what is a band going to do
to help me sound my best.
Sean
The question is good one but with not a simple answer.
You see a singer should simple be able to sing.
Many band have in their heads of what kind of singer they are looking for.
Some one to sound like Robert Plant perhaps.
A band however, should build ALL of its songs around the singer that is
suitable for his voice.
Elton John, Robert Plant, Art Garfunkel, Bono, James Taylor, Kurt Cobane
are all singers that I love, none of them sound anything alike.
Many bands do not see this at all.
Instead most want a singer that can sing every song "right", like the record.
No singer and that is no singer can sing it all.
So to answer your question I would ask, what is a band going to do
to help me sound my best.
Sean
64Firebird said:
You should consider yourself lucky if you can find a good singer who has their own mic, let alone a whole PA system.
I used to make our singer set up my PA. I eventually trained him to plug in all the speakers first, then the mics, but could never get him to remember the last step......
....plugging it into the wall.
smellyfuzz
New member
Electricity is bad for the voice.
chessparov
New member
Sean's (second to last) excellent post is suitable for framing!
No truer words...
An excellent EASY microphone for those singers challenged
(like me!
) regarding live microphone technique is the
Electro-Voice EV RE16. They have the patent on "Variable-D"
technology that minimizes the proximity effect when you
sing close to the microphone. This was the microphone used
for the "Elvis" 1968 Comeback Special BTW.
(RE-15's were for when they did the "Sun acoustic" portion)
He was notorious for wandering off-axis in the studio because
he liked to move around so much!
Just scored two old RE-16's off e-bay for $30 each.
(retail for about $185+ new)
Usually run about $80+ each in good cosmetic condition,
and are more than worth every penny sonically.
Expect their values to start climbing...
Chris
No truer words...
An excellent EASY microphone for those singers challenged
(like me!
) regarding live microphone technique is the Electro-Voice EV RE16. They have the patent on "Variable-D"
technology that minimizes the proximity effect when you
sing close to the microphone. This was the microphone used
for the "Elvis" 1968 Comeback Special BTW.
(RE-15's were for when they did the "Sun acoustic" portion)
He was notorious for wandering off-axis in the studio because
he liked to move around so much!
Just scored two old RE-16's off e-bay for $30 each.
(retail for about $185+ new)
Usually run about $80+ each in good cosmetic condition,
and are more than worth every penny sonically.
Expect their values to start climbing...
Chris
64Firebird
New member
I don't think it would be asking too much for a singer to buy a small PA. Something like 200 watts per channel. That doesn't cost any more than a decent sized drum kit or a good guitar and amp set up.
MISTERQCUE
Not Just Anutha Brutha
A singer mus always bring to the table...............
.................beer & Vodka!
.................beer & Vodka!
James Argo
Fancy Rock N' Roll
dafduc
New member
1: voice.
2: pitch.
3: chops.
The rest is just gravy. Okay, maybe mic technique.
4: mic technique.
Alright, and range. Range is important, otherwise yer choice of material is real limited.
5: range.
Without the top three, though, forget it. You'll be stuck with, at best, uninspired performances.
Without the top two, just hang it up. Cringe.
Daf (has 2, 3, and 4. Maybe 5. But not 1. Cringe.)
2: pitch.
3: chops.
The rest is just gravy. Okay, maybe mic technique.
4: mic technique.
Alright, and range. Range is important, otherwise yer choice of material is real limited.
5: range.
Without the top three, though, forget it. You'll be stuck with, at best, uninspired performances.
Without the top two, just hang it up. Cringe.
Daf (has 2, 3, and 4. Maybe 5. But not 1. Cringe.)
64Firebird
New member
Hmmmmmmmm...
Most of you seem to agree that singers shouldn't have to sink any money into the band the way everybody else does. I guess that has it's advantages. When the singer's head gets too big you can throw him (her) out and still have the PA gear for the next singer to use.
Most of you seem to agree that singers shouldn't have to sink any money into the band the way everybody else does. I guess that has it's advantages. When the singer's head gets too big you can throw him (her) out and still have the PA gear for the next singer to use.
chessparov
New member
A smart singer should have their own microphone so that they can be comfortable with it when they sing live IMHO.
One way to get a singer to contribute to the band is to work out
that if they pay 20% or 25% of the PA expenses, they get the
same percentage of the "gate" after expenses from a paying gig.
Or if they can't afford a good microphone, the rest of the band
could get one for them, and it will be paid back as a loan.
(microphone to remain as "band's property" until then BTW)
Chris
One way to get a singer to contribute to the band is to work out
that if they pay 20% or 25% of the PA expenses, they get the
same percentage of the "gate" after expenses from a paying gig.
Or if they can't afford a good microphone, the rest of the band
could get one for them, and it will be paid back as a loan.
(microphone to remain as "band's property" until then BTW)
Chris
smellyfuzz
New member
Dafduc
I must state that I disagree with almost all you have stated.
1) Voice, many singers out there really can't sing well at all, Dylan.
Would you not accept him in your band ?
2) Pitch, well David lee Roth had a terrible pitch problem.
3) Chops, this one, if I understand correctly, actually bothers me.
Many artist are by nature shy. Barbra Streisand, Paul Simon come to mind.
Would you not accept someone of their talent into your group ?
4) Mic technique ?????? Sing into it.
Ok, If a guy comes down & does not know which end of the mic to use...
5) Range. Most of the greatest sounding singer in the world have a some what limited range.
Sinatra, Lennon, Taylor, Cobane, Waters, Simon, Willie, on and on and on.
Sean
I must state that I disagree with almost all you have stated.
1) Voice, many singers out there really can't sing well at all, Dylan.
Would you not accept him in your band ?
2) Pitch, well David lee Roth had a terrible pitch problem.
3) Chops, this one, if I understand correctly, actually bothers me.
Many artist are by nature shy. Barbra Streisand, Paul Simon come to mind.
Would you not accept someone of their talent into your group ?
4) Mic technique ?????? Sing into it.
Ok, If a guy comes down & does not know which end of the mic to use...
5) Range. Most of the greatest sounding singer in the world have a some what limited range.
Sinatra, Lennon, Taylor, Cobane, Waters, Simon, Willie, on and on and on.
Sean
sjjohnston
New member
Nobody mentions stage presence / looks?
It's a significant factor in the success of a band. Exactly what sort of stage presence or looks is "good" depends on the style of music, of course.
It's a significant factor in the success of a band. Exactly what sort of stage presence or looks is "good" depends on the style of music, of course.
chessparov
New member
Firebird, what style of music is it?
Norah Jones did pretty good despite singing flat.
She's cute though!
Chris
Norah Jones did pretty good despite singing flat.
She's cute though!
Chris
smellyfuzz
New member
There is a a lot of ulgy singers out there.
Sean
Badger
Active member
In theory, I think that the singer should spring for the PA, if they are the main one that uses it.
I mean, I have many thousand tied up in my keyboard gear, Most gtr players have a couple o grand, and the drummer probably has at least that much. Why should the singer get off just buying a 100 buck or less mic.
I mean, I have many thousand tied up in my keyboard gear, Most gtr players have a couple o grand, and the drummer probably has at least that much. Why should the singer get off just buying a 100 buck or less mic.