Help with my live gig setup (keys and vocals)

[Lion Jay]

BACKGROUND: This is my first post, so hello to all. I have been performing in the live music scene here in Sydney, Australia over the last few years with a guitarist, and I have very lazily been using his gear. Due to both of our demanding jobs, we are struggling to spend time together which is causing our gigs to be a frantic last minute thing (quite to my dismay since I like to practice songs quite a few times before performing). So now I want to move out on my own. This way I can practice whenever I have time to, I can gig more and I can play the things that I want to play

HELP ME HERE: So being the lazy user and abuser I am, I have never ventured into buying my own gear, however, I am now taking the plunge. I have a budget of about $2000 AUD, however, would prefer to not spend it all. So what I am after is: Keyboard (with stand and pedal), Microphone and AMP (would ideally like to go for a PA if I was made of money). With a little bit of research I am looking at a setup somewhat as follows. What I'm after in this post is a critique of what I have selected and any recommendations I can receive.

• Keyboard: Casio PX-3 incl/ stand and pedal (Approx. $1050 AUD)
• Microphone: SM58 or E835 --> I've read up on this and I'm leaning towards the E835 (Approx. $100 AUD)
• Amp: Roland KC-150 (Approx. $500 AUD) --> I have not done enough research into Amps, because to be honest the further I dwell into it the more confused I get.

THANK YOU

 

[mjbphotos]

What kind of music are you playing? What type/size of venues? Most times a keyboard amp like that Roland is not going to do much for you unless you are providing background music in a very small place.
They keyboard choice is going to be based on what feels good to your playing, as well as what sounds good when amped up.
On the mic, you can never go wrong with an SM58, but different voices work better with different mics.

 

[bouldersoundguy]

Those Rolands are functional but I'm not a fan of the sound, especially if you run vocals through them. I think you would be better off with a powered PA speaker. There are several out there with multiple inputs so you could run a mic and the keyboard. Later you could add a small mixer, another speaker with a stand etc. It can be a little difficult doing a show with one speaker, but with one as a monitor and one on a stand you can do all kinds of smaller venues.