BASIC EQUIPMENT SUGGESTIONS

The following list of equipment is what I always take with me, so that I can hook up my equipment in almost any venue.  The equipment listed does not imply any recommendation for one piece of equipment over another is it just the choice I made for myself.  Hopefully this list will encourage you to do the research and purchase equipment that best serves your purposes.

 

1.  Microphone - Of course your first purchase should be your own microphone (plus stand).  This will be your first step in making your sound, your sound.  It will help define who you are as an announcer.  The microphones that I use are the Shure SM58 vocal microphone, Shure 55SH Series II Iconic Unidyne Vocal Microphone, Fender P51 microphone, and a Shure SM10A head worn microphone.

 

2.  Computer - One of your bigger purchases will be a laptop computer.  Your laptop can range from a 17" screen to a 10" screen.  Your computer will be invaluable, especially if you decide to run your music from your computer.  I use several different computers, as I also have other announcers that I use when I have duplicate events on the same day.  Currently my main two computers are the Gateway CX2610 and the Gateway ML6232.

 

3.  MP3 player- To make yourself more marketable being able to provide music will go a long way in getting you venues to announce at.  IPods and Windows based MP3 players will do an adequate job.  I have chosen to use a program on my computer to play music from.  The program is Sports Sounds Pro.

 

4.  Mixer - One of the most important pieces of equipment you will purchase, in making yourself independent, is a mixer.  The mixer is used for microphone input, music input and possibly additional inputs, as needed.   The mixers I have chosen to use are the Behringer Xenyx 1002 mixer and a Behringer Xenyx 1202 mixer.

 

5.  Push To Talk Switch - Our first optional equipment item is the push to talk switch, which must be pushed to initiate the microphone.  This simple piece of equipment could save you a very embarrassing situation if you possible would have left your microphone on and said something that you wouldn't have wanted announced over the pa system.  The switch I use is the AudioMan Push To Talk Switch.

 

6.  Direct Box - Your next most important optional equipment is a direct box with a ground lift.  Many times the equipment have unbalanced signals causing background noise.  The direct box with a ground lift will eliminate that problem.  I use the Whirlwind IMP 2 Direct Box.

 

7.  Cables and misc -  Cables are needed to connect the equipment to the system.  Basic cables include: several microphone cables, 1/8" to 1/4" mono cable, 1/4" to 1/4" cable, 1/4 "Y cable, and electrical power strip.

 

STEP BY STEP SET-UP

 

1.  Locate microphone cable to venue pa system

2.  Plug in electrical power strip

3.  Plug in mixer, computer, and MP3 player into the electrical power strip

4.  Connect microphone cable into microphone and into Push To Talk Switch

5  Connect microphone cable into Push To Talk Switch and into #1 input of mixer  (if not using switch, connect microphone to #1 mixer input)

6.  Connect 1/4" Y cable to mixer main output

7.  Connect 1/4" to 1/4" cable into 1/4" Y cable and into the Direct Box

8.  Connect the Direct Box with the microphone cable to the venue pa system

9.  Connect MP3 player to #2 mixer input using the 1/8" to 1/4" cable (if using computer for sound, connect from computer headphone output to #2 mixer input with 1/8" to 1/4" cable)

10. Turn down volume on all mixer controls, leaving Main Control in middle position

11. Turn on computer, MP3 player, microphone

12. Test microphone by pushing Push To Talk Switch and adjusting the volume on mixer #1 input

13. Test music by turning on MP3 player or program on computer and adjust volume on Mixer #2 input

 

Other things to consider:

 

I also have 2 portable sound systems that allow me to announce about anywhere as long as there is electricity or a generator.  The systems that I use are the Fender 300 Pro and the Fender 500 Pro.

 

REMEMBER: This section is used as an example of how I set up my system when I announce at about any venue.  No matter where I go, I have my own setup, that I'm used to and comfortable with, so I have one less thing to think about.  Use common sense in setting up your own equipment list and GOOD LUCK!