Gear for live performances

[mate]

Hi all!!

We are a new band just starting up..
We are wondering what is the best gear for our money. I heard Tapco was a good brand..what do you think.
Band consists of guitarist/singer...bass...keyboard...drums...
we are mostly playing in pubs but will be doing a little bit of outdoor gigs aswell...
Input will be much appreciated
I'm not really sure what direction to go as our funds are short
Thanks again
mate

[Oddrulerofmars]

Ummm, are you talking about pro-audio gear? If you are, and your funds are short, go for a powered mixer. Well. I know some people will probably disagree with me, but their usually a bit cheaper, and their alot easier. Maybe you won't have the most flexibility, but for a band starting out, a powered mixer is a godsend. As far as for speakers, I just bought some used yamaha club speakers off craigslist. Take a look at this place. If you don't have objections to b-stock and such maybe here? Search*results.*::*Audiolines.com
Anyways, what exact purpose do you need your equipment for? There are a lot of factors. Now i'm just rambling

[superpete]

Hey there, what gear are you after? recording gear or p.a. gear etc

I prefer unpowered mixer with powered speakers. just how i roll

I heard Tapco was a good brand..what do you think.

i have used 2 tapco "thump" speakers [and still do at church on sundays and they pretty good. they are the lightest speakers of their size i have ever had to move and they sound pretty nice.
ithey dnt get moved around much so i cant say how study they are but they seem pretty well built for a lite speaker.

I also have a tapco active di box which has always worked for me and is one of the most reliable things i own .

so again, what kinda of gear are you after

[Buddiedavey]

Hi, I've always preferred a mixer with separate power amp. Regarding speakers - it's what's in the cabinets that count! Eminence, Mackie, Celestion and Peavey are all quality names-there are others, but American and British made speakers have always been market leaders for sound quality. Tapco is a good make, it is a division of Mackie aimed at providing good quality on a low budget. On the microphone front - for decades I've used Shure SM57 and SM58, that is until recently. I discovered a true gem of a mic by Audio Technica. It's the "Artists Series" ATM 63HE, a "hypercardioid dynamic mic". This mic is crisp and clear, yet gutsy with bottom end and cuts through through a live mix really well - trust me, after many years of using the benchmark Shures, it's possible to discover something better. Here in Scotland it cost me around £100. Good luck with the band!
Davey in Bonnie Scotland