Mackie 2404-VLZ3 Mixer Review

Review of the Mackie 2404-VLZ3 mixing console which is a 24-channel mixer.

Mackie 2404-VLZ3 mixing console
Mackie 2404-VLZ3 Mixer

One of the very most important pieces of equipment that will affect the sound of your live band is your mixing console. I recently upgraded to the Mackie 2404-VLZ3 24-channel mixer. This mixer features 24 channels with 20 of those channels being XDR2 microphone channels and 4 channels being grouped on two faders as stereo channels. The mixer also features two built-in effects units that feature 24 separate effect presets. The mixer also features 8 separate compressors.

One feature that really sold me on this mixer was the built-in compression. There are four compressors located on channels 17-20 which is great for adding compression to individual instruments like the kick drum or bass guitar. There are four more compressors located on the four sub-group channels. Having the compressors located on the four sub-group channels is great for adding overall compression to the instruments or vocals. I route my vocal mix to sub-groups 1 and 2 and then add compression on those faders. I do the same with my instrument mix on sub-groups 3 and 4. I love the compression feature of this mixer!   Continue reading “Mackie 2404-VLZ3 Mixer Review”

Shure SE215 Sound Isolating Earphones Review

The Shure SE215 sound isolating earphones sound great but they just don’t fit as well as the SE115 did.

Shure SE-215 Earphones
Shure SE215 Sound Isolating Headphones

I have been using the Shure SE115 sound isolating earphones in my live band and at the gym for about 3 years now. They have been great headphones and I’ve really loved them. I finally wore through the cord where it passes over my ears and it’s impossible to only replace the cord in that area on the SE115’s. So I decided to purchase the new Shure SE215 sound isolating earphones which have replaced the SE115 product. I was so happy with the SE115’s that I felt confident that the SE215’s could easily replace them.

Continue reading “Shure SE215 Sound Isolating Earphones Review”

Amplify Your Mixer With The Behringer Europower EP4000 Stereo Power Amplifier

Power your P.A. System with the Behringer EP4000 Stereo Power Amplifier.

Behringer EP4000 Stereo Power Amplifier
Behringer EP4000 Stereo Power Amplifier

   Everyone that plays in a live band knows that you need a good mixer at the heart of your P.A. system. Many musicians who are building their first PA system spend a lot of time researching and choosing a mixer and completely forget that they will need a good power amplifier to power that mixer. Today I’m going to talk about an excellent, affordable power amplifier that will work with any mixer. I’d like to introduce you to the Behringer Europower EP4000 stereo power amplifier.   Continue reading “Amplify Your Mixer With The Behringer Europower EP4000 Stereo Power Amplifier”

Behringer Xenyx X2442USB Mixer Review

The Behringer Xenyx X2442USB Mixer is a 16-channel mixing console with built in compression, digital effects and a computer USB interface.

Behringer Xenyx X2442USB Mixer
Behringer Xenyx X2442USB Mixer

   If you’re looking for an extremely versatile mixer and you have a limited budget then look no further than the Behringer Xenyx X2442USB Mixing Console. This mixer is ideal for use with your live band or even in your home studio. If you have a band with four or five members then this is the ideal mixing solution for you simply because of the excellent selection of input and routing options.

   The Xenyx X2442USB is the upgrade to the Behringer Eurorack UB2442FX Pro mixer. The mixers are very similar in capability and channel availability and I suggest you read the Behringer Euorack UB2442FX Pro Review to get more of an idea of these mixer’s capabilities. The Xenyx X2442USB has two very important upgrades. First, it has built in compression! This is a major advantage for mixing live vocals as well as live drums. It saves you from having to hook up an outboard compression unit to the mixer. The downside is, it’s only available on channel’s 1-8. Still, that’s generally enough channels for your vocal mics and basic drum mics.     Continue reading “Behringer Xenyx X2442USB Mixer Review”

How To Build Your P.A. System

Yamaha EMX512SC/S115V
Yamaha EMX512SC/S115V P.A. System Package

One of the most essential collections of equipment you’ll need for your live band is a good P.A. System. There are a lot of different P.A. System configurations and you can spend a lot of money building a P.A. from the ground up. Today I’m going to talk about what you need to build a basic P.A. system that will get you out in front of people playing gigs.     Continue reading “How To Build Your P.A. System”

Complete Portable P.A. System Yamaha EMX512SC/S115V

The Yamaha EMX512SC/S115V is an excellent P.A. package package that has everything you need for your live band.

Yamaha EMX512SC/S115V
Yamaha EMX512SC/S115V P.A. System Package

   If you play in a smaller live band such as a 2 to 4 person group then I’m sure you understand the need for a smaller P.A. system. A lot of acoustic duos will go out and play with a small amp, a couple mics and a pair of small speakers. But with a larger 3 or 4 person group I’m sure you’ve learned that you need more than just a  little 4-channel powered mixer head and a couple of speakers.

   I’d like to talk about an excellent P.A. system for smaller groups of two to four people. The Yamaha EMX512SC/S115V is a complete P.A. package that will have your smaller group completely covered for all your P.A. needs. At the heart of the system is an dual-channel, 500 Watt per channel, powered mixer that has 8 total microphone inputs. The really nice thing about the EMX512SC is the added bonus of four of the eight channels being able to function as either mono microphone inputs or stereo line inputs. This gives the amp/mixer a total of 12 input channels.     Continue reading “Complete Portable P.A. System Yamaha EMX512SC/S115V”

Behringer Eurorack UB2442FX-PRO Mixer Review

The Behringer UB2442FX-PRO is a lot of mixer for a very low price but it’s build quality is not the best.

Behringer Eurorack UB2442FX-PRO Mixer
Behringer Eurorack UB2442FX-PRO Mixer

The most important component in your live band’s P.A. system is the mixing console. Without a mixer you’re not going to be able to mix your live sound properly when playing a gig. I’ve written a couple posts such as “You Need A P.A. System To Play A Gig” detailing how important having a good P.A. system is to the success of your band.

Today I’m going to talk about a budget mixer made by Behringer called the Eurorack UB2442FX-PRO. I know that many of you that have experience with Behringer equipment are rolling your eyes right now and I don’t blame you. Behringer has a reputation for cheap equipment that doesn’t always come with the best build quality. I know I’ve had my share of problems with Behringer equipment but at the same time I’ve been able to use Behringer products quite successfully in my studio and with my live band.    Continue reading “Behringer Eurorack UB2442FX-PRO Mixer Review”

B-52 Matrix 2000 Powered Speaker System With Subwoofer

Review of the B-52 Matrix 2000 Speaker system with powered subwoofer and powered satellite speakers.

B-52 Matrix 2000 Speaker System
B-52 Matrix 2000 Speaker System

As you know, it’s crucial for your live band to have the right equipment in order to play a gig. The most important thing you need when playing a gig is a good P.A. System. You can buy yourself a complete P.A. package or you can assemble a P.A. by it’s individual components. The three main components in a P.A. system are a mixer, amplifier and speakers. Today I’m going to talk about a speaker system that has it’s own built-in power amp, the B-52 Matrix 2000 Speaker Sound System.

There are a lot of advantages to buying the B-52 Matrix 2000 speaker sysem. One of the most overlooked pieces of equipment when assembling a P.A. system is the amplifier that powers the speakers. I’ve seen a lot of musicians who are just starting out purchase a very nice speaker package with a mixer and totally forget to buy a power amp for them. That’s why it’s so nice to have the amplifier that powers the speakers built right into the speaker system itself.   Continue reading “B-52 Matrix 2000 Powered Speaker System With Subwoofer”

Live Musician Gift Idea – Live Sound Accessories Pack

This live sound accessories pack includes two mic stands, two speaker stands, one speaker stand bag and an equipment hauling cart.

Live Sound Accessories Pack
Live Sound Accessories Pack

   Since it’s the season of giving (and of using the last of my live band  earnings for tax write-off purposes) I was looking for gifts for live musicians and came across this sweet deal on a Live Sound Accessories Pack. I don’t know about you, but I seem to go through a microphone stand every year. I also hate hauling equipment in and out of the gig. I also always seem to play in some venues where I struggle to get the speakers aimed for the best sound projection.

   Well, this live sound accessories pack addresses all three problems for an incredibly low price. This pack includes two ProLine Boom Microphone Stands, two ProLine Speaker Stands, one Speaker Stand Bag and one Rock N Roller R2 Micro Cart! All for the amazingly low price of $149. You just can’t beat that price for such a sweet live sound accessories pack.   Continue reading “Live Musician Gift Idea – Live Sound Accessories Pack”

A Suggestion On Gifts For Musicians

A vocal microphone package is the perfect set of gifts for musicians that play in a live band.

Shure Beta 58A
Shure Beta 58A

  I’ve written many times on Live Musician Central about how important it is for every band member in a live band to do some singing. Whether you’re taking time on lead vocals or simply singing backup, your voice is too valuable of an instrument not to use in your band. There’s one piece of equipment that most musicians always seem to skimp on, and that’s their vocal microphone.

   That’s whay I’m suggesting a vocal microphone package as a gift for musicians this year. You’ll be doing the musician in your life a big favor by spending a little cash on a good vocal microphone, mic cable and mic stand. This is a great three piece package for your musician and it’s a gift that will be used for years to come.     Continue reading “A Suggestion On Gifts For Musicians”