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”

Snark SN-2 Clip On Tuner Review

The Snark-SN2 chromatic tuner makes tuning any instrument quick and easy. Tune guitars, bass, saxophone, trumpets, oboes, violins and more!

Snark SN-2 Chromatic Clip-On Tuner
Snark SN-2 Chromatic Clip-On Tuner

I’m always looking for good pieces of music equipment that will make my life easier playing in my live band. I’ve never been a fan of having to plug a tuner into my signal chain with my guitar. I also get tired of unplugging my guitar and then plugging it into a tuner over and over through a gig. Enter the Snark SN-2 digital clip-on tuner. This convenient tuner solves both of these problems easily.

The Snark SN-2 tuner clips directly onto your electric guitar or bass and senses the vibrations from the strings to give it an accurate reading of your instruments tuning. The Snark SN-2 will also clip onto any acoustic instrument including guitars, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, oboe or anything that vibrates. The Snark SN-2 also has a built-in microphone so you can tune keyboards with it as well. It’s a chromatic tuner with extended frequency range so it will read any note on the scale and tell you whether you are in tune or not.   Continue reading “Snark SN-2 Clip On Tuner Review”

Line 6 X2 XDS95 Wireless Guitar System Review

The Line 6 X2 XSS95 has fantastic sound quality, good reliability and is very inexpensive. Here’s the review.

Line 6 X2 XDS95 Wireless Instrument System
Line 6 X2 XDS95 Wireless Guitar System

   I’ve recently been playing in a live band with my Son’s called Bonne Nuit and they were quite envious of my Shure wireless guitar system. I decided to get them their own wireless guitar systems and decided on the Line 6 X2 XDS95 Wireless Guitar System. I got two XDS95’s, one for my bass player and one for my rhythm guitar player. My choice was based mainly on the low price and the fact that this is a full digital wireless guitar system. I have been extremely pleased with this wireless guitar system in terms of reliability and especially in terms of sound quality. It’s one purchase I have never regretted. The following review was written by my son Erik Rushton.   Continue reading “Line 6 X2 XDS95 Wireless Guitar System 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”

Planet Waves Auto-Trim Locking Tuners For Gibson Les Paul

Planet Waves locking tuning machines replace the stock tuners on a Gibson Les Paul with no modifications necessary.

Planet Waves Locking Tuning Machines With Auto Trimming
Planet Waves Locking Tuners For Gibson Les Paul

One of my favorite guitars is my Gibson Les Paul BFG and I use it in my live band regularly. It sounds great and has very unique tones for a Gibson. It’s also got fairly cheap parts on it thanks to Gibson building it as more of a budget Les Paul. Recently I was stringing it up and as I was putting on the low E-String the string windings lifted the post right out of the tuning machine! I couldn’t believe it because I had never had a problem with Grover Tuners before. Let’s  just say I’m less than impressed with the Grover Tuners build quality.   Continue reading “Planet Waves Auto-Trim Locking Tuners For Gibson Les Paul”

Fishman FT-1 Digital Clip-On Guitar Tuner Review

The Fishman FT-1 clip-on digital guitar tuner makes tuning your guitar fast, easy and convenient.

Fisman FT-1 Digital Guitar Tuner
Fishman FT-1 Digital Clip-On Guitar Tuner

          One thing I’m always looking for is a way to make things more convenient in my live band. The Fishman FT-1 Digital tuner is a great tuner to use if you want a quick, easy and fast tune. While not as accurate as some other tuners such as my Peterson 490-ST Strobe Tuner, the FT-1 is a great tuner to use if you need a quick tune on the fly. It’s great for tuning before practice or mid-song at a gig and is easily clipped on and off the guitar. You can also use this tuner on both your acoustic guitar and your electric guitar.    Continue reading “Fishman FT-1 Digital Clip-On Guitar Tuner Review”

The Hohner Blues Harp

The Hohner Blues Harp is a very easy instrument to learn and play the blues on. Even Abraham Lincoln played the Harmonica.

Hohner Blues Harp Harmonica
Hohner Blues Harp

   Mathias Hohner started making harmonicas in his kitchen in Trossingen, Germany. Amazingly, Hohner harmonicas are still made at a factory in Trossingen, Germany after all these years. I don’t think there’s any question that the Hohner Harmonica has had a profound influence on American music. The harmonica is one of the easiest and most fun instruments I have ever learned how to play. I play the awesome Hohner Blues Harp harmonica.

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You Need A P.A. System To Play A Gig

Review of Behringer PMP6000/B1520 PA Package and Yamaha EMX512SC/S115V PA System including powered mixer, microphones, monitors, speakers and cables.

Behringer PMP6000/B1520 Pro Mains And Monitors P.A. Package
Behringer PMP6000/B1520 Pro Mains And Monitors P.A. Package

 In a live band there are certain things you need when you play a Gig. The biggest and most important is a Public Address system. Without one you will not be able to amplify your singers properly. You just can’t get away with running the vocalist through a guitar amplifier.

Continue reading “You Need A P.A. System To Play A Gig”

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