microphone amplifier

[lilley]

Hey guys!

Me and the band are startin to get semi-serous as were composin loads of our own stuff and are going to start gigging around and we all have are own basic equiptment except for myself with no microphone amp... I was wondering if anyone would know how much you would expect to pay for a relatively basic one?

Cheers
James

[Alonso]

Hmmm what I do with my "band" is just connecting the microphone to a guitar amplifier which has a "mic in" jack..  8-)

Or connecting the microphone to the "mic in" of a keyboard, if it has it...

[dcunning30]

If you need a microphone amp just for rehearsals, then a keyboard amp or even a guitar amp can work.  When you gig out, most venues already have PA's, so you shouldn't worry about that.  But if you want to gig at outdoor places or others that don't have PA's, then you might want to hold off on a microphone amp and you and your band-mates may want to spring for an inexpensive PA.  Definately go used to save money.  Or, you can get a mic amp and just rent a PA if the ocassion calls for it.

[lilley]

right well right now its just for general composing and practicing. and i tried with one of the guitar amps and that was fine. I would just like a good quality, small (10-20) amp to use myself so we can practice properly.

What would i be looking to pay for? and i would almost definately go used yes.

Cheers

[dcunning30]

I would just like a good quality, small (10-20) amp to use myself so we can practice properly.

Assuming you mean a small 10-20 watt amp, that won't do at all.  Once the drummer starts up, you'll be perpetually drowned out, ......unless you're playing swing and the drummer is using brushes.  

Anyway, you want at least 50-60 watts minimum for vocals.

What would i be looking to pay for? and i would almost definately go used yes.

I don't know about UK prices but a bare basic used PA just for rehearsals would run about $250-$300 USD

[dcunning30]

And while we're on the subject of amplification, here's a concept:

A 100 watt amp is only twice as loud as a 10 watt amp.

[lilley]

well

at the moment, the bassist has his 20 watt amp,  and the guitaris is in a 20 watt marshall. ive borrowed a 10 watt for my vocals over the last few days and the drums and the rest arent quite drowning me out... just. So would it really be necesarry to spend out that much, thats what?