Essentials For Singers that Are Starting Out Singing in a Band

seanvz

What are the essential for a new singer trying to start a band and to do some light recording. Not too professional recording at this point.

I am thinking a mic stand. I have a pretty good starter's mic. I have a guitar amp that I can also plug a microphone into.

Any more suggestions? And specific suggestions of the brand and model numbers of the items if possible, please?

Wigs

For my home karaoke setup I use my girlfriends old PA speaker and as far as mic stands go, the cheap ones are fine if you dont do any adjusting, the cheap plastic parts wear out pretty quickly. I cant help with much else except for suggesting to go to a proper music and instrument store and have a chat to the people there.

Adam164

I’ve recently started with a band. The first thing I noticed at my first practice was it was that the instruments (especially drums) were way too loud standing next to them. Next problem was trying to hear myself while wearing dB-limiting earplugs. As of now, my solution is in-ear monitors. They reduce the ambient sound level while letting me hear myself. The trick is to get the monitoring system connected to the mixer properly and finding the right input level. I’m using a Shure wireless monitor. It’a expensive, but definitely worth it to save my hearing and save my voice (from over-singing).
I’m also using a small (personal) mixer to add reverb just to my monitors. That helps me stay on pitch.
Despite all of this, I’ve found that singing in a band is much different from recording or singing karaoke. I still have a hard time controlling my voice in that setting. I am surprised by how difficult it can be to control pitch, since that had never been an issue before the band.

CassYoung

I know this comment was from almost a year ago and you will already have your things but here is some to upgrade to if you're looking for other suggestions

As someone whos been in a local cover band for 8 years, In-ear monitors have saved me. I use a Shure wireless and you can get inexpensive earbuds on amazon (if you're not an audiophile).
I've never sung better than with these because I can finally hear myself without oversinging.
I also use a Shure wireless mic system that I love but I don't play an instrument so I like the freedom it gives me while moving around. I'd tell you what it is but I've had it so long that it's discontinued haha.
If you're also using a lyrics sheet, try out the app BandHelper.
You can put the chords in, it's relatively inexpensive (annual subscription of like $30) and you can have your entire band on it, make set lists on the fly, etc.

LizRose

Gonna check out the app BandHelper! And yes the in-ears are great but there are times (I’m the lead singer and the only one who uses them) I feel I’m disconnected fro the band so I keep one in-ear out for balance