Comments on: Gear for singers: how investing in good equipment is not just for the band! http://www.tehillamusic.com/2008/12/30/gear-for-singers-how-investing-in-good-equipment-is-not-just-for-the-band/ leading the church in worship through music and beyond... Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:49:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Rich Kirkpatrick http://www.tehillamusic.com/2008/12/30/gear-for-singers-how-investing-in-good-equipment-is-not-just-for-the-band/comment-page-1/#comment-133 Rich Kirkpatrick Thu, 01 Jan 2009 19:43:18 +0000 http://tehillamusic.com/?p=193#comment-133 Jan... use Jimmy's questions!! They are perfect for your issue. Jan… use Jimmy’s questions!! They are perfect for your issue.

]]> By: Rich Kirkpatrick http://www.tehillamusic.com/2008/12/30/gear-for-singers-how-investing-in-good-equipment-is-not-just-for-the-band/comment-page-1/#comment-132 Rich Kirkpatrick Thu, 01 Jan 2009 19:36:13 +0000 http://tehillamusic.com/?p=193#comment-132 Eric and Tom... instrumentalists already know this stuff, eh? The goal is to both ask the commitment issues Jimmy puts forward then the idea that singers are musicians needs to be there as well. The voice is an instrument! Eric and Tom… instrumentalists already know this stuff, eh? The goal is to both ask the commitment issues Jimmy puts forward then the idea that singers are musicians needs to be there as well. The voice is an instrument!

]]> By: jan owen http://www.tehillamusic.com/2008/12/30/gear-for-singers-how-investing-in-good-equipment-is-not-just-for-the-band/comment-page-1/#comment-131 jan owen Thu, 01 Jan 2009 19:35:40 +0000 http://tehillamusic.com/?p=193#comment-131 Rich, I agree. We just upgraded our mics maybe two years ago (not as high as your recommendation but a huge step up for us) and I've been so pleased. Now I'm looking to do the in ear thing. Here's the catch for us - I have a huge problem getting vocalists to realize they might need to actually spend some money for their earbuds. They just aren't used to it and really are spoiled a bit by their "free" instrument. I can work out the cost of the in ear packs, etc. but they would need to buy their own earbuds and I am not sure I can convince them to. Still working on it. Rich, I agree. We just upgraded our mics maybe two years ago (not as high as your recommendation but a huge step up for us) and I’ve been so pleased. Now I’m looking to do the in ear thing. Here’s the catch for us – I have a huge problem getting vocalists to realize they might need to actually spend some money for their earbuds. They just aren’t used to it and really are spoiled a bit by their “free” instrument. I can work out the cost of the in ear packs, etc. but they would need to buy their own earbuds and I am not sure I can convince them to. Still working on it.

]]> By: Rich Kirkpatrick http://www.tehillamusic.com/2008/12/30/gear-for-singers-how-investing-in-good-equipment-is-not-just-for-the-band/comment-page-1/#comment-130 Rich Kirkpatrick Thu, 01 Jan 2009 19:34:34 +0000 http://tehillamusic.com/?p=193#comment-130 Jimmy... that is GREAT stuff right there you just wrote. Jimmy… that is GREAT stuff right there you just wrote.

]]> By: Matt Anderson http://www.tehillamusic.com/2008/12/30/gear-for-singers-how-investing-in-good-equipment-is-not-just-for-the-band/comment-page-1/#comment-129 Matt Anderson Thu, 01 Jan 2009 02:46:47 +0000 http://tehillamusic.com/?p=193#comment-129 Wow, lots of talk. I personally am a guitarist/bassist and vocalist. Which means that I have three instruments to invest in. I am also a youth pastor which means getting all this stuff at the highest end is out of the question. I have a nice $300 electric that sounds great, I just bought a Boss peddle that was just $160 and a DI box for $60. I havn't played with the peddle yet to know what it sounds like. I have a nice Dean bass that was on clearance. I want to get vocal stuff, but yea, I've already invested a lot (for a Youth Pastor) in equipment. On the side, and not related to music, I do wood working, which costs money. The reality is some of us can't spend a lot of money on vocal equipment. I agree that they (we) should invest in equipment, but for me it's going to have to be an SM 58, and a few years until I get in-ears. Anyway, all that to say, I think it's a good to invest and care, but it is also important to be practical with what you buy, if something will sounds good and not cost a lot get that, and not the best, it's being a better steward of the money God blessed you with. This is a long comment. Wow, lots of talk. I personally am a guitarist/bassist and vocalist. Which means that I have three instruments to invest in. I am also a youth pastor which means getting all this stuff at the highest end is out of the question. I have a nice $300 electric that sounds great, I just bought a Boss peddle that was just $160 and a DI box for $60. I havn’t played with the peddle yet to know what it sounds like. I have a nice Dean bass that was on clearance. I want to get vocal stuff, but yea, I’ve already invested a lot (for a Youth Pastor) in equipment. On the side, and not related to music, I do wood working, which costs money. The reality is some of us can’t spend a lot of money on vocal equipment. I agree that they (we) should invest in equipment, but for me it’s going to have to be an SM 58, and a few years until I get in-ears. Anyway, all that to say, I think it’s a good to invest and care, but it is also important to be practical with what you buy, if something will sounds good and not cost a lot get that, and not the best, it’s being a better steward of the money God blessed you with. This is a long comment.

]]> By: Eric Frisch http://www.tehillamusic.com/2008/12/30/gear-for-singers-how-investing-in-good-equipment-is-not-just-for-the-band/comment-page-1/#comment-128 Eric Frisch Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:05:20 +0000 http://tehillamusic.com/?p=193#comment-128 I do think it's important for vocalists to be conscious of the money that their instrumental counterparts spend and invest accordingly. The vocalists at our church don't have much $ in their gear, but they don't really need to, either. We have a variety of Shure, Sennheiser, and EV mics (all wired) and an Aviom system, so the only major thing has been their actually monitors (a cost which has, of course, hit the instrumentalists as well!). For my own part, I do own a Shure SM86 wireless system, and have a Shure in-ear system with custom molded monitors, as well. I use that gear whether I'm in my own church or just about anywhere else. I do think it’s important for vocalists to be conscious of the money that their instrumental counterparts spend and invest accordingly. The vocalists at our church don’t have much $ in their gear, but they don’t really need to, either. We have a variety of Shure, Sennheiser, and EV mics (all wired) and an Aviom system, so the only major thing has been their actually monitors (a cost which has, of course, hit the instrumentalists as well!). For my own part, I do own a Shure SM86 wireless system, and have a Shure in-ear system with custom molded monitors, as well. I use that gear whether I’m in my own church or just about anywhere else.

]]> By: Tom http://www.tehillamusic.com/2008/12/30/gear-for-singers-how-investing-in-good-equipment-is-not-just-for-the-band/comment-page-1/#comment-125 Tom Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:03:04 +0000 http://tehillamusic.com/?p=193#comment-125 Great start Rich! As you know I am a multi-instrumentalist playing Bass, Acoustic, and Electric Guitars it has been a challenge over the years to get the right equipment for the job. Much less the right amp's, and or tone. Strings alone run over $100.00 for my 6string fretless and as you also know can be a financial challenge when they need to be replaced in 6 weeks time depending on use. Try having all the guitars re-strung at one time $$$$$$$$ I agree with the SM58 comments it is a reliable durable mic with decent tone. But it would be great if you could get one of your local music stores to do a “mic shoot out” for your vocalists to hear what the differences are. They then could determine what tone and sound they want, and possibly have more than one mic so they could adapt to different venues. Either way it is nice to see you bring this subject to light, the band has been scratching there collective heads for years wondering if the vocalists actually have a clue as to what it really takes to pull a great sound off. The ear buds get my vote for first priority purchase. Good work, keep it up. Tom Great start Rich! As you know I am a multi-instrumentalist playing Bass, Acoustic, and Electric Guitars it has been a challenge over the years to get the right equipment for the job. Much less the right amp’s, and or tone. Strings alone run over $100.00 for my 6string fretless and as you also know can be a financial challenge when they need to be replaced in 6 weeks time depending on use. Try having all the guitars re-strung at one time $$$$$$$$
I agree with the SM58 comments it is a reliable durable mic with decent tone. But it would be great if you could get one of your local music stores to do a “mic shoot out” for your vocalists to hear what the differences are. They then could determine what tone and sound they want, and possibly have more than one mic so they could adapt to different venues.
Either way it is nice to see you bring this subject to light, the band has been scratching there collective heads for years wondering if the vocalists actually have a clue as to what it really takes to pull a great sound off.
The ear buds get my vote for first priority purchase.

Good work, keep it up.
Tom

]]> By: Jimmy Smith http://www.tehillamusic.com/2008/12/30/gear-for-singers-how-investing-in-good-equipment-is-not-just-for-the-band/comment-page-1/#comment-124 Jimmy Smith Tue, 30 Dec 2008 23:15:10 +0000 http://tehillamusic.com/?p=193#comment-124 Great article Rich! Investing in equipment that can reproduce the best sound is critical for every position on a worship team. And while every person on every team is different, I'd start by asking each team member four questions: 1. Has God called you to be on this worship team? 2. Does God expect your best? 3. How committed are you to giving Him your very best? 4. Are you willing to invest financially in yourself and in your talents as a vocalist to give God more than what we've been giving Him? We need to help vocalists to see and understand that their voice is an instrument and like with all instruments, it takes more than just an investment of time to reach your potential. Thanks again, Rich! Good stuff. Jimmy Smith All Praise Ministries Great article Rich! Investing in equipment that can reproduce the best sound is critical for every position on a worship team. And while every person on every team is different, I’d start by asking each team member four questions:

1. Has God called you to be on this worship team?
2. Does God expect your best?
3. How committed are you to giving Him your very best?
4. Are you willing to invest financially in yourself and in your talents as a vocalist to give God more than what we’ve been giving Him?

We need to help vocalists to see and understand that their voice is an instrument and like with all instruments, it takes more than just an investment of time to reach your potential.

Thanks again, Rich! Good stuff.

Jimmy Smith
All Praise Ministries

]]> By: Gary Durbin http://www.tehillamusic.com/2008/12/30/gear-for-singers-how-investing-in-good-equipment-is-not-just-for-the-band/comment-page-1/#comment-123 Gary Durbin Tue, 30 Dec 2008 23:12:15 +0000 http://tehillamusic.com/?p=193#comment-123 Hi...my name is Gary, and I'm a sound idiot, and I'm a worship leader. Is that an oxymoron? My drummer has in-ears, and the rest of us use wedges. Would definitely like to advance to in-ears someday, but finances are too tight for that now. Hi…my name is Gary, and I’m a sound idiot, and I’m a worship leader. Is that an oxymoron? My drummer has in-ears, and the rest of us use wedges. Would definitely like to advance to in-ears someday, but finances are too tight for that now.

]]> By: Larry http://www.tehillamusic.com/2008/12/30/gear-for-singers-how-investing-in-good-equipment-is-not-just-for-the-band/comment-page-1/#comment-122 Larry Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:26:36 +0000 http://tehillamusic.com/?p=193#comment-122 SM58s are like the honda civics of microphones. The work pretty well, theyre durable, but there never going to be a corvette. Serious vocalists should look to own their own equipment. I would suggest that investing in your gifts and developing them is your responsibility. Money is always an issue, and budgets are always tight, personal & church, but where does personal responsibility become a top priority? Tough to say, its different for everyone. Strangely enough, one of the best keyboardists/pianists I've ever met doesnt own his own instrument, but has led worship since he was 6 and has been highly sought to play venues across the globe... SM58s are like the honda civics of microphones. The work pretty well, theyre durable, but there never going to be a corvette. Serious vocalists should look to own their own equipment. I would suggest that investing in your gifts and developing them is your responsibility. Money is always an issue, and budgets are always tight, personal & church, but where does personal responsibility become a top priority? Tough to say, its different for everyone.

Strangely enough, one of the best keyboardists/pianists I’ve ever met doesnt own his own instrument, but has led worship since he was 6 and has been highly sought to play venues across the globe…

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