Good news! You and your band just got hired for a paying gig. All your hard work may finally come to mean something for your wallet. But to play the performance, you will have to find and use some more audio equipment, including main speakers. Since you have not had to use much audio equipment yet, you will need to learn how this extra gear right now.

Your band may be large or small, but you need to have at least an amplifier and main speakers. Naturally, an audio system is required for your vocalist, and other singers. Depending on the size of your band budget, main speakers, a main amplifier, and a sound mixer are the recommended audio equipment.

You will have two basic choices for your main amplifier unit. You may want to go with a single unit that is both a power amplifier and a mixer. Some of these units even have an equalizer that will give you more flexibility to adjust for poor room acoustics. This single unit will have outputs for left and right main speakers, as well as a monitor speaker.

This type of single unit audio equipment is an excellent choice for the small band, or for a group that is just starting to perform for the public. Also, it is the perfect solution for a band that does not have a dedicated person just to run the sound.

Using a component system, comprised of main speakers, monitor speaker, a mixer, and a power amplifier is the preferred method for utilizing audio equipment. Using a variety of speakers and amplifiers as separate components, you can achieve greater choices and range of sound options. Obviously, the setup time for a performance is increased with more equipment. And, your upfront equipment costs are steeper than a more sparse approach. But, your band will be able to accommodate more instruments and singers later at no additional cost.

As you are building your audio equipment system, you will need to decide on how many speakers you want to use. You should seriously consider going with two main speakers, traditionally a left and right stage speaker, and at least one monitor speaker. For any set other than a very small room, this should be your basic speaker support.

Regarding monitor speakers, you may be able to survive with one monitor if your band members are relatively close on stage. If members are not closely arranged, you will need more monitors. You should not skimp here, since performers need to hear themselves and the rest of the group in order to perform their best. Monitor speakers are critical to good band performances.

Main speakers are used to balance your band sound in the room, so place them to enhance the sound. While the left and right speaker terminology is used, this is not a reference to stereophonic band sound. It is merely a reference to stage placement. Each speaker produces the same sounds as all other main speakers.

You will find that consolidating your cable runs with an audio snake is extremely beneficial. A snake is a large cable made up of several smaller cables wrapped into one, with a connection box at one end. By using this snake, you can easily connect many separate audio equipment items to your amplifier. Even better, you may choose to use another snake for organize your speaker wires.

There are many different strategies for your band microphones. For sure, each vocalist will need an individual microphone. Shared mics can be used for show, but the actual sound reproduction of each vocalist is greatly diminished. And with individual mics, each can be adjusted for the vocal qualities of the singer.

Acoustic instruments should also be individually amplified with either microphones or pickups. Use the fewest microphones you can to avoid having a feedback problem. Fitting acoustic instruments with pickups rather than mics will help maintain the quality of sound.

Every band has the problem of matching the sound that runs through the main audio system with the sound that is produced by on-stage amps. This can be solved by having an input line from the individual amplifier to the main audio system. That way, the sound person may be able to blend the on-stage sound with the main speaker system sound. This can be ideal for both the individual band member, and the group. When properly balanced, you will have a great overall band sound, and, at the same time, the individual performances of your band members can be heard.