Equipment recommendations for new callers

My recommendation for a new caller would be:

• get a good microphone - not the most expensive one you can find, but a good one. Try several at a local store, ask other callers, exploit a 30-day-money-back-guarantee, if you can. My favourites:
  • ElectroVoice (257 and) 457, the new caller standard microphones (I prefer my 457 when I need to use a YakStak),
  • Shure SM 58, a really classic vocal microphone. Less bass than EV, but clear, rugged, cheaper. I prefer it with my PA speakers. (I have a wireless AKG C410 too, but that's probably not your price range...)
• get a Hilton-type microphone cable, if you want to do guest tips somewhere else. Cheap alternative: get a standard microphone cable and an impedance transformer - microphones have low impedances, the Hilton input a high one.

• If you are not sure whether calling is your hobby for life, try to borrow a set for the first months.

• Look into MiniDisc technology. Ask friends who use it about it. It's new, it's very good, it's small, it might be a little more $$. It's not everybody's taste. You still have to buy records, but you don't have to carry them around.
• If you want to use records on stage, a standard SD set (like Hilton's 201) might be best choice. Get a used one.
• If you want to use MiniDisc on stage, a set with included turntable (i.e. Hilton 201, 500) is wasted money. Get a small power mixer instead.
• Do-it-yourself is possible, but it takes much time and does not save very much money. It is lot of fun, and you can tailor your system to your needs. Contact me if you want more info.

• Have a look at your local PA store and listen to the speakers they offer. Take a cassette tape with some good SD music and a good C&W CD and compare. Have a special look at two-way bass reflex speakers with 10" bass speakers. The 12" systems are much heavier (15+ kg), but still interesting, 15" systems are too big for clubnight use. If you are a little masochistic, compare a YakStack with a brand-name 12"-2" PA speaker using a Garth Brooks CD as music source. (Then you probably understand my dislike for YakStacks...)
• You can combine a Hilton and a PA speaker without problem.