Solo Act / One Man Band Thread........Tell All........

........You're equipment, the performance satisfaction, future hopes of your rig , etc.........

Assumptions :

1. You are a Vocalist.

2. You are proficient in an at least one instrument that you use for all performances.

3. You are not a Karaoke act.*

* I appreciate very much anyone who does Karaoke , so don't be offended if that's what you do , '3' is just a qualifier for this thread.

I sing tru dpa 4088 mic directly into a BOSE L1, no fx, no rev etc. Sabine wireless, Line6 Variax 700 acoustic. Everything flat EQ. Had a dream of top quality gear who sounded so transparent and clear that I could go flatQ and have killer sound. Here it is!

My consept is having a very wide cover repertoire, from Johnny Cash to Iron Maiden. Playing 100% autentic and real: No f*cking boxes, backing tracks, playback or other lame lazy tricks. Also to capture and deliver the wibe and essence of the song live. By practicing guitar and vocal technique, so I don't become another strummer in the corner.

Things going fine, very good. Don't have any special gear upgrade plans, might get the BOSE version 2, else I'm pretty sure I've got the very best for my act already.

........You're equipment, the performance satisfaction, future hopes of your rig , etc......... Assumptions : 1. You are a Vocalist. 2. You are proficient in an at least one instrument that you use for all performances. 3. You are not a Karaoke act.* * I appreciate very much anyone who does Karaoke , so don't be offended if that's what you do , '3' is just a qualifier for this thread.

Depending on the venue:

Small place (under 45 people) - Crate Limo50 on a Spkr. stand, Shure SM-58 (voice/racked harmonica), Digitech LV2 harmonizer, one of my Guild 6-string jumbos, my Taylor 355 12-string jumbo, sometimes my mid-40s Harmony 5-string open-back banjo, several Hohner "Big River Harp" harmonicas, and one of my Texas Toe Tappers (foot percussion).

Larger place (over 45 people) - Carvin PA1200 powered mixer, (2) Carvin LM12 FOH cabs on stands, Hot Spot monitor, Shure SM-58 (voice/racked harmonica), Digitech LV2 harmonizer, one or more of of my Guild 6-string jumbos, my Taylor 355 12-string jumbo, sometimes my mid-40s Harmony 5-string open-back banjo, several Hohner "Big River Harp" harmonicas, and one of my Texas Toe Tappers (foot percussion).

Band gigs, same as above, except I usually add a subwoofer or two.

The "satisfaction" aspect, besides the commercial (I often make, solo, what a 4- or 5-piece band makes), is that if someone calls out a "out-of-left-field" request, I don't have to wonder if the rhythm section will be able to follow me.

OTOH, working w/ a great rhythm section is a joy.

Future hopes? Just that 2009 will be as fruitful as 1988 through 2008 have been.

Mackie 450's or 350's depending on size of the place or Bose L1 Model 1 depending on the acoustics. Simon & Patrick 6 string and custom made, over 35 year old, 12 string. Both with EMG ACS acoustic pickups and sometimes put an SM57 on them at the same time. Digitech Vocalist Live 2 for very sneaky, subtle, low volume harmony and effect with Audix OM5. Yamaha Magicstomp for the 6 string on some tunes. All run through a Mackie 1202 VLZ Pro mixer for some folk, some blues, some ballads.

I enjoy doing a solo although I like to work with other players sometimes. I've sat in or shared the stage with a lot of other folks through the years. Like e021708 mentioned, it's a pisser just playing to the wall as we've all had to. I guess the idea is to share what I'm doing in a bit more intimate way than just be background or something to dance to.

I did it for a living for a year. Me on lead vocals/lead guitar and a full midi setup to include sequencer, keyboard, bass line, drum machine. I played and programmed everything myself. Unfortunately, I also had a full van load of equipment to set up and tear down by myself. People loved the act, I made a decent buck but after a year, I absolutely hated it. It's extremely tough to pull off a good solo act and it can be alot of work. Some guys thrive on it and others, like myself, learn to hate it. All you can do is try and see what works.

Fishman SoloAmp, Breedlove concert series acoustic-electric 6 string, Breedlove concert series acoustic-electric 12 string. Shure SM-58 (voice/racked harmonica)- 6 Jambone harps, Digitech LV2 harmonizer & Boss RC-2 Looper - mounted on a Gator pedalboard.

Satisfaction - I dunno yet. I have only been doing this part time for a few months. I do it cheap for now mostly just private parties by referral. I do a mix of country, blues, classic rock and some folk. I try to go light on the looper and harmonizer but It helps to break up the set and allows me to extend some of the songs a bit longer than I might play them normally.

I just plan to stay small time for a year or so until I feel I'm ready and try to network into some larger venues. I really do think that I need to make sure this is right for me. I have a friend doing it full time and I get the impression he gets quite lonely sometimes depending on the venus- ie. like a sports bar where every one is pretty much facing the other way talking and wathing TV. On the other hand, at least you do not put up with all the baggage that often comes with being in a band.

I play a weekly solo gig in addition to my band.

Up until recently I used an SM58, but I switched to a Sennheiser 85.

My guitar is a Lakewood J32CP run into a Baggs PADI. I use a Yorkville 100 watt keyboard amp that is wedge shaped (can't remember the model but I love it) for vox and guitar.

My setup/teardown is quick, usually one trip, and I consistently get positive comments on my sound. I've been running this gear pretty hard for a couple of years (except the new mic) with absolutely no problems.

I played for years in bands but at this point i've damaged my hearing too much to ever want to deal with loud guitarists and drummers again. But realizing that i was already providing a substantial part of the music (keys, vocals, left-hand bass) i've started on the one-mand band route. I know i've got a lot of practicing to do before i take this out of my bedroom, but here's where i'm at.

Instruments: Yamaha S08 keyboard, Alto Sax, Flute

Equipment: At this point i could gig with cobbling together what's left of the band PA - or just plug my mic into my keyboard amp and go with that - but looking for a cleaner solution.

Planning to get either a looper or harmony processor for a belated Christmas present to myself.

I use a sequencer for drum tracks and any parts that i don't have enough hands left to play live.

Repertoire is all over the map: 60's British invasion, classic light rock (Jimmy Buffet, Elton John, Jackson Browne, etc.), surf music, 80's synth-pop, modern rock, clichéd jazz standards, whatever --- nothing's too cheesy for me to play.

Sounds like a cool rig, how do you like your VL2 ?

It's the 1202 VLZ. I'm not familiar with the VL2's. It has always worked perfectly and is rugged as can be. It dropped off a music stand that I use to support it next to my stool on stage. Fell about 2.5 feet onto concrete and I can't find a scratch, dent or ding. I like to fine tune stuff and whatever I have feeding the channel can be tweaked to exactly what I want.

Little confusing setting up a powered monitor with it. If I'm running both 450 Mackies I use one of the 350's as monitor. The Mackie hookup guides seem vague and it took me awhile to figure the output jack/gain control combo with the solo button pushed in. Maybe it's just old creep aging up on me! Found the way to go with it and I can't think of a reason to replace it.

I use it to mix the Bose L1 also and that's after having used 2 Peavey 112's (way to heavy these days) with a QSC 1450 (outstanding power amp).

I used a Audiocentron 1200 watt pawer amp through two of the same cabs loaded with a 15 inch woofer and a horn.

I step-wrote ALL my songs . At 1st I did full arangements then I thought "this is just karry-o-key . So I went to just bass and drums with me on guitar. I think I was the only one in the world stupid enough to do this.It was a lot of work but I love music so.

I miced a strat through a little Peavy amp they made for awhile that was just like a blues junior.

Oops sorry about that, I was referring to your Digitech Vocalist Live 2.

I had the their earlier Vocalist Performer, that worked out well for me, but is not easy for everyone since you it needs to know what keys and scales you are using.

I'm leary of the VL2s and VL4s, though I understand the VL4 has onboard effects, which could be a huge + .

I say leary cause I don't think I'm convinced that I'd like running my guitar through it, my next set up is going to be quite complex so that aspect might very well exacerbate the set up further.

I like it. It's used sparingly as it keeps people off guard and just adds a hint of fill to the sound. You can keep the harmony level as low as you want and still maintain reverb, compression, etc. level/

The key is determined by the guitar feed and the guitar has a pass though to the amp and has not seemed effected in any way. It just seems to reference the note from the guitar and let the signal pass. The built in tuner is important and works perfectly. I avoided most of the earlier units that were midi based so the VL2 is simple to use.

There are a number of effects that can be used and the overall sound is quite good I think. As far as onboard effects, a lot of things can be added to the vocals in addition to harmony and unison and at different levels. It goes a 3rd or 5th high or low and it's a pain to change them with the box on the floor but I get by. I'm looking for someone to build a separate pedal that can be used to start/stop the harmony with the box up next to my mixer so I can change what I want easily.

The VL4 has even more but I have just not found a need for it. I admit I'm looking at the TC Helicon G that can hold a harmony note while you continue on with your singing. Not had a chance to use one yet but some of the videos on it look very good.

Here's my solo rig:

Gibson J45 acoustic

Boss chorus pedal

various Hohner Marine Band harmonicas with a Lee Oscar Harmonica rack

Shure SM86 condenser mic

T.C. Helicon VoiceTone Correct and VoiceTone Create vocal pedals (*** Please note: I use the Correct pedal for compression, EQ, etc; pitch correction I use only for practice sessions!)

For very small gigs I run into a Roland AC60 acoustic amp--a great little amp that easily handles both the guitar and the mic (including phantom power for the mic)

Anything larger and I run a small Yamaha mixer into two RCF Art-310a powered speakers--one pole-mounted, the other turned back toward me as a monitor.

well,i'm not a solo act...yet,but i do have the setup if i decided to go that route...

Cort MR780FX

Peavey Ecoustic 112

Berhinger XM8500...

i'm not good enough to call myself a "guitarist" yet...here's a vid i posted back in sept,it's pretty rough:facepalm:.some of you have seen it before...i've only been semi seriously playing since the end of march and i'm completely self taught now...i'm a whole lot better now...lmk what you think

[YOUTUBE][/YOUTUBE]

Damon

I used to use a Roland R5 at one point as a backup while I played guitar and sang. It had a decent drum sound and a programmable natural sounding bass. But that was a long, long time ago.

More recently, a few years ago, I released a solo CD of progressive rock material, but I had to hire a band for live performances.

However, I am thinking of upgrading my live rig to have a more modern "backup" solution for solo vocal/guitar work. Might be fun.

Dont forget a kazooo.. Here's a local guy named Mike Hosty rocking out on the guitar, drums, vocals, and the KAZOOOOO!

I love doing my solo act. Been doing it 22 years. I have only been in a full band for a year now. Anyway, as much fun as I am having with the band, I'll never give up the solo. It's so hassle free and self contained. And pays slightly better. I just use a peavy powered mixer and speakers. Use a little delay rather than reverb as my effect, sparingly on both the guitar and vocals. I play a Taylor mahogany dread. A 510, for anyone who knows the model. Like another poster, I always used a Shure 58 mic but recently switched to a Sennheiser 835. I don't mind requests and have a repertoire of about 600 tunes. I also write and have a CD of my own stuff, but covers are my main thing.

I have to say though, the full band thing is one of the most fun things I have ever done. Isn't that wild, I played music for 30 years and hadn't ever been in a band (not since the high school/not very good band that played for free a handful of times, haha)

600 tunes..but no kazoo

600 tunes..but no kazoo

Ok, you made me look. Honestly I don't dig the kazoo there It's funny though ...

But I did like the singer and the groove of the tune, very much ...

Lol.. yeah he's trying to be funny. He has two different shows.. The Hosty Duo and the Hosty Solo. He's mimicking the solo from his guitarist with the kazoo:D..

He actually wrote that song fyi. It's being made famous by Stoney Larou right now, but that's his song. Kind of cool since I could go get a guitar lesson from the guy anytime I wanted to.

base set up for acoustic is:

mic: atm-710 or at-2010

Vocalist 4, for harmonies and guitar effects.

Cordoba slim line, nylon sting guitar, or, godin slim neck nylon guitar.

and a Crate 60w acoustic amp

when more is needed I use my laptop with band in a box.

and when more amplification is needed, I use my mackie dfx12 mixer and 2 or 4 berhinger 12 inch active speakers....

Omar

Still kind of a rookie at the solo thing, but here's what I use:

Larrivee D-03 with a K&K Western pickup played through a Baggs Para DI

I do have a loop pedal, but haven't rehearsed with it enough to use it in a gig.

Shure SM-58

Yamaha EMX512 Powered Mixer - I use reverb on the mixer

cheap Peavey speakers

really cheap Kustom Monitor

My first upgrade is going to be better speakers and a powered monitor. I've played some noisy bars and need better speakers for more volume and clarity. A powered monitor will free up some of the mixer's power.

I'm a one man show and never knew how enjoyable that could be. My set up is:

Bose System L1 (wonderful unit)

TC Helicon G for harmonies

Rainsong AWS1000

Audix OM2

I use some slight delay and chorus on the channel I play through. Both the vocal and the guitar go through this. It is just a slight touch to add some depth. The effects in the Bose are the most professional I have heard.

I play old rock and roll, old country, old folk and old pop music. If it's old I probably play it. I am adding Flightless Bird; American Mouth and Crazy Arms.

I have a five stop curcuit I play every month made up exclusively of Retirement Homes. These people grew up with the music I play. And since I'm 62 and grey headed, the can identify with me easily. They are a very appreciative audience.

Oh, I'll be adding a Larrivee DV 3RE and an Alvarez MD350C to my collection soon. The Rainsong will have some competition.