Starting a band

[TooShort4]

So me and my 3 friends and I have a band called Black Sand. We need more stuff (mixers, better microphones) and I was wondering if anyone knew any good online music stores? Thanks. Also, any sites that sell stage equipment such as spotlights and strobe lights and such? Thank you.

[lancewiget]

www.thisbandwillbomb.co.uk helped my band... we split up soon after though.

[xxxKevinxxx™]

www.musiciansfriend.com

[TooShort4]

straightedgex said:

www.musiciansfriend.com

Thats the one I was looking for! Thanks.

G-Hash. . . Il show you man, we have already played together, and we have potential. We have been a band for about 2 weeks practicing everyday, and we do have potential.

[Deleted]

It's going to take alot longer then 2 weeks to know if you hav potential.




Best of luck with it though.

[uzerx]

It's alot cheaper and easier just going to people you know with equipment and paying them. If you've only played for 2 weeks and want to record, you don't know anything about being in a band.

[TooShort4]

3livekru said:

It's going to take alot longer then 2 weeks to know if you hav potential.




Best of luck with it though.

Not at all. We already all are experienced musicians I guess you could say, and we just jammed together everyday, and I think it will do well. . . = potential.

Slay Em. . .I never said anything about recording. . .

[uzerx]

There is really no use for mixers other than recording. A vocal amp is all you need mic wise.

[TommyHyland46]

uzerx said:

There is really no use for mixers other than recording. A vocal amp is all you need mic wise.

need mixers for live shows to run through the PA..........

[Blackbird 13]

uzerx said:

There is really no use for mixers other than recording. A vocal amp is all you need mic wise.

..... how do you figure? If you're playing events in bars, clubs, restaurants, or whatever else (which you'll have to do to make any sort of money playing music), then you have to have a PA system. To run the PA system, you have to have a mixer... how is there no use for a mixer?

But yeah, Musician's Friend is alright (although it's just Guitar Center online), you should also check out www.americanmusical.com , as well as craigslist, as used gear can be just as good as new gear.

Good luck man.

[zombiesx]

straightedgex said:

www.musiciansfriend.com

Yeah that seems like the best place.

[v/\v]

good luck with your band man.

[uzerx]

blackbird13 said:

uzerx said:

There is really no use for mixers other than recording. A vocal amp is all you need mic wise.

..... how do you figure? If you're playing events in bars, clubs, restaurants, or whatever else (which you'll have to do to make any sort of money playing music), then you have to have a PA system. To run the PA system, you have to have a mixer... how is there no use for a mixer?

But yeah, Musician's Friend is alright (although it's just Guitar Center online), you should also check out www.americanmusical.com , as well as craigslist, as used gear can be just as good as new gear.

Good luck man.

The places you play DONT have mixers?

[Blackbird 13]

uzerx said:

blackbird13 said:

..... how do you figure? If you're playing events in bars, clubs, restaurants, or whatever else (which you'll have to do to make any sort of money playing music), then you have to have a PA system. To run the PA system, you have to have a mixer... how is there no use for a mixer?

But yeah, Musician's Friend is alright (although it's just Guitar Center online), you should also check out www.americanmusical.com , as well as craigslist, as used gear can be just as good as new gear.

Good luck man.

The places you play DONT have mixers?

That depends really. When I'm we play down in the Outer Banks of NC at a bigger club like Kelly's, or up in DC at Whitlows, sure, they have PA. And when we've been booked to open for Rascal Flatts, Phil Vassar, the Gin Blossoms, or Chris Cagle, they have the PA. But.. when we're at some local club.. 9 times out of 10, they don't have a PA. Course.. we charge them if we're bringing ours.. but still...

And it's strange to me.. because the majority of clubs in America don't have PA systems. Clubs in Nashville, Seattle, New York, LA, maybe like ten places probably do.. but the average club doesn't, at least not if it's clubs where you're the one and only band for the night.

[ultimatethey]

If you think you have "potential" within 2 weeks, you are full of yourself.

But TooShort4 i can tell you this right now, be prepared to have harsh comments and good comments and why would you want stage equipment like spotlights and stobe lights? that is just stupid because you only been a band for 2 weeks and you are blowing all of this money, you can always say "oh well we are a great band nothing will happen" you can always think that but you will never know what could happen within a month or two and you spent all of that money.

[Blackbird 13]

ultimatethey said:

If you think you have "potential" within 2 weeks, you are full of yourself.

But TooShort4 i can tell you this right now, be prepared to have harsh comments and good comments and why would you want stage equipment like spotlights and stobe lights? that is just stupid because you only been a band for 2 weeks and you are blowing all of this money, you can always say "oh well we are a great band nothing will happen" you can always think that but you will never know what could happen within a month or two and you spent all of that money.

To throw in another perspective....

I enjoy the hell out of playing music.. but it's a business, the same as a plumber, a computer tech, or any other professional. Now.. you can start a service business (which is what a musician is) by going out and buying the best of everything, and that looks impressive. However.. if it fails, it fails miserably.

If you actually plan on playing shows and making money... I would suggest to start small. Buy a mixer, a crossover, some subs, some tops, and perhaps an LED bar if you have to get lights of some kind (or maybe some cheap used cans on craigslist). Then, as you make money, upgrade your sytem. Trust me, you'll find that you have more stuff than you know what to do with!

On the other hand, if you view it as a hobby, and just wanna play around, disregard the above.. and do whatever it is that makes your hobby more fun for you.

Good luck..

[TooShort4]

blackbird13 said:

ultimatethey said:

If you think you have "potential" within 2 weeks, you are full of yourself.

But TooShort4 i can tell you this right now, be prepared to have harsh comments and good comments and why would you want stage equipment like spotlights and stobe lights? that is just stupid because you only been a band for 2 weeks and you are blowing all of this money, you can always say "oh well we are a great band nothing will happen" you can always think that but you will never know what could happen within a month or two and you spent all of that money.

To throw in another perspective....

I enjoy the hell out of playing music.. but it's a business, the same as a plumber, a computer tech, or any other professional. Now.. you can start a service business (which is what a musician is) by going out and buying the best of everything, and that looks impressive. However.. if it fails, it fails miserably.

If you actually plan on playing shows and making money... I would suggest to start small. Buy a mixer, a crossover, some subs, some tops, and perhaps an LED bar if you have to get lights of some kind (or maybe some cheap used cans on craigslist). Then, as you make money, upgrade your sytem. Trust me, you'll find that you have more stuff than you know what to do with!

On the other hand, if you view it as a hobby, and just wanna play around, disregard the above.. and do whatever it is that makes your hobby more fun for you.

Good luck..

I know it will be years before we are good, but I just tend to think ahead. I'm ready for all the criticism to come.

[Suckasays]

blackbird13 said:

uzerx said:

The places you play DONT have mixers?

That depends really. When I'm we play down in the Outer Banks of NC at a bigger club like Kelly's, or up in DC at Whitlows, sure, they have PA. And when we've been booked to open for Rascal Flatts, Phil Vassar, the Gin Blossoms, or Chris Cagle, they have the PA. But.. when we're at some local club.. 9 times out of 10, they don't have a PA. Course.. we charge them if we're bringing ours.. but still...

And it's strange to me.. because the majority of clubs in America don't have PA systems. Clubs in Nashville, Seattle, New York, LA, maybe like ten places probably do.. but the average club doesn't, at least not if it's clubs where you're the one and only band for the night.

That's weird. Every place I ever played around here had a PA system unless it was booked on a college campus or something.

[hartbreakkid!]

check out www.guitarcenter.com I buy all of my stuff there and they seem to have the best prices.

[BcBlingin- Scooter Glenwood]

www.useddjgear.com/