Outlined below is the list of equipment which will be used when providing recommendations for different recordings scenarios and applications. 

Equipment will be separated into 3 tiers, these tiers are set at different price points depending on your needs.

Tier 1: Intro

Tier 2: Developing

Tier 3: Established

Live Sound Mixers:

Choosing a mixer for your program is an important part of getting started with live sound. Mixers are the most important part of sound reinforcement or amplification (aside from speakers) as they are what handle all of the signal processing, and mixing capabilities. Before you begin looking, ask yourself, what kind of applications will you be using this mixer for? Will this be permanently installed, rack mounted, or will it need to be portable for uses in different spaces? How many inputs do you need? Are you planning on amplifying multiple microphones or just need one to talk into? If you are using multiple microphones, do they require phantom power (extra voltage supplied by the mixer to power condenser type microphones). Are effects important to you, such as reverb, delay or basic EQ? From this, it is easy to become overwhelmed when searching for your first mixer, there are hundreds of options ranging from a couple hundred dollars to several thousands of dollars. To that end, in my attempt to simplify the choices, I broke down the mixer types into categories and broke them down further from there.

Type 1: Line Level Mixers

When it comes to mixers, most fall into one of two categories, digital or analog. Analog mixers are fully capable mixers that usually don’t break the bank. They can be found in a variety of different configurations with I/O ranging from 2-44 channels. These mixers usually have a variety of connections though some of the smaller board options may be limited when it comes to the amount of XLR type inputs. What differentiates analog from powered analog mixers is the need for an external amplifier when using it with passive speakers.  

Key Features: 

• Inputs range from 2-44 Channels

• Input types: XLR, 1/4in and RCA

• Output types: XLR and 1/4in 

• Most have Phantom Power

• Most have USB Recording capabilities

Pros:

• Least expensive option

• Easy to operate

• Small Footprint

• Lighter than powered 

• Larger number of channels

Cons

• Require a separate amplifier for speakers.

• USB Recording is usually two channels (L/R)

Type 2: Powered Mixers

Powered mixers are similar to analog mixers in that they don’t contain a digital interface or processing like digital mixers do. Unlike analog mixers, these types of mixers include a built-in powered amplifier for connecting and using passive speakers which require an additional amplifier to run. Because of this, these mixers are generally bigger and bulkier than their non powered counterparts but also contain less inputs. 

• Range from 5-20 Channels

• Input Types: XLR, 1/4in and RCA Phantom Power

• Output Type: 1/4in, Speakon

• Most have USB Recording

Pros:

• More expensive than analog mixers

• Easy to operate

• Does not require a separate power amplifier

Cons

• USB Recording is usually two channels (L/R)

• Heavier than Line Level mixers

Type 3: Digital Mixers

Digital Mixers operate similar to analog mixers but instead use digital components to process signal, effects and processing. These mixers have the most amount of flexibility as they can contain a high number of channels while still using a relatively small amount of faders. Because faders can be assigned, you can use digital stage boxes to expand your mixer inputs or route them from a different location. These mixers can also use digital protocols such as DANTE or MADI to transmit and receive high amounts of audio data to different places at once. Because of this, these types of mixers are the most expensive variety of mixers and don’t come in powered output varieties and will need amplifiers if using passive speakers. Lastly, these mixers usually allow the use of a network router to allow for remote access and control via a computer, tablet or phone.

• Range from 2-1,136 Channels with most falling in the 8, 16, 32, 40, 48 and 64 channel range

• Input Types: XLR, 1/4in, combojack, and RCA 

• Output Type: XLR and 1/4in

• Most have USB Recording

Pros:

• Most expensive type of mixer

• Several ways to operate (Built-in Faders, Control Surface, Digitally) 

• Modular and expandable

• Often come in rack mounted varieties 

• Advanced routing options and signal processing capabilities

• More channels available

• Most have true multi-track recording capabilities

• Able to save and recall scenes and shows for faster set-up 

Cons

• More expensive

• May require the purchase of separate stage boxes or modules to get the full use of available channels

• Different type of workflow when it comes to working with fader banks

• Still requires amplifiers when using passive speakers. 

Speakers

Speakers are the next important thing to get when looking at amplifying your ensembles, a great set of speakers will not only sound great but will last years to come. Speakers can be divided into two categories (Active and Passive) and then further categorized by style (___, Line Array, etc). It is important to remember that speakers also come in different types such as (subs, mains, and monitors)

Types of Speakers: 

PA Speakers 

Public Address Speakers or PA Speakers are what you think of when it comes to speakers. These speakers come in all shapes and sizes, often containing one, two or three drivers within the housing. These speakers will usually contain a Woofer and a Tweeter. Woofers are designed to reproduce the majority of the sound while tweeters are designed to reproduce the high frequencies of the sound spectrum. Thes can typically be found in full range configurations in which one speaker housing contains both a woofer(s) and a tweeter. 

Speakers can often be further broken down into different types of speakers depending on the size, shape and application. The two most common are Point-Source speakers. These are your typical “speaker” shaped speakers, often containing two-three drivers. The can be placed on the ground, mounted on a pole or flown/permanently installed. The other type of speakers you will typically run into are Line-Source or Line Array Speakers. These often come in two further varieties (constant curvature and line array) but refer to a type of speaker that is attached to another speaker in a vertical manner in order to cover a larger area. This is what you normally see at large music events. These types of speakers can be mounted but are usually flown along with their subs in long towers.

PA Subwoofers

Subwoofers, often referred to as Low Frequency Drivers are the type of speakers designed to reproduce the low frequencies of the spectrum. These are often larger than their normal speaker counterparts coming in at 15” or 18” varieties. Depending on your set up, subs may not always be necessary, it is always important to take into account the venue as well as the ensemble you are amplifying. 

Passive vs Active Speakers

When looking at buying speakers, it is always important to check if the speakers are active or passive. Passive speakers refer to speakers that only work and reproduce sound when powered through a speaker amplifier. The typical signal flow of these speakers goes from a mixer to an amplifier which then amplifies the signal while also powering the speaker. These are typically less expensive than Active Speakers but require extra components. Active speakers refer to speakers that have a physical need for power. These speakers often contain built-in amplifiers and thus require no external amplification. These speakers may also contain extra audio controls such as EQ, Delay and Crossovers built-in to the speaker itself. Because of this, they are often more expensive than a passive speaker and require a different signal flow.  

Crossovers:

Crossovers are types of filters that help separates the audio signal into the different frequency ranges designed for each speaker type. While many speakers may have built in crossovers, they are often set at a specific range and can't be adjusted. In the event that your speakers don't have a built in crossover or you are trying to build a system with different types of speakers, hardware crossovers are the solution. 

Cables

Types of Cables

So you’ve got all new microphones, mixer and speakers now what? The last thing you need to get started with amplifying your ensembles are cables. In the audio world, cables usually fall into several categories depending on what it is used for and include: XLR, TRS, 1/8in, SpeakON and PowerCON. One thing to always keep in mind, always get the best quality cables you can, this will save you several headaches later on down the road.

XLR

XLR cables are three pronged cables locking cables which connect your microphones to your mixer and your mixer to their speakers. XLRs come in several lengths, often as short as 6” to over 100’. XLR cables not only carry audio signals but can also carry small voltages such as Phantom Power which helps power certain microphones such as condenser microphones.

TRS or Phone 

TRS (Tip, Ring, Sleeve) cables are often referred to as 1/4in cables and typically used for instruments such as pianos, guitars and basses as well as for speakers. These can be balanced or unbalanced depending on the configuration and are called TRS or TRRS cables since they consist of a plug that has a Tip, a Ring and Sleeve. 

RCA

RCA cables are rarely used when amplifying your ensembles but can be useful when recording them. RCA cables consist of one pin for each of the left and right sides, usually marked by white and red. Most mixers have RCA connectors and are usually used to record a stereo out of your overall mix.