Bose S1 Pro Plus Review: A Proven All-in-One PA
A firsthand review of the Bose S1 Pro+ — the all-in-one portable PA that solo performers, acoustic duos, and buskers reach for when they need professional sound without a full rig.
Live Sound
Live Sound
Bose F1 System Review: A Proven PA for Gigging Bands
A firsthand review of the full Bose F1 system — the F1 812 flexible array speaker and matching subwoofer — from a gigging musician who has used it on real stages for years.
Microphones
Shure SLXD24 Review: The Honest Wireless Upgrade at $869
A practical review of the Shure SLXD24 wireless system — digital audio quality, range, RF reliability, and whether it’s worth the upgrade from a wired SM58 setup.
Live Sound
How to Mic a Guitar Amp Live: 4 Proven Mic Options
A practical guide to mic’ing a guitar amp for live sound — covering mic placement, speaker cone positioning, EQ, and four mic options from the SM57 to the Sennheiser MD 421-II.
Live Sound
How to Mic a Drum Kit Live: 7 Proven Setup Tips
A complete guide to mic’ing a live drum kit — covering placement for every piece, EQ by source, noise gate setup, compression, and how to dial in great-sounding drums in any room.
Live Sound
Mixing Station App Guide: 7 Essential Setup Tips
An honest, practical guide to Mixing Station — the third-party app that replaces official mixer apps like X Air Edit with a faster, more customizable interface.
Mixers
Behringer WING Rack Review: 48 Channels of Power
A deep dive into the Behringer WING Rack — 48 channels, 24 Midas Pro preamps, and rack-mount flexibility that puts it in a different league than the X32 Rack.
Mixers
Aviom vs Behringer Powerplay P16: 5 Key Differences
Aviom and the Behringer Powerplay P16 solve the same problem — giving every performer their own monitor mix — but they take meaningfully different approaches. This guide breaks down the real differences in cost, features, and complexity to help you choose the right system for your band or venue.
Mixers
Behringer Powerplay P16 Explained: The Complete System Guide
The Behringer Powerplay P16 gives every performer on stage their own custom monitor mix — but understanding how the system actually works, what each component does, and whether it’s right for your band takes some unpacking. Here’s the complete breakdown.
Live Sound
How to Set Up a PA System for Small Venues: 7 Proven Steps
Setting up a PA system for a small venue doesn’t have to be complicated — but getting it wrong means fighting your sound all night. This guide covers the complete process from signal chain to speaker placement, with honest gear recommendations based on decades of real gigging experience.
Microphones
Shure SM57 Review: 5 Proven Reasons It Belongs on Every Stage
The Shure SM57 has been on more stages than almost any other microphone in history — not because it’s fashionable, but because it works. This review covers real-world performance on guitar amps, snare drum, and acoustic instruments from a gigging musician with decades of live experience.
Live Sound
How to Soundcheck a Band: The Proven 7-Step Guide for Live Sound
Most bands soundcheck wrong — and it shows the moment the first song starts. This guide covers the complete soundcheck process from stage setup to final mix check, including EQ starting points by instrument and room type, monitor mix workflow, and a condensed process for when time is tight.
Microphones
Shure Beta 58A Review: Is It Worth the Upgrade from the SM58?
A real-world Shure Beta 58A review from a gigging musician with 30 years of live experience. Covers sound quality, feedback rejection, build quality, and whether it’s the right upgrade from the SM58 for your specific stage situation.
Mixers
Best Behringer Mixer for Church: Which One Is Right for Your Congregation?
From a $300 starter rack unit to a professional-grade 48-channel powerhouse — here’s exactly which Behringer mixer fits your congregation’s size, worship team, and budget.
Microphones
Best Wireless Microphone Systems for Live Performance: 4 Proven Picks
Going wireless changes how you perform on stage — but only if the system is reliable. This guide covers the best wireless microphone systems for live performance across every budget, with honest picks based on real gigging experience.