How to Mic a Bass Amp Live: 5 Proven Mic Options
A firsthand guide to mic’ing a bass amp live — covering five microphone options from the SM57 to the MD 421-II, placement technique, EQ, and how bass amp mic’ing differs from guitar.
Live Sound
Live Sound, Mixers
How to Build a Monitor Mix on the XR18: Proven Setup
A step-by-step guide to building a monitor mix on the Behringer XR18 — covering aux send routing, per-member mix setup, IEM integration, and the practical workflow I use with my own band every show.
Live Sound
How to Mic Vocals Live: 7 Proven Tips for Gigging Bands
A practical guide to mic’ing vocals live — covering mic selection, placement, technique, EQ, feedback control, and the differences between dynamic and condenser options for real stages.
In-Ear Monitors, Live Sound
Shure PSM300 Review: A Proven Wireless IEM for Gigging
A firsthand Shure PSM300 review from a gigging musician who runs one every show — covering sound quality, RF performance, setup, MixMode, battery options, and who should actually buy it.
In-Ear Monitors, Live Sound
Best Wireless IEM Systems for Bands: 4 Proven Picks
A practical guide to the best wireless IEM systems for bands — covering four systems from budget to professional, plus a thorough breakdown of UHF frequency bands so you can choose the right one for your market.
Live Sound
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
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.