Taking a garage band from its first rehearsals to successful live performances is a process that takes lots of time and effort. In addition to sheer sweat, though, it also helps to have the right equipment on hand. Here are four must-have items that will help you take your garage band to the next level.
When it comes to playing in garages and small venues, the sound quality of your drums will shine through distinctly. Because of this, it’s critical to have at least a decent drum kit on your back line. If your drummer is using a low-quality kit with mediocre sound, it will throw off the sound of the entire band. Consider upgrading your drum shells and getting some good cymbals, and you’ll be amazed how much better your band as a whole sounds at your next rehearsal.
During a live show, your PA system is a largely unseen but extremely important factor in how your music will sound. If you want your band to sound its best, invest in a good mixing board, quality microphones and a good set of speakers. With a good PA system in place, you’ll be able to dial in your mix to make your songs sound polished and professional.
Even if you aren’t ready to cut your first album yet, it’s still a good idea to have some basic recording equipment available in your practice space. Even a simple digital recording interface and some recording microphones will do. Having the ability to record samples of the music you’re playing and listen back to it will give you a chance to identify mistakes and improve them in the future. It will also give you an objective understanding of how your band sounds to a listener so that you can tweak your tone.
If your band uses sound effects heavily, it’s well worth getting a rack of professional-grade effects processors. While pedals work reasonably well, rack-mounted processors deliver a much higher sound quality and give you more flexibility in adjusting your tone. Once you make the switch to rack effects, you probably won’t find yourself reaching for your effects pedals anytime soon.
By investing in these four upgrades, you can significantly improve the overall sound of your garage band. Taking your music to the next level will still be lots of work, but these tools will make the process faster and easier.