Fellow magicians frequently
ask me which public address sound system is
best when performing magic. Maybe I look like
I'd know the answer. The fact is, having owned
several sound systems, I do know the answer
and will discuss it now. Moreover, I'll discuss
it in a manner in which everyone will understand;
I'll discuss it in layman terms with few technical
statements or words. I'll even tell you what
to buy, where to buy, what to expect, and how
much to pay.
A sound system is a very personal
thing and what works for one may not work for
another. It can be anything from a cardboard
megaphone to a maze of complex electronic gadgets
costing several thousand dollars. In this article
we won't consider either extreme.
There are three essential basic
parts to all sound systems: the microphone,
the amplifier, and the speaker. With that in
mind you must understand that every time you
improve the system you are giving it a reason
to fail. Hence, with each embellishment you
"pay the price." For instance, let's assume
you want to increase the length of your speaker
cable, so you add an additional cable. You now
have improved the system to fit your needs,
but by adding the extra cable you have added
another connection which can go bad or short
out. Lets assume your microphone plug is a mini
plug and you need to add an adapter to make
it fit the larger input jack on the amplifier.
You have improved the system because the mic
now fits, but the added adapter gives the system
still another reason to fail. Here's one more
example. Let's assume you want to use a small
clip-on lapel mic. The tiny clip-on mic is less
cumbersome, thus improving the system. However,
there will probably be some loss of quality.
Moreover, most mics of that type require a pill
battery which can always go bad. Hence, again,
the improvement gives the system still another
reason to fail. You get the idea I'm sure.
Let's talk about wireless systems
for a minute. A wireless system requires two
additional components: a transmitter and a receiver.
Yikes! Two more reasons for the system to fail!
So ask yourself if you really want a wireless
system? The answer, of course, will be yes.
Who wouldn't want a wireless system? Go ahead
and live with that answer for a day or two,
and then ask the question again in a slightly
different way. Rather than asking if you WANT
a wireless system ask if you really NEED a wireless
system. Chances are you don't. While deciding
on your answer keep in mind that even the best
of wireless systems are subject to interference,
and this interference can come from anything
electronic including the ignition on a passing
automobile.
OK, in layman terms we have
touched on the three basic parts of all systems,
some reasons why they can fail, and the two
additional parts should a wireless system be
needed. Let's talk about one more thing before
moving on as to which system to buy and where
to buy it. You need to consider the power supply.
Will you always be able to plug the thing in
for 110 volts of power (AC power), or will you
have to run the thing using batteries (DC power)?
Perhaps you'll need both. Keep in mind, of course,
that the convenience of DC power also gives
the gadget another reason to fail as batteries
can always die.
Finally when you do get ready
to buy you will be boggled with the technical
specifications of the system. They really are
not that important to you. What is important
is this: Will the system work for you in the
venues where you will be performing? There is
only one way to be sure and that's to test the
system before buying it. I can't stress that
point enough. Not all microphones work the same
for different speaking voices, and amplifiers
react differently with different speaker cones.
This is the reason I say the technical specs
are not really important. You simply have to
personally test the system. A system that sounds
great when being used by one magician may sound
terrible when being used by another.
So where do you start? Here
are some suggestions:
One of the most popular systems
available is an FM-AV4 manufactured by Lectronsonics,
Inc. This is a portable DC powered system about
the size of two shoe boxes and weighting 17
pounds. The built in battery when fully charged
will hold up for 30 to 40 hours of use. It is
a wireless system, but also has a mic input
for a hard wire as well as a music input. It
comes with a wireless mic, the needed transmitter,
and the receiver is built into the cabinet.
An excellent feature is the system can be connected
directly to a larger house system should the
occasion arise. There are a couple of disadvantages
that need to be considered. It is DC powered
and though you receive an AC charger this charger
will not provide enough power to keep the system
operating should the battery die. In other words,
if the battery goes dead you can't operate it
for any length of time by plugging it in to
the charger. Also, since the battery is built
in the entire gadget has to be sent to the factory
for battery replacement. Lectrosonics, Inc.
is very helpful in this area and will normally
give you a one day turn around when you send
it to them. Another disadvantage, one seen in
most portable systems, is the amplifier and
speaker are installed in the same cabinet. Thus
the controls will always be with the speaker
and unavailable to you should the thing be placed
away from you while in use. Still this is a
top of the line portable system. It is available
from various distributors throughout the country,
but if you wish to keep it in the family they
are sold by Dick Stoner's Magic and Fun Stores.
Expect to pay around $1000.
Another extremely popular system
is the PERMA POWER sound system in a briefcase.
It literally is a briefcase containing a complete
sound system. For years this has been the "Work
Horses" of the industry for anyone wanting a
portable PA system. It is powered by ten D cell
batteries which can always be found easily.
The batteries normally hold up for several days
of use. One extremely nice advantage is the
amplifier can be removed from the case and placed
where you have easy access to the controls while
performing. Though it comes with it's own microphone
most magicians like to substitute a smaller
clip- on mic. This is not a wireless system.
You can keep this purchase in the family by
purchasing it from Magic, Inc. Expect to pay
around $500.
Among the best of the best
comes from a company called ANCHOR. They offer
absolutely everything anyone could desire and
their products are all of the highest quality.
They are sold around the country through distributors,
so check the yellow pages. Expect to start around
$500 with the price going up rapidly as you
mix and match.
If your budget won't handle
any of the three already mentioned not all is
lost. There is a chain of guitar stores called
Guitar Center. Stop in any Guitar Center and
you will be in "Sound System Heaven." Check
out the basic guitar amplifier/speaker systems
normally costing less than $200. They will almost
always be AC powered and you will always need
to add your own microphone. Don't worry, the
Guitar Center also sells a variety of microphones.
The controls and speaker will be mounted in
the same box, so you will have to live with
that inconvenience. However, the price is right
and it's amazing how well these things work.
Almost all guitar amps are ideal for voice use,
but you will have to experiment with different
microphones.
While at the Guitar Center
check out the PIG NOSE and the HOG NOSE units.
These are self contained portable DC powered
practice guitar amps. They are extremely well
made and entirely self contained. You will have
to add a microphone. They are not quite large
enough to handle all venues, but for the right
places they are wonderful. These can be obtained
for less than $200.
I've covered quite a bit and
tried to keep it entirely in layman terms. Let
me state again, no matter how it looks, how much
it costs, or how good others say it is, ALWAYS
TEST THE SYSTEM YOURSELF BEFORE BUYING.
