Hello folks.

I just started to sing and play at the same time (real simple songs)I have a question. Can I hook up a mic to my 20 watt Crate amp? I would like to sing and play at the same time.

Would doing that butcher the sound (voice?)

I am on a limited budget.

What advice would you have? What is an inexpensive way to do this.

I would like to start singing in coffee shops.

I do not know too much of mixing dynamics nor what equipment to use. If someone could kindly explain to me in laymans terms of what I need for someone who is starting out on a very small scale.

I do know I need to buy a mic and mic stand though.

Thank you kindly!


Once again, I have a 20 watt Crate amp which is from the early 1990's and it does sound good.

I don't have a lot of experience with mics, but i'd say try it and see what you think, maybe ask some friends or family how it sounds before taking it out anywhere.... if it works, great, if not, go to your local music shop and ask for some solid advice. professional grade stuff is expensive, though. sorry i can't help any more than that.

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~Dan

I have been playing live for money in bands since 1964. When I started doing solo work in the 70s and 80s I played guitar and sang through a single amp, but it was a big amp with two pairs of inputs and separate controls for each pair.

You don't say whether you have another amp for your guitar. If you have just the single amp, I think you need to find another, so you can sing through one and play through the other. Eventually, if you want to get serious about playing out, I think you are going to have to think about picking up a small PA head and a couple of inexpensive speakers.

Remember - if you sound like crap, they won't call you back; so better to invest a little before you take the stage.

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Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

Thanks CRGuitarMan!

I only have one guitar amp. If I was to get a PA and separate speakers . . . does the guitar amp need to be connected to the PA? Or is the guitar amp a separate entity from the PA?

May seem like silly questions but this is all new to me.

The PA and Guitar amps are separate.

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1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic

Right now, for very small venues or small private parties, I am using a Behringer Keyboard/PA amplifier for a PA. It has four stereo inputs, one of which also sports an XLR input for direct use of a microphone. All four of the inputs have separate volume and FX controls, which is very nice when I am running a mike, an acoustic guitar and backing tracks from a Fender G-DEC 3 Thirty into the Behringer at the same time.





I know there are those who make rude comments about Behringer gear, but this PA amp has worked wonderfully for me for a couple of years now, averaging 6 to 8 gigs a month. I bought it on sale at GC for right around $200, regular price is $269 today, still a bargain for 180 watts, all of those inputs and great onboard effects.



Here's a view of the back panel of this very versatile amp. I actually own two of these and in medium sized venues (100-150 people) I can get manage easily by hooking the second to the first by using the a stereo cable from the stereo link output on the back of the main amp, just using the second amp as a powered clone.

If you had one of these amps, you would be set for a long time. You could use your Crate for your guitar and sing through the Behringer. I frequently play acoustic on my smaller gigs, so I can either play my Ovation through the Behringer or through a small Acoustic acoustic amp, depending on the venue.

Playing out can be tricky, but a simple rig like the one I am using would handle your needs for a long time.

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Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

I had a Behringer PA a while back. I kinda regret selling it, now that I'm with a band and all. But, I got a sweet amp out of it.

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1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic

It wouldn't be wise to plug both a mic and guitar through your amp. It would really IMO, ruin the sound. Your best bet would be to get yourself a small P.A. system and a direct box that you can hook your guitar and amp up to the PA as well. This will enable not only the audience to hear your voice through the P.A. but also your guitar as well.