Hello folks,

I am a professional magician looking to make the leap (or crash ;-) ) into busking and am looking for an amp that has good sound and is portable and ideally could be used for small stage shows (100 people) as well as busking.

Any suggestions? Searching the Café - there were some posts from 2013 but I haven't found anything more recent. I don't want to go Happie Amp as the shipping/ customs charges are lethal.

Any help much appreciated,

Danny

Hello sir. I just recently bought the following amp. I haven't got home to try it out yet but for the price and battery life it's pretty cheap. It also has Bluetooth. Probably not for a musician but looks good for speaking and music from my phone. I'll let you know what it's like when I try it out.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01MQYI87......f=plSrch

Mipro

I bought a Roland "Street Cube" about 10 years ago ac or dc great product still going strong

Thank you. do you use this with a wireless headset and if so how? I am trying to avoid buying a battery and inverter.

Myself, I have one rarely use it. I use some recorded music and speak loudly. Also I'm on a beach Promenade so pretty close proximity to audience.

I got this:

https://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PWMA220BM-Bl......wma220bm

It has more power/volume than you would think. It is Bluetooth. It has a very good internal battery (about 6 hours), and can operate plugged in, too. Comes with a "wrap around" mike, a lapel mike, both wireless. And, it comes with a microphone you can plug in. Great little amp (6.5 x 11 x 13 in).

All of the lower priced amps, and I mean ALL of them, sound like the performer is talking through a tin can. The frequency response and dynamic range of such amplifiers suck. If you want quality sound, portability, dependable components that won't break with a little jostling about, expect to pay for it. I've traveled more than most and the only amp that I've ever found to supply big sound when needed, or a little voice augmentation when required, is assembled by a busker in the UK. He knows his stuff you might say.

http://www.stuffandthings.co.uk/pa_and_mp3.htm

Any performer that travels extensively, packing, unpacking, hauling it around, uses his products. His products are the hands down best. But again, expect to pony up the money for the quality. The only drawback is that you'll need to know someone in the UK to have them send it to you. The manufacturer doesn't ship outside of the UK, so a second party is necessary to ship them here to the USofA.

Https://carvinaudio.com/collections/s600/products/s600b

if I didn't already have a carvin stagemate I'd get this immediately.

I have used a Roland street cube in school halls when doing Science shows as well as many out side events and it dose the job well. https://www.roland.com/global/products/cube_street/

However due to the fact when I busk I need every thing to fit on by bicycle and my experience of the street cube I have been using one of these https://www.roland.com/global/products/mobile_ba/ .

As for a mic I have just started using the Samson air-line and so far so good http://www.samsontech.com/samson/product......oearset/

Hope this helps.

I have a roland street cube and there's no way that unit (while cool and good sounding) could handle a large outside crowd.
I'm not even sure it could handle much of an outside medium size crowd. Small crowd, yes.

It's only 2 watts, if I remember correctly. It does have very efficient drivers which help but I think you'd need to stipulate that this is not an amp with much "reach". I'd say it's perfect for a kids bday party at a home or a smallish indoor parlor show or a small outdoor gig. But that's it.

I have used mine in many indoor /outdoor situations, never had one issue no matter any size group I have ever had. If several hundred is a small crowd then maybe you're right.
Nala

I use my Pyle frequently and have never noted anything but good sound. Mostly used indoors, but I have taken it on the streets and it was fine.

Hey Danny,
I wish you well on the Streets.

One of the skills of busking, however,
is the use of natural voice.

As you may notice,
reading various posts here;
Streets,..Pitches are dying out.
Busking,.. is struggling.
The use of Amps is the leading cause.

The use of amplification is the leading cause of complaint,
about Busking today.

The use of amplification is the leading cause of complaint,
about Busking today.

The skill of using Natural Voice is,...
maybe,
making a come-back(!).

Young singers, on the Streets,
here in Europe,
are more and more playing un-plugged.
Smaller Pitches and venues are openning up.
'Smaller',...

Learn to use,
develope the skill,..
of Natural Voice.

Talk to an Actor.
Read 'Milo and Roger' p. 174/177.
There's great tips and training practise for developing 'a voice'.

'A Voice' is one trait of Busking.
,..."Small", also has something to do with the job.,... 🤔

Again, I wish you well.
Gallagher

We perform at a beautiful beach area,50' from the ocean, 15'from a rail line, competing with coal cars heading to be off loaded for Japan.
our sets are a mix of patter and canned music. we keep it at a level to be heard not abused.
I unfortunately wasn't graced with the gift of the gab' as they say. But 7th year at that one spot and feel very, very lucky!
love it !


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXcaTRpM9fs

Hey Nala,
with the waves,
..the wind,
...the crowds,
....and the trains(!);
you guys really go for it!

I'm SURE,
seven years ago,
you weren't half as strong as you are now. 👍

It's great what you guys are pulling off,..
and how you go about it. 🙂

Here's to the next seven!
smiles,
Gallagher

Yes .... Gallagher... I've got 7 more smiles but doubt 7 more years. I wish!.... this kid of mine is wearing me out!
Tonight we are right back down there, but just as tourists, ice cream and a walk on the pier.

stay happy!
Nala & Ling'

I agree,
For the first 10 years or so never even thought about using a amp.
Work on doing shows with no amp. It will make you a stronger performer.

I use a Mipro 707 for my paid shows. However I was thinking about getting a happy amp just for the street. Does anyone use this?

However, Gallagher, I have noted your wise comments.

Mark

If your looking to buy a amp.
Take what Eric Evans said and get
Stuff and Things.
Best sound for the cash