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Old 12-05-2017, 08:19 PM
guitaniac guitaniac is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2004
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Unfortunately, the performance rights organizations (ASCAP, BMI & SESAC) are no joke. ASCAP's threats to sue a venue shut down one of my favorite open mics in the past year. My advice, however, is to just do your open mic until you start hearing from one or more of the PROs (performance rights organizations). Then you can decide whether to pay up or discontinue the open mic.

As far as mics go, you'll likely need to use both of them, preferably on boom stands. Some folks will want their instruments miked, and sometimes you'll have two or more singers.

A good all-purpose preamp with adjustable gain will help you accommodate a variety of instruments with active and passive pickups. You'll be dealing with a wide range of signal levels and pickup characteristics (which may need some EQ help). Beyond that, keep it simple. Don't run the instruments through multiple processors. Some players may bring their own outboard gear and want to go directly to the mixer. Accommodate them.

Music store open mics tend to be on the quiet and respectful side. If that's the case with your open mic, the sound reinforcement won't be terribly critical. Its good to be prepared for the worst, but hope for the best.
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