A complete singer-songwriter rig for small gigs

Choose one centrepiece for the rig

A Fishman Loudbox Artist is an acoustic/vocal combo built around the exact job: one or two instruments plus vocals. A Bose S1 Pro+ or JBL EON ONE Compact is more flexible when you also want Bluetooth playback, battery operation or speech coverage. Pick one centrepiece first; the rest of the rig should support it.

An acoustic amp often gives the guitar more direct tone control. A portable PA usually spreads sound more evenly and can serve more kinds of events. Neither option is automatically better. The correct choice depends on room size, power access and how many inputs you need.

Use a simple, repeatable signal path

Connect the vocal microphone by XLR and the guitar with a normal instrument cable. Set every channel flat, bring up the master gradually and adjust one source at a time. Start with the speaker in front of or slightly ahead of the microphone to reduce feedback.

If the guitar pickup is harsh or difficult to control, an L.R. Baggs Venue DI or Fishman Platinum Pro EQ can sit between guitar and PA. A DI is a problem-solving tool, not a mandatory purchase for every first rig.

• Vocal mic to XLR input
• Guitar to instrument input
• Speaker ahead of the microphone
• Spare cable for the most important connection
• Power bar with surge protection
• Soundcheck at performance volume

Buy reliability before extra effects

A Shure SM58-LC, Sennheiser e 835 or similar wired dynamic microphone is usually a better first purchase than an inexpensive wireless system. Wired gear removes batteries and radio interference from the list of things that can go wrong.

Once the basic rig works every time, add a compact delay, reverb or looper only if it supports the songs. The audience notices clear vocals and balanced volume long before it notices another pedal.