John’s Gear Guide – 2020

John Kammerer

John Kammerer

Last Updated 2/26/20

This list is always being updated, so be sure to check back from time to time for updates on the latest equipment! I should note these are my honest and true recommendations, and I’ve not been paid in any way by these companies to promote their products.

Mixers

  • Preferred (when using with digital stagebox) – Behringer Wing – This is the newest mixer from Behringer, introduced in 2019. 
    • Only 8 onboard preamps, making use of this mixer limited without 
    • 48 input channels, making this mixer ideal for larger setups
  • Preferred (when using with/without digital stagebox) – Behringer X32 – Extremely popular and reliable mixer, available in 3 models:
    • X32 – Full-sized with 32 onboard preamps
    • X32 Compact – smaller form factor, 16 onboard preamps but can accept 32 channels with use of a S16 or S32 Stage Box
    • X32 Producer – Same as Compact, but rack-mountable
  • Yamaha TF Series
    • Available in TF1, TF3, and TF5 models. Not my first choice due to price, onboard effect quality, and general usability (I find the UI on the Behringer to be simpler to grasp for those not familiar with digital mixing consoles, and the included effects to be higher quality on the X32 as well.)
    • TF1 – 16 mic/line
    • TF3 – 24 mic/line
    • TF5 – 32 mic/line

Stage Boxes

Hardware/Standalone Samplers

Though I highly recommend investing in a computer and making the leap toward computer-based electronics management, I understand that this is not always possible depending on timing and budget. 

That being said, I do find it important to keep a hardware sampler around in case you need to add some extra flexibility in your computer-based setup, or in case you’d like to make a backup in the event of computer failure (not a common a thing as some people might think, if proper steps are taken). 

Preferred – Roland SP404sx

  • This is my preferred sampler due to the fact that the samples are stored on an external card rather than internal memory, meaning that you can store any number of samples of any length, as long as your card is large enough. 
  • Adding samples is also very easy using the Roland SP404 Wave Converter software

Yamaha DTX Multi 12

  • My second choice for many reasons, (sample length limitations of approx. 22 seconds, no external card/extremely small internal memory, difficult to edit samples), but it does have one benefit the Roland lacks, and that is its drum pad form factor…If you need something to perform rhythmic samples with, or something that a student can just reach over in the middle of a phrase and hit with a drumstick, this is the sampler for you. 

Laptops

Ideally you’ll want to buy the most powerful computer computer you can afford, within reason, in order to 1) have the flexibility necessary to handle the extreme situations in which computers are expected to perform in the marching activity (heat, cold, general wear and tear, etc), and 2) future-proof yourself from having to buy a new computer in the next few years. 

I highly recommend using Apple products for their stable operation and general ease of use for musical purposes when compared with PCs. The following are minimum specs required.

  • MacBook Pro
    • I recommend buying used. The benefit of using a laptop as opposed to a desktop like the Mac Mini (below) is that you do not have to provide keyboard, mouse, or display, but the negatives are that your computer will likely be exposed to the sun and elements, potentially shortening its lifespan
      • Either 13” or 15”
      • 8gb RAM
      • Intel Core Duo i5 or i7 (preferred) 2.0GHz or higher
      • SSD (any size)
  • Mac Mini (2018)
    • These are my highest recommendations as of late. The added benefit of using a Mac Mini is that you can keep the computer out of the sun and fix a monitor to your cart…this will reduce wear and tear on the internals of your computer (heating/cooling weakens solder joints over time) and will lengthen it’s lifespan.
      • 8gb RAM
      • 4 Core 3.6GHz Processor
      • 128gb SSD
      • Gigabit Ethernet

Audio Interfaces

If you’re using a laptop, you’ll need an audio interface. An audio interface is an external sound card for you computer that provides you with inputs, outputs, and higher quality audio than just the standard headphone output, which I’ve seen some people using and high recommend against. I recommend using a multi-channel interface (more than 2 ins/outs) so you can send multiple channels of audio to your mixer for added control over the sound, but if you just want a stereo output for electronics, a 2×2 interface will work fine, but beware of some cheaper options…as far as 2×2 options go, I like the two listed. You’ll find higher quality a bit easier with multi-channel interfaces.

Redundant Playback Interface

A great idea for when you want to ensure that potential computer failure won’t bring your electronics to its knees.

Wireless Systems

Software

  • Ableton Live (Standard or Suite)
    • I cannot emphasize enough of the power and flexibility a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) like Ableton can bring to your electronics setup. Highly customizable sampling and synth setup can have a profoundly positive effect on the complexity and ease with which your electronics are managed and performed. 
    • Be sure to use only the Standard or Suite version of the software, as the Intro does not come with certain tools that make this particular DAW so powerful and useful within a marching audio context.
  • Kontakt 6
    • Kontakt 6 is a sampling software made by Native Instruments. This software works as a VST Plugin within programs like Ableton Live and MainStage (though I’ve found it to sometime not play nicely with MainStage). 
    • It is an extremely powerful collection of playable synths and sample that I consider a must-have for quality synth sounds. 

MIDI Controllers

  • M-Audio Keystation 61 or 88 MK3
    • Light, easy to use, and durable, this is my first choice when searching for a MIDI controller for your synth players. I find that the 61 key version is usually enough to handle the vast majority of keyboard parts found in the marching arts. 
    • I like this keyboard for its distinct lack of features, which may sound counter-intuitive unless you’ve had as many experiences as I have handling situations starting with a student asking “why isn’t my keyboard working?” This gets the job done, and there are very few buttons to be accidentally (or purposefully) pushed that will cause issues. 
  • Arturia Minilab Mk3
    • This is my go-to sample triggering keyboard…it’s an extremely durable, cheap, and very easy to use 2-octave controller. I prefer my samples be triggered via keyboard as opposed to grid-based controllers like the Novation Launchpad. Using a keyboard like this allows assignment of multiple samples to be triggered with a single key (extra flexible sample playback and setup), and I can notate the sample performer’s part using standard musical notation, which most students are more comfortable with

  • Novation Launchpad
    • The Launchpad is my next choice for sample playback. Though built to work with Ableton Live, this controller can be used with other DAWs as well, like MainStage or Logic. I find this to be a less-intuitive method of sample playback than using a keyboard midi controller, but will work just fine if necessary. 

Cables

I am a proponent of cascade cabling as opposed to direct (see my post titled Cascading Cables for more information), and the Planet Waves Modular Snake System is a huge help when implementing this in your front ensemble setup. 

Mics

Shotgun Mic Stands

Don’t try to use standard mic stands for shotguns…trust me. If the height limitations don’t get you, the wind will.

Cases/Racks

Use what you can afford, ultimately, but my preference is towards Pageantry Innovations carts cases.

Power

Using power conditions provides a degree of protection for your equipment, as well as provides you with multiple power outlets. I recommend the Furman PL-Plus-C

WIFI

A good wifi router will allow you to control a mixer such as the Behringer X32 or Yamaha TF5 from a distance via iPad or Laptop, helping with the flow of your rehearsals.

Miscellaneous

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