On Apr 20, 2019, leftytheclown wrote:
Thanks for the feedback (pun intended). I need an idiot proof sound system with lapel mic and the ability to start and stop music as needed for the routines. Small audience: 15-30. Medium audience: 50-100. I purchased Duane Laflin's book,"Crash Course in Showmanship for Magical Entertainers. He emphasized a sound system for presentations and music would improve you shows.

On Apr 30, 2019, Dr. Solar wrote:
Does anyone know how to get a hold of Kelly Dirk for possible repair of Icue Virtualsound?

On Apr 25, 2019, Michael Messing wrote:

Quote:

On Apr 20, 2019, leftytheclown wrote:
Thanks for the feedback (pun intended). I need an idiot proof sound system with lapel mic and the ability to start and stop music as needed for the routines. Small audience: 15-30. Medium audience: 50-100. I purchased Duane Laflin's book,"Crash Course in Showmanship for Magical Entertainers. He emphasized a sound system for presentations and music would improve you shows.

First off, you're looking for two different things: a PA system and a wireless music system. I haven't run across a PA system that has a built-in wireless music system. I'll first go over what I use and then give you some alternatives to consider. For smaller shows of 15-30, I use a Bose Soundlink Revlve+ Bluetooth speaker. I don't need to amplify my voice for an audience of that size so a quality Bluetooth speaker takes care of it. The Soundlink Revolve+ is pretty expensive at $300 but I really like the sound it reproduces: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/......le-black

For my larger shows (up to 150 depending on the venue), I use a Bose S1 Pro. It has fantastic sound and runs off a built-in battery or AC: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/......-battery It's pricey at $599 but worth it to me. (I own two of them that I connect together so I can cover larger audiences.)

For my music system, I use an iPod Touch with a music app that allows me to automatically fade music out and stop at the end of each track. The app I use is no longer available but there are some options. The expensive part is a wireless remote. I use an Audio Ape Remote. It's the best I've used and I've owned about six remote music systems over the last 20 years. https://www.audioaperemote.com

Finally, I use a Sennheiser wireless headset mic system: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/......m-a-band (I, also, purchased a wireless earset microphone to use with the Sennheiser wireless system but you indicated a lapel mic.)

As you can see, I've spent a lot. To keep the costs down, I would recommend this PA system: Samson Expedition XP106wDE Portable PA System It comes with a tiny headset mic which should cause less feedback issues than a lapel mic. They do offer it with a lapel mic, as well: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/......a-system The Samson Expedition XP106 series is powerful, runs on a rechargeable battery and sounds very good for its size. It's small enough to use for small groups and should cover your medium groups as long as it isn't a really big room. (It would probably have enough amplification for a gym but the sound probably wouldn't be great.)

Next, you want a music system. If you own an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, Audio Ape has a free app that will do the basics (start, stop, auto-fade music, skip forward, skip back, as well as automatically pausing at the end of a track): https://www.audioaperemote.com/free-app/

Finding an inexpensive remote that is reliable is the tricky party. Let me know if you are an iPhone user or an Android user or something else and I can give you some options.