Sound systems are an integral part of any successful project, whether live or in a recording studio. It is certainly possible to find quality used gear from both retail outlets and wholesale dealers. Although P.A. systems come in many different varieties, all of them have a variety of characteristics in common. Microphones, monitors, cables, and good speakers can be found in just about any live or studio sound setup. There are a few options when it comes to getting the right equipment in place for a particular project. Some people have a variety of components that they want to work into a broader system, while others are looking to start over with a whole new rig. One of the most important things to consider is making sure not to compromise quality when it comes to the basic components. For example, no sound systems, whether new or used, ever sound good (or certainly not as good as possible) with bad cables. Likewise, poor speakers make it a tough time for the audience and bad monitors can turn any gig into a quick debacle for performers. After the bare essentials are covered, there are other decisions to make relative to what kind of sound equipment to buy. Some of these include whether to use a powered or unpowered analog mixer, external power amplification, signal processing, rack mounting, and more. In the event that a powered mixer is being used, an external amplification device may be completely unnecessary. Collectors of musical equipment will likely be in the market for used gear that will complement what they already own.
