If you use music in your shows, you know how important it is to find the right piece to fit the occasion and tone of your performance.
Music IS mood and can get a fan IN the mood.
So, to that end, you spend hours picking out the best songs and choreographing it to the lights to give your show the feel you want. The question is… after all that work, do you have a quality sound system to play it on?
If you’ve been limping along with a cheap tinny speaker, you need to read on.
There’s a saying among independent film producers that there’s a lot of things audiences will forgive you for, shots out of focus, bad actors, even bad writing, and directing… but having bad sound isn’t one. When productions don’t have a lot of money they know the one thing they can’t skimp on is the sound, and they don’t because…
Audiences do not put up with bad sound, they turn off the show.
That’s true for camming as well, so hopefully you’ve got a good mic system set up for them to hear you but what we’re gonna concentrate on here is what you’ve got going on for your music. If you’ve been settling for that bluetooth speaker that sounds like you’re underwater – it’s time to invest in something better for 2024 – your viewers will thank you (and stick around).
By invest, I don’t mean you have to break the bank. Sound systems have come a long way since the boom box, and you can get a lot of bang for your buck.
Check out these highly rated speakers:
Anker Soundcore 3 – RTINGS.com loved this speaker the most of the ones they tested and shared that it comes with a Soundcore app so you can customize your EQ. It also has 13 hours of listening, an retails at $51 on Amazon as of the time of this writing.
Apple HomePod Mini – Costing only $99 you’ll be shocked at how amazing this baby sounds. Another perk is it can be used to control smart lights – (I recommend Meross Bulbs) – so you can illuminate your cam room with any color under the rainbow.
JBL Flip 6 – This workhorse really packs a punch and comes in several cool colors. Retailing on Amazon for $98 at the time of this writing it gives you 12 hours of playtime, is waterproof (could be a plus – who knows what you’re doing in your cam room) and has a rocking bass.
JBL Bar 700 – I know, another JBL – but they make great stuff! If you’re looking to really bite the bullet and go for a whole set up, ZDNET says that this system is the best overall of the ones they tested. Though it’s on the pricey side (currently $599 on Amazon), it’s still a heck of a lot cheaper than some of the other systems which come in over a grand. What’s cool about the JBL is it’s got a small footprint with detachable speakers that’ll give you the same booming sound as a lot of the big boys out there without taking up the space.
Sony SRS-XB100 – Small and compact this is great for doing shows on the road as you can just slip it in your backpack or purse and away you go. The SoundGuys shared that its sound won’t fill a whole room, but it will work great in the shower or in small spaces (i.e. on the road, in the car or closet). And let’s face it, it’s cute. And CHEAP – $58 on Amazon at the time of this writing.
This 2024, get with the groove and pick up a sound system that will do your camming justice!
Main photo credit: iStock.com/Paul Campbell
First photo credit: iStock.com/stockbusters
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Alyssa Collins hails from Minnesota, where snowy days were the perfect excuse to stay warm inside and write. Over the years, she turned that joy into a career and has authored numerous articles for various publications (under pen names). Email Alyssa via alyssa@ynot.com.
