Re: Live mic'ing
The first question is whether you really need to mic your kit. Usually you only mic the kit if the band is very loud, or the venue is big (or outdoors) so you want to make sure the drum sounds carry and are clear.
So if you are just starting out in bars, etc... and/or playing lighter music it's probably not necessary.
If you are going to mic, you need the mics (obviously). You'll probably want drum mics as they are designed to handle drum levels and sounds specifically. CAD makes some sets that are pretty inexpensive that are supposed to be decent. I have a Shure 4 pc kit that was $249, and I added a 3rd tom mic. Make sure you get a kit with clips and mounts, and maybe even cables. Makes life easier. Even with that you'll usually need a mic stand for your bass drum. I use a short boom stand. Works great.
You'll also need a PA to hook the mics up to and you'll need a PA for vocals anyway. If you are only doing vocals and drums in the PA, the drums will have to be in the background so you don't drowned out the vocals. There are two ways to handle a PA.
The first is to buy a powered mixer and hook up passive (unpowered) speakers to it. The advantage is that you only have to plug in the mixer, and the speakers will be lighter. The disadvantage is you have to get all the specs right in terms of watts and ohms on any speakers you match with the mixer. And you can't really get more power without buying a new mixer.
The second route, which many are doing now, is getting an unpowered mixer and active (powered) speakers. You never have to worry about matching specs, and getting more power simply means buying more speakers and hooking them up. The big disadvantage is having to plug in all the power cords on the speakers, and the speakers weigh more.
Personally I would go with the second route.
Keep in mind you will also need vocal mics and mic cables, as well as speaker cables, and possibly some power strips (make sure they are decent so you don't get hum). Last but not least are mic stands!
Good luck.
Jesse
1986 Tama Crestar - Lacquered Piano White
2016 Roland TD-25K
2015 Tama Starclassic B/B - Indigo Blue Sparkle
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