Busking for singers: Amplified vs Acoustic - What Works Best? 

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I'm a full time busker for a few years, it's my primary and only job. In the beginning, it was only my voice & guitar. Very, VERY exhausting,even for a trained singer with excellent technique (and believe me , i am not that guy :) ) . Quickly, that kind of performance took it's toll. My voice got very hoarse. I was tired. Yes, acoustic performance has it's benefits, like mobility and light packing BUT remember - you only have one pair of your vocal chords. When you damage them , that is one expensive surgery , if you don't damage them beyond repair , of course. It was not my opinion at the time, it was a tip from my friend who is a pro singer. I quickly realized that i'm going to need some amplification. Yes, equipment started to build up, there was a mic, a stand, amp , case, trolley,looper pedal, power supply, now i even have a tablet , a holder for tablet , custom case for donation etc. but believe me - it is worth it !!! My busking income skyrocketed (in comparison with pure acoustic income), i can work every day , sometimes 2 or three gigs on different locations, i can use looper and perform solo parts and rhythm on guitar body, so my voice is utilised much less and my sound is much more serious , louder and can reach more people. With looper pedal and little excersise you don't have to be a guitar master to sound interesting. My acoustic performance was primary voice , some cowboy chords and little fingerstyle but now, it is full rhythm, bass , solo etc. and pople feel the difference ! Just remember , a professional is not only a talent, performance etc, the equipment is very important too, sometimes even more important ! And one more time - YOUR HEALTH IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THIS WORLD, amplifier and equipment is a must for a full time busker. Just be aware of your volume level and it will be okay. Cheers!

I have busked off an on between indoor gigs for 30+ years. I never go out without a busking amp, typically orianted so I get some benefit from it as a monitor. Not needing to push my voice on a busy street means I don't need to over-sing and my voice does not get tired.

The other day, I busked outside a Trader Joes on Saturday. There were lots of people, good weather. And after 2 hrs, I had made a dollar. The girl who gave me the dollar said I sounded really nice, and she was hot, so that is something. So I went back to my car and paid the 3$ parking and went home in debt 2 dollars with strained vocal cords.

I totally can relate to this. But unfortunately in Germany (where I come from) it's not allowed to use any kind of amplification as a busker. But sometimes the authorities tolerate an amp as long as it's not cranked up to 11... Thanks for your video! 🖤

Yea ... doing purely acoustic is very difficult to do. It is very exhausting and a person can tire easily. Being amplified is so much better but it too has its own unique problems too. However, it is so much easier to be heard that way and be noticed. Fortunately i live in a house that has nothing below or above me. No stairs to deal with...at least at home. My gear rig is about 20 pounds or so altogether. I use a 50w Samson P.A. speaker for my vocals and either my Orange Crush Mini with Extention Cab (20w) or my Boss Katana Mini (7w) for my guitar or ukulele. I also use a pedalboard and a small mixer If I use my Boss Katana i will need to run it thru the P.A for it to be loud enough and be able to make the sounds i want to make. But it is lighter than my Orange Crush. I know there are other equiptment that is bigger and better but for now i am happy with what I am using.

Wow.......with a little inconvenience in carrying the amplifier for busking, the returns justified the efforts......!! Furthermore you are not torturing yourself to the extent of losing your voice by singing loud ..... 🤣🤣 Well done my friend.....

i like this guy. He is very passionate and want to share his experience. That's all and I respect that!

Thanks this video is very helpful. So far I played only acoustic and find it hard to reach the people. I’m planning next season to bring a amplifier to the street. I’m looking forward to it.

Thank you. I'm researching now on amplifier, because i want to try out busking , singing on a portable harp. your video is really useful for me.

I like your guitar strap, I remember back in the 80s I used to busk in town centers with acoustic and voice and some people would say they can't hear me lol. I started playing instrumentals with amp and that was much better and it saved my voice. Later I added Mic once I got my licence. Where did you get your poster printed? I dont busk much these days as my health has gone down the drain a bit and can only manage about an hour as my legs ache with arthritis and I get back ache a lot.

Try puting fold down wooden ski's that youcan lock in place when needed on your trolly so you can glide up the stairs. Make them with good ply wood and put some type of plastic underneath to help them side better without scratching anything. Someone needs to design a quality buskers mobile unit.

That was interesting, especially when you stressed out the difference between the singing techniques. So far I just busked in small towns, where amps are not allowed. Although it's quite quiet there I believe playing with an amp would turn out as you said at the end: it would have an impact on the money received. Furthermore the cities where you are allowed to play amplified here in Germany you hve have to pay a fee in advance. Is it for free in Ireland?

this was a cool test! really enjoyed this vid! one busker to another this was great!

I’m getting ready to busk in Sydney again after a year or two off … I was acoustic before and found it tough … now I am gearing up to be amplified … I am interested to see if I can replicate your experience now.

Try using an original smaller roland cube, a harp rack for the mike ,go leadless and 3/4 size guitar. .. eliminates the trolley,mike stand,leads and unnecessary big amp ..easier for getting on airplanes too!..enjoyed the video ..Good luck..

Excellent video Tito! I can SO relate, I've tried both too and agree with everything you said

Howdy friend. I feel compelled to share with you… I watched your “5 things” busking video before I got too busy with busking. I busked for two seasons without an amp/pa. Then got a Roland cube. Night and day. I believe I learned to project loudly in those two seasons. I can do that for a few sets. People would tell me from time to time that I should get a PA, to be heard farther away. I was not expecting that to be hard, but it was! I actually had to learn how to sing/perform with a mic! I have also been hitting open mic nights to practice with microphones which has not come easy. I feel ok now tho. This busking season will be different for sure. Please keep up the great work, keep singing, and thank you! BTW I got the Roland cube off your review. I like it this far.

Excellent information! I am proud for you. You have passion in what you do. Have you ever tried a wireless mic or guitar hook-up?

What's a good amplifier for vocals? I don't play guitar. I am NOT INTERESTED in an amp that's "good for guitar". Why doesn't anyone talk about VOCAL performance amplification?

nice dude! like how you made the video from a practical stand point. Also I have the same shoes :D

Thanks for the info, the diferències in revenue is more than doble 👍🏻

i'd say Use an amp defo. Being able to put reverb n EQ the vocals and guitar and get ting them at a good level is really handy. And i think people take you abit more seriously when u have an amp, i think some people think all buskers are homeless otherwise.

Where do you think the best place to put the amp is so that you can hear yourself, they can hear you, but you don't cause feedback?

This was helpful ~ thank you so much ~ and all the best in busking!!

Great video, thanks for making it!

Nice video. I am planning to praise God in the street like Harmonie London.

muy buena comparación.

Thanks dude!❤

Ciao Tito, è da un belpò che sono iscritto al tuo canale,che trovo molto interessante!Anche se (ahimè)non sempre riesco a capire tutto ciò che dici.Volevo chiederti,se potresti caricare qualche video(in particolare questo,con i sottotitoli in italiano)che trovo molto utile,anche per tutti colore che vorrebbero approcciarsi al busking,e allo stesso tempo,sarebbe un modo come un altro per ampliare il tuo canale anche in Italia. Ciao un saluto e buon busking!🙂

Did you find that you made more money on the days when you were amplified?

Nice voice

Mini amp.

How did you learn to sing?

Awesome bro! What amplifier and microphone and stand can I buy?

Hi friend, what Cort guitar model are you using? Thanks

are you based in ireland? I though i saw some irish names in the background?

i love you man

Boss street cube 2 is good or not for singing and playing on street?

thank uuuu

I love playing the guitar but I can't sing for shit, do people only really appreciate it when you sing too?

good! sos latino amigo?

Is it a big difference in money you make with or without amp?

👍👍👍👍

nooo ,,, best wait is only guitar and voice !! no amps , mic etc..once they preached with , the voice ,, only .. and the whole square listened to them ,,, a question of ...soul. !it is not a question of level volume