I did a show tonight with a room ill designed for sound. I had my small system with me and it wasn't enough.

Yesterday I saw a library magic show. They guy was a great magician and all his props, stage, and costuming looked brand new. But his sound was insufficient. He also had a large wireless handheld mic hanging in front of his tie! What? Next time I'll see him I'll ask why he doesn't wear a lapel. I know, I know... some magicians say it's so they can grab it from it's loop and interview an audience member. Not a good enough reason for wearing a 3 dimensional, heavy necktie.

My point is that we often spend a lot of money on our magic or puppets, but neglect our sound system! Picture someone buying a $1,000 guitar and a $50 guitar amp to play it through. It doesn't match up.

Ask yourself this question: Have you ever known someone who said, "Boy, I really wish I hadn't bought such a nice puppet? Or, boy I really wish my sound equipment wasn't so clear."

Buy the right tool and you will not only find that the job is done better, it is also easier, more professional, and easier to love.

This is totally true if you want to succeed, and we have dedicated our company to giving you some of the top level stuff to get you there. Ax

In a 3 show program this weekend, with the same audience but different kids, I went through over 10 magic tricks and a dozen puppets in different skits. At the beginning of each session they would ask, "Is the bear coming back?" The answer, "Of course!" When you have the right tool you can use it over and over! My bear has been a hit for 18 years (thanks to some touchups from Axtell once or twice). In fact, when I go back to a place they remember me AFTER they see the bear or his yellow trash can habitat. "Oh, I know you!"

This is a very true statement. Usually when I do shows at my school a sound system is always provided for me, so I don't have to worry about that right now.

I got to a preschool today and pulled out my mp3 player only to realize I didn't have the patch cord to plug it into my sound system! Now, I'm the guy who tells you that you should have duplicates so you can grab a case and know you have everything for each theme. (I don't have duplicate puppets, but that would be great.)

My problem is that I took just the cord and mp3 to a church recently to plug into their sound. When I got back I put the cord back into the wrong case. I have one for my large system and one for my small. I ended up with two in my large and none in the small.

I realized how much I missed the background music to magic and the puppet songs.

If anyone reads this who has tried the Axtell background magic (royalty free!) please let us know which one you use and how you use it. Thanks!

I carry a Fender Passport 250 with me at all times. If I get to the gig and determin after a sound check that the sound is insufficient, I set mine up. Ceiling speakers are not good enough in most cases (some have recently been changed over to Bose, they work real well). Some times the system is so OLD, again not worth using. If there is ever any problem in the audience hearing me due to POOR sound quality , they never blame it on the sound, they blame it on ME He was not very good, I could not understand a word he said...that kind of word of mouth travels faster then the good stuff. Take control AND responsibility for your own show. That includes a quality Mic. be it headset(my preferred) a Lav. or traditional SM-58 on a mic stand,(which I feel limits your mobility)have them with you at all times.

Ok this is the system I use need some feed back.

Bought from Florida Magic
I have a waist worn portable system made by SKY WAP-5D, which has output power 3w RMS, paper speaker 2.5, battery UM-3 (AA)x6 I use this for close walk around...what is your call on this piece?
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PWMA-850
Portable PA System by Pyle Pro 300W VHF wireless battery powered PA System with Echo internal rechargeable battery pack
150W RMS 300W Peak Power
Operating Frequency 170-250 MHz Battery Life approx 45 hours for Mic Unit itself is 5 Hours without recharging, operating Range 100 ft but its been known to go beyond- Handheld wireless mic-3 position power switch and LED...

What if anything can you tell me about this system the price was great.

I am not familiar with the brands of either system. However, I'd say you have the low and the high ends when it comes to power. The second system (Pyle) sounds really nice in terms of power and convenience. It should cover anything you have planned, including a gym with 400 kids.

The walk around is going to prove to be unidirectional. For example, if you turn sideways to face the puppet, the sound is going to be cut way down, so put it on the part of your belt that will face the audience the most. Also, be careful of doing too many toe touches or you might feedback when your face passes your belt.

Three watts is not much power at all. My guess would be that it won't be much louder than your own speaking voice. However, Florida Magic knows their stuff so they may be doing more with less. I wouldn't depend on the 3 watts for anything but walkarounds and small indoor birthdays.

I had a system I built with two speakers, a wireless deck and mics-- but everything had to be plugged in.

This year I bought a Happi Amp -- and it has covered me indoors and out.

I love it!

I tried a search for Happi Amp and got a lot of other things. Any model number that might clarify the search, Santa?

You aren't talking about the magic pill that let's you hear music and see flashing lights inside your head, are you?

Sorry Tony, it's the Happie Amp - Brian Foshe sells them for $229. They have a built in battery for the system plus a charger for a 9 volt - used with the headset, lavalier or handheld mic. I've used this indoors and out doors for large crowds and haven't had a problem. It comes with a carrying case so you could do walk around with it with no difficulty. Also lets you hook up a cd player for background.

Looks good, Santa! I see they have a small version for birthdays, small library groups, etc. or the convenient luggage handled 100 with 160 watts RMS. That would be a true workhorse but the batteries would make it doable for even small groups.