BUSKING IS A GREAT WAY TO BUILD YOUR SKILLS AS A PERFORMER WHILE MAKING MONEY FROM YOUR TALENT. A GOOD, BATTERY-POWERED PORTABLE PA OR BATTERY-POWERED AMP IS ESSENTIAL BUSKER GEAR FOR MANY STREET PERFORMERS.
Like most skills busking requires hard work coupled with the right set of tools. We are going to look at three amplifiers which will help you build a great busking rig. Busking can take many forms from playing music, to dance routines and comedy.
These amplifier suggestions are aimed to cater to a variety of users. We're going to discuss a few different options here including a selection of battery-powered busking amps and battery-powered PA systems for busking.
5 BEST BATTERY POWERED BUSKING AMPS & PA SYSTEMS
If you don't want to read on, check out our best battery-powered amps video below, where Dagan demonstrates some of the best portable, battery-powered busking amps and PA systems.
1. ROLAND CUBE STREET
Roland Cube Street, perhaps the world's most popular busking amp[/caption] A long-time favourite of buskers.
The Roland Cube Street is lightweight, runs up to 15 hours on AA batteries and features 8 COSM guitar sounds, covering everything from acoustic to heavy metal tones.
An AUX input allows for backing tracks to be played via phone or MP3 player but Bluetooth isn’t present, which is a shame. Cube Street also features built-in effects such as delay and reverb on both the instrument and vocal channels.
What’s really impressive is its weight, which comes in at a mere 5.2kg. The Roland Cube Street delivers great tone for both electric and acoustic guitar with the Blackface preamp being a particular highlight to blues players using backing tracks.
If you’ve ever wondered why so many buskers use this amp, now you know.
Features
- Lightweight but loud combo amp means it can be used for practice and rehearsal
- Two separate channels for instruments and vocals plus aux for backing tracks
- Built-in amp modelling is sure to please guitarists
- Ability to add reverb/delay to microphone or instrument channel simultaneously
2. ORANGE CRUSH ACOUSTIC 30W COMBO AMP
The Orange Crush Acoustic 30w Combo Amp is based on the coveted and highly regarded Orange crush amps, providing a big sound out of a smaller, cheaper package.
The Orange Crush Acoustic 30w Combo Amp runs on an included adapter or 10 AA batteries making it a great option for a busking session! We think this is one of the best battery powered amps for busking thanks to the fact that this super-compact amplifier is actually pretty loud.
You get 30 watts of pure power to play with and 2 channels to plug a guitar and microphone (or another) into.
There’s also tone sculpting features to create your perfect sound! Channel 1 features a 3-band EQ for fine-tuning your sound, a colour switch to boost your presence and cut the mids, and even a pad switch to take 10dB away from higher output instruments such as electric guitars.
Singer-songwriters will enjoy the fact Channel 2 comes with an XLR input for your mic (or even a second guitar), alongside a phantom power switch for condenser mics.
You can also enjoy adding in Reverb and Chorus effects, which can be blended between the two channels effortlessly.
If you’re part of a busking group or duo and you’re the one playing the guitar you’ll love this!
Features
- Ultra-portable
- Effects built-in
- 2 channels with independent effects
- Phantom power
3. BOSE S1 PRO PA SYSTEM WITH BATTERY PACK
The Bose S1 Pro PA System with Battery Pack may be a little more on the expensive side, but if you can stretch your budget it’s totally worth it if you value your sound when you’re out there busking.
We think this is one of the best portable PAs for busking thanks to the fact you have a 3-channel mixer specifically designed to accommodate vocals and guitars at your disposal, Bluetooth streaming and a rechargeable battery pack included that gives you up to 6 hours of performance time.
The Bose S1 Pro PA System has also been designed to be set up in different positions to give you the best sound possible, whether you’re positioning it on an elevated surface, tilted back, as a monitor in front of you or on a speaker stand.
You also have specific settings to choose from via the Tonematch functionality and Reverb, Bass, Treble controls. The Bluetooth streaming capability means you can utilise backing tracks and play them through the PA whilst you’re jamming along, or you can use the same channel as an AUX in for any external sound sources.
Plug and play, no nonsense setting up and a great deal of control over your sound makes it a perfect solution if you’re looking for a busking amp.
Features
- Bluetooth connectivity, wireless music streaming
- Rechargeable battery for up to 6 hours of continuous use
- Connect a microphone, instrument or both with an XLR and ¼” Jack
- Aux input lets you use backing tracks while performing
4. ALTO TRANSPORT 12 PORTABLE PA SYSTEM WITH WIRELESS MIC & USB
Ok, we said three, but we had to include the new kid on the block and serious contender.
The Alto Transport 12 Portable PA System with Wireless Mic & USB might just be the ultimate busker's amp. It has 400 watts of pure power, 4 channels with dedicated volume controls as well as a free wireless microphone. In addition, there's also a USB input so you can play your own backing tracks!
The 1st channel allows you to plug in an extra microphone or line-level instrument, channel 2 is for the wireless microphone, channel 3 is for your AUX inputs and channel 4 is for a line-level instrument, meaning you can essentially have a full band busking with this single, battery-powered PA.
The Alto Transport 12 Portable PA System with Wireless Mic & USB is rechargeable and provides up to 8 hours of power, and it also has wheels and a handle to wheel it around too, so it's easy to take with you through the streets!
Features
- Built-in 4-channel digital mixer
- Play backing tracks or music via USB
- AC or battery power with a lithium-ion pack
- Free wireless microphone included
5. BOSS KATANA AIR GUITAR AMPLIFIER
The Boss Katana Air is the worlds first completely wireless guitar amplifier. This amplifier allows you to completely get rid of cables and go completely wireless without suffering from any latency.
This wireless amplifier features full battery support and is powered via eight AA-size batteries or included AC adapter providing 7-10 hours of playing time.
However, it’s the included custom wireless transmitter that really sets this amplifier apart from any others out there.
This transmitter plugs into your guitar or bass the same way a guitar cable would and transmits your sound directly to the amplifier providing up to 12 hours of playing time after a single charge.
Best of all, the transmitter charges directly via the amp – just plug it in to the amplifier and leave it charging for a few hours and you’re good to go.
This is easily one of the best busking amplifiers ever created offering a huge 30 watts of power and zero wires to contend with!
Features
- Comes with wireless transmitter
- Battery operated for up to 10 hours of use
- Built in effects
- 30 watts of power
- Completely portable
THE VERDICT
All five of these amps are bound to suit different purposes. If acoustic instruments are your forte then the Boss Katana Air Guitar Amplifier might just be the option for you. It delivers immaculate clean sounds for acoustic guitars as it has a channel specifically designed for such a thing.
However, should you want to sing and play at the same time, the Bose S1 Pro PA System with Battery Pack with its 6 hours of charge time - handy for days out. With a simple multi-effects pedal added, guitar geeks will be able to get their favourite tone easily. As mentioned above, this PA speaker lends itself as a great foundation for building the ultimate busking rig which is why we feel necessary to include it within this list. If playing an electric guitar is your passion and you’re looking for an amp to busk with on weekends then the Roland Cube Street is the one for you.
It’s simple to use, has some great sounding preamps, handles vocals and acoustic guitar, and can be used for any style straight out of the box. If this is your first busking amp you can’t go wrong with the Roland Cube Street.
The star of the show here has to be the Alto Transport 12 Portable PA System with Wireless Mic & USB. While it’s more expensive than the Cube it packs some amazing features. The built-in control centre on the rear of the unit allows for a huge deal of control and even makes a fantastic option for DJ's as you can select, skip and edit the volume of songs you're playing from the USB stick.
Acoustic players are catered for straight out of the box, and while you electric players out there will require the aid of a pedal for your effects, trust us when we say it’s worth the investment as it sounds great when you do hook up an electric guitar.
It looks great, sounds great and offers more features than its competitors. For these reasons the Alto Transport 12 Portable PA System is our first choice for the all-round best busking amp.
HOW TO START BUSKING - IN 5 EASY STEPS
1. Setlist
If you’ve made it this far then you should have a better idea of what gear you’re going to need to get started. You should make sure by this point that you have a well-rehearsed setlist but bear in mind that while busking your typical listener will only take a few moments out of their busy day to listen to you.
This means that setlists can be repeated. Use your own judgement to find a balance between well-known songs and songs you can perform best. It’s also never a bad idea to have your setlist written down including song key and length.
Not only will this will keep your performances structured, but also work to keep your timings consistent. We would recommend switching up setlists every few weeks in order to keep your busking performances fresh.
2. Location
Location is almost as important as the performance itself. You should find a spot with heavy traffic of passers-by, such as high streets or popular bar locations.
If people are shopping or dining nearby whilst you busk, they may be more inclined to leave a tip. Just don’t play too loud! There’s always a balance to these things.
3. Dress To Impress
Ever heard of the peacock theory? (No, Peacocks aren’t trying to take over the world) "Peacocking" is simply dressing to stand out. It seems basic but if a frilled shirt or colourful trousers can turn heads, then why not? It also prompts passers by to give you a listen.
If you come across as quirky or interesting then people are always more inclined to help you out. With that said, this is the UK so the majority of the time you may end up looking like this:
Seriously, though: if you are going to busk in bad weather, be sure to keep your equipment dry!
4. A Guitar Case Is Great For Advertising and Gathering Tips
If you shop with PMT you’re already a smart person. This one is self-explanatory. Having a guitar hardcase can be very helpful. Remember to put up some links to your social media (Facebook, Soundcloud, Twitter etc).
5. Last But Not Least, Compromise
Busking is a lot of fun but to make life easier for yourself maybe try out a ¾ size guitar or even a ukulele.
Try to find a balance between something you’re happy to use and something that is easy to lug about. From everybody here at PMT, we hope you found this article useful, found some essential busking gear, and that you have a safe and enjoyable time busking.
ESSENTIAL BUSKING GEAR
We have supplied a few links below to additional gear which you may find useful.
Updated 2020-05-27
