Electronics Design
Equipment plans, signal flow, rack and cart layouts, routing documentation, purchasing guidance, and systems students can operate confidently.
MARCHING BAND GEAR GUIDE
Practical equipment recommendations for band directors, percussionists, and marching arts programs. These are tools selected for useful rehearsal, performance, recording, and production applications.
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KILBY SCORE & SOUND
KILBY SCORE & SOUND
KILBY SCORE & SOUND
KILBY SCORE & SOUND
KILBY SCORE & SOUND
Marching band electronics that work without all of the stress.
Field-tested system design, MainStage programming, sound design, and custom arranging for programs that need reliable technology and clear implementation.
Discuss an Electronics Project Explore Arranging Services
WAYS I CAN HELP
Electronics Design
Equipment plans, signal flow, rack and cart layouts, routing documentation, purchasing guidance, and systems students can operate confidently.
MainStage & Playback
Mainstage concert file design, MIDI routing, patch programming, redundant playback, output mapping, and implementation support.
Arranging & Sound Design
Custom percussion and electronics books, synth parts, samples, rehearsal audio, scores, and revisions.
Recording Services
Professional voice-over, concert band, percussion ensemble, and ensemble audio recording, from session planning and microphone placement through editing and delivery.
Mic Locker: Neumann U 87, Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel, stereo AKG C414s, stereo Neumann KM 184s, stereo ADK SD-O-FX microphones, and assorted drum-set microphones.
PRIORITY ACCESS
Already a client?
Current clients receive continued help with implementation, compatibility questions, file organization, revisions, and practical adjustments as a production developes throughout the season.
Request an Update Get Technical Support
EXPERIENCE BEHIND THE SYSTEM
Wando High School Electronics Coordinator
BOA Grand Nationals Finalist
Published through Tapspace and C. Alan Publications
Innovative Percussion, Evans, Sabian, and D’Addario
Search the gear guide
Browse 79 products
Marching band electronics that work without all of the stress.
Field-tested system design, MainStage programming, sound design, and custom arranging for programs that need reliable technology and clear implementation.
Discuss an Electronics Project Explore Arranging Services
WAYS I CAN HELP
Electronics Design
Equipment plans, signal flow, rack and cart layouts, routing documentation, purchasing guidance, and systems students can operate confidently.
MainStage & Playback
Mainstage concert file design, MIDI routing, patch programming, redundant playback, output mapping, and implementation support.
Arranging & Sound Design
Custom percussion and electronics books, synth parts, samples, rehearsal audio, scores, and revisions.
Recording Services
Professional voice-over, concert band, percussion ensemble, and ensemble audio recording, from session planning and microphone placement through editing and delivery.
Mic Locker: Neumann U 87, Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel, stereo AKG C414s, stereo Neumann KM 184s, stereo ADK SD-O-FX microphones, and assorted drum-set microphones.
PRIORITY ACCESS
Already a client?
Current clients receive continued help with implementation, compatibility questions, file organization, revisions, and practical adjustments as a production developes throughout the season.
Request an Update Get Technical Support
EXPERIENCE BEHIND THE SYSTEM
Wando High School Electronics Coordinator
BOA Grand Nationals Finalist
Published through Tapspace and C. Alan Publications
Innovative Percussion, Evans, Sabian, and D’Addario
Search the gear guide
Browse 75 products
Marching band electronics that work without all of the stress.
Field-tested system design, MainStage programming, sound design, and custom arranging for programs that need reliable technology and clear implementation.
Discuss an Electronics Project Explore Arranging Services
WAYS I CAN HELP
Electronics Design
Equipment plans, signal flow, rack and cart layouts, routing documentation, purchasing guidance, and systems students can operate confidently.
MainStage & Playback
Mainstage concert file design, MIDI routing, patch programming, redundant playback, output mapping, and implementation support.
Arranging & Sound Design
Custom percussion and electronics books, synth parts, samples, rehearsal audio, scores, and revisions.
Recording Services
Professional voice-over, concert band, percussion ensemble, and ensemble audio recording, from session planning and microphone placement through editing and delivery.
Mic Locker: Neumann U 87, Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel, stereo AKG C414s, stereo Neumann KM 184s, stereo ADK SD-O-FX microphones, and assorted drum-set microphones.
PRIORITY ACCESS
Already a client?
Current clients receive continued help with implementation, compatibility questions, file organization, revisions, and practical adjustments as a production developes throughout the season.
Request an Update Get Technical Support
EXPERIENCE BEHIND THE SYSTEM
Wando High School Electronics Coordinator
BOA Grand Nationals Finalist
Published through Tapspace and C. Alan Publications
Innovative Percussion, Evans, Sabian, and D’Addario
Search the gear guide
Browse 71 products
Marching band electronics that work without all of the stress.
Field-tested system design, MainStage programming, sound design, and custom arranging for programs that need reliable technology and clear implementation.
Discuss an Electronics Project Explore Arranging Services
WAYS I CAN HELP
Electronics Design
Equipment plans, signal flow, rack and cart layouts, routing documentation, purchasing guidance, and systems students can operate confidently.
MainStage & Playback
Mainstage concert file design, MIDI routing, patch programming, redundant playback, output mapping, and implementation support.
Arranging & Sound Design
Custom percussion and electronics books, synth parts, samples, rehearsal audio, scores, and revisions.
Recording Services
Professional voice-over, concert band, percussion ensemble, and ensemble audio recording, from session planning and microphone placement through editing and delivery.
Mic Locker: Neumann U 87, Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel, stereo AKG C414s, stereo Neumann KM 184s, stereo ADK SD-O-FX microphones, and assorted drum-set microphones.
PRIORITY ACCESS
Already a client?
Current clients receive continued help with implementation, compatibility questions, file organization, revisions, and practical adjustments as a production developes throughout the season.
Request an Update Get Technical Support
EXPERIENCE BEHIND THE SYSTEM
Wando High School Electronics Coordinator
BOA Grand Nationals Finalist
Published through Tapspace and C. Alan Publications
Innovative Percussion, Evans, Sabian, and D’Addario
Search the gear guide
Browse 67 products
Marching band electronics that work without all of the stress.
Field-tested system design, MainStage programming, sound design, and custom arranging for programs that need reliable technology and clear implementation.
Discuss an Electronics Project Explore Arranging Services
WAYS I CAN HELP
Electronics Design
Equipment plans, signal flow, rack and cart layouts, routing spreadsheets, purchasing guidance, and systems students can operate confidently.
MainStage & Playback
Mainstage concert file design, MIDI routing, patch programming, redundant playback, output mapping, and implementation support.
Arranging & Sound Design
Custom percussion and electronics books, synth parts, samples, rehearsal audio, scores, and revisions.
Recording Services
Professional voice-over, concert band, percussion ensemble, and ensemble audio recording, from session planning and microphone placement through editing and delivery.
Mic Locker: Neumann U 87, Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel, stereo AKG C414s, stereo Neumann KM 184s, stereo ADK SD-O-FX microphones, and assorted drum-set microphones.
PRIORITY ACCESS
Already a client?
Current clients receive continued help with implementation, compatibility questions, file organization, revisions, and practical adjustments as a production develops throughout the season.
Request an Update Get Technical Support
EXPERIENCE BEHIND THE SYSTEM
Wando High School Percussion Director/Electronics Coordinator
BOA Grand Nationals Finalist
Published through Tapspace and C. Alan Publications
Search the gear guide
Browse 63 products
GEAR IN ACTION
Gallery
FRONT ENSEMBLE & PERCUSSION
M-Audio Keystation 88 MK3
A full-size 88-key USB MIDI controller for MainStage rigs, electronic front-ensemble parts, and composing. My favorite, because it has full range and is lightweight. If using multiple MIDI controllers, use different brands or the U6 MIDI Box listed to avoid MainStage input confusion.
ForHelp 15.6-Inch Portable Monitor
A slim 1080p USB-C/HDMI display that can give a MainStage operator, synth player, or production station more screen space without adding a bulky desktop monitor. It’s cheap and replaceable if it breaks.
WALI Adjustable Laptop/Monitor Desk Mount
A ventilated, adjustable tray that gets a laptop off the table and into a more comfortable viewing position. Useful when building a compact electronics or front-ensemble command station. Handy for tweaking mainstage files while mirroring synth setup while standing behind the mixer.
BILIONE Microphone Stand Tray
A clamp-on utility tray that I use to hold up buckets on mic stands.
YYST Clamp-On Headphone Hanger
A simple stand-mounted hook for hanging buckets on stands.
ELECTRONICS & MAINSTAGE
CME U6MIDI Pro MIDI Interface
A compact 3-in/3-out USB MIDI interface with routing, mapping, and filtering. A flexible choice for connecting several controllers or sound modules while keeping a MainStage or hardware rig organized. Handy if your MIDI controllers frequently sync to the wrong inputs in MainStage.
7-Port USB-C and USB-A Hub
A multiport aluminum hub with four USB-A and three USB-C data ports. Helpful for expanding a laptop-based electronics setup when controllers, interfaces, and other peripherals compete for connections. Has been pretty reliable for me.
SYBECHATF PowerCON Extension Cable — 3 ft
A short 12-gauge locking-power extension for compatible PowerCON equipment. Useful for tidy rack and cart wiring where a conventional loose power connector is not ideal. My go-to for connecting line arrays.
GEARit Shielded CAT6 EtherCON Cable — 100 ft
A long, ruggedized network cable for running out to EtherCON soloists. I use these for soloist boxes or to run to our stage box (DANTE). The EtherCON-style shells add protection for repeated setup and teardown. More expensive, but have never broken on me and lock in place.
GEARit Shielded CAT6 EtherCON Cable — 50 ft
A long, ruggedized network cable for running out to EtherCON soloists. I use these for soloist boxes or to run to our stage box (DANTE). The EtherCON-style shells add protection for repeated setup and teardown. More expensive, but have never broken on me and lock in place.
GEARit Shielded CAT6 EtherCON Cable — 6 ft
A short patch length for racks and nearby devices. It is well suited to clean, protected connections where ordinary RJ45 plugs may see too much wear.
StarTech 3 ft CAT6a Ethernet Cable
A short snagless patch cable for close-range network connections inside a rack or electronics station. The compact length helps reduce excess cable clutter. I use these to run from my custom panels on the oustide of carts to my stage box.
J&D 5-Pin XLR DMX Cable
A braided male-to-female 5-pin DMX. Can take two XLR channels in one cable and is ideal for making runs to VP88 stereo mics with less of a cord-tangled headache.
HOSONGIN 5-Pin XLR DMX Cable — 5 ft
A braided male-to-female 5-pin DMX. Can take two XLR channels in one cable and is ideal for making runs to VP88 stereo mics with less of a cord-tangled headache.
View on Amazon
HOZIBING 5-Pin XLR Female-to-Female Adapters — 2 Pack
XLRs work the same way when you flip their genders. A connection is a connection. These have gotten me out of some binds and enabled some creative solutions with connectors.
PENGLIN EtherCON RJ45 Chassis Sockets — 5 Pack
Building your own panels is cheaper, and they can be easily labeled so that children don’t plug their cables into the wrong ports and ruin everything.
AUDIO & RECORDING
Shure VP88 Stereo Condenser Microphone
A single-point stereo microphone for field sound. The most organic solution out there. Worth the price. Throw your other shotguns away (not really, but these are way better).
RØDE SB20 Stereo Array Spacing Bar
A sturdy mounting bar for positioning two microphones in stereo arrays. Useful for repeatable concert band ensemble-recording setups when mic spacing and angle need to stay consistent.
Manfrotto 1004BAC Master Light Stand
A tall, air-cushioned aluminum stand that can support elevated microphones or recording accessories with the proper adapters. It is especially useful when you need height above an ensemble. I use it for concert band recording.
Eggsnow Universal Microphone Shock Mount
An affordable suspension mount for compatible shotgun and slim condenser microphones. It helps reduce vibrations and frame noise when recording rehearsals or performances. I use it for shotgun mics and for any SM57s under keyboard instruments.
LyxPro 4-Channel XLR-to-CAT6 Breakout Set
A pair of breakout boxes that carry four analog XLR channels over one compatible CAT cable. This can simplify long stage runs and reduce the number of separate microphone cables crossing a rehearsal space. This brand has been reliable for me- we beat them to death at Wando (even in rain they held up decently! The DB25 boxes did not, ha!)
Amazon Basics XLR Microphone Cable — 10 ft
A straightforward 3-pin male-to-female XLR cable for microphones, speakers, PA equipment, and recording setups. The 10-foot length is nice for runs across larger instruments (marimbas) for building a daisy chain. 6-feet can work great for vibes!
Audio2000S ADC203K Dual XLR Cable — 50 ft
An integrated pair of 50-foot balanced XLR cables for long stereo microphone runs. I use for connecting multiple speaker towers that require different channels to each tower, or for running stereo outputs for synth players that are in their own zone.
FIELD & REHEARSAL ESSENTIALS
MKS Plastics 1-Gallon Bucket with Airtight Lid
A compact lidded bucket for storing shorter runs of cables. Buckets are way more efficient than hose winders. You can run things out so much more quickly! Use the drill bit listed below to cut a neat hole in the bottom.
MKS Plastics 5-Gallon Buckets with Airtight Lids — 3 Pack
Heavy-duty black buckets for larger cable runs (speakers, shotguns with a lot of cable). Use the drill bit listed below to cut a neat hole in the bottom.
Eargasm High-Fidelity Earplugs
Reusable filtered earplugs that reduce overall level while preserving more musical clarity than basic foam plugs. These have been the sweet spot for price and effectiveness for me, because I lose them more often than I’d care to admit.
Alex Tech 25 ft Cord Protector Sleeve
A one-inch split sleeve for bundling and protecting groups of cables. It can make rehearsal setups cleaner while helping reduce tangles and abrasion around carts and electronics stations. You can run power and signal at the same time, or stereo signal and power. Then store in a 5-gallon bucket hanging on a speaker. Always run from speaker to mixer, not the other way around.
NEIKO Titanium Step Drill Bit
A multi-size step bit for drilling clean holes in compatible thin materials when building carts, rack panels, or custom hardware. Measure carefully and use the proper safety equipment for the material. I use this to drill holes in buckets, drill D-punches for sound equipment, and install tom mounts in impact drums. This guy and I go way back.
Always confirm connector types, dimensions, electrical requirements, and equipment compatibility before ordering. Prices and availability can change on Amazon.
POWER, RACKS & PRODUCTION HARDWARE
BLUETTI AC180 Portable Power Station
A high-capacity portable power station for electronics carts. Useful for keeping computers, interfaces, and other production equipment running away from an outlet. Power up during warm-up and skip the stress of turning everything on for the first time in the field in front of a live audience. Using multiple of these creates multiple failure points. Better to have 3 of 4 speaker towers running than all failing!
QiaoYoubang Rack Panel with D-Series Punch-Outs
A blank rack panel with D-size connector openings for building clean custom input and output panels. A practical starting point for labeled XLR, EtherCON, USB, and power connections on an electronics cart. Let your rack panel bear the weight and abuse of daily connections and protect your valuable gear.
ANMBEST EtherCON RJ45 Chassis Connectors
Panel-mount RJ45 feed-through connectors with locking EtherCON-style shells. Useful for durable network connections on racks, carts, and custom panels that are repeatedly set up and torn down.
Pearl PCX100 Rack Clamp
A dependable Pearl rack clamp for attaching compatible percussion hardware to a square rack rail. Handy for adding accessory arms, mounts, and custom electronics hardware to a front-ensemble cart. I often buy these used on Reverb. A clamp is a clamp.
Sonnet RackMac mini for 2024 Mac mini
A rackmount enclosure designed to install 2024-generation Mac mini computers in a standard equipment rack. It keeps a playback or MainStage computer protected and integrated with the rest of a touring electronics system. Used at many schools with success!
Sonnet RackMac mini for 2018–2023 Mac mini
A rackmount solution for earlier Intel and Apple-silicon Mac mini models. Useful for securing a dedicated show computer while preserving front access in a portable production rack.
MIXERS, STAGE BOXES & PLAYBACK
PreSonus StudioLive 16R Rack Mixer
A compact rackmount digital mixer that can serve as a stagebox, monitor mixer, or small production console. Its form factor works well in mobile marching-band and rehearsal rigs where rack space matters.
Allen & Heath Avantis Digital Mixer
A powerful digital mixing console with dual touchscreens and extensive routing for large marching-band, concert, and production systems. This is the centerpiece of our current front-ensemble audio setup at Wando. Ain’t cheap, but truly amazing capabilities.
Allen & Heath AB168 Portable Stagebox
A portable 16-input, 8-output stagebox for compatible Allen & Heath systems. It reduces long analog cable runs and puts microphone inputs and speaker outputs closer to the performers. Not cheap, but amazing.
Allen & Heath GX4816 Stagebox
A high-channel-count remote expander with 48 inputs and 16 outputs for compatible Allen & Heath consoles. A strong fit for large ensembles that need many microphone, synth, and playback connections at the field or stage. We use this at Wando. Expensive but remarkable.
GL.iNet Opal AC1200 Travel Router
A compact dual-band travel router for creating a private control network around mixers, computers, and production devices. Run in “bridge mode” to create a network with the mixer AND the MainStage rig on one network (even if in separate carts separated by multiple feet). I mirrored everything to my personal computer even during our 2025 Grand Nationals run.
Roland SP-404MKII Creative Sampler
A portable performance sampler for triggering effects, voiceovers, loops, and musical cues. The pads, onboard processing, and flexible routing make it useful for marching-band sound design and live playback. Much more reliable than most; also allows computer backup in case all the samples get dumped at SC state context and you have to back up the unit in the warm-up lot. Hypothetically.
iConnectivity PlayAUDIO1U Audio/MIDI Interface
A tour-ready audio and MIDI interface built for redundant live-playback systems. It provides automatic computer failover, 12 balanced XLR outputs, and flexible MIDI control for dependable MainStage and backing-track rigs. Can save output configurations so the kid playing synth doesn’t have to touch more than they need to.
iConnectivity mioXL MIDI Interface
A rackmount MIDI interface and network-routing hub for connecting multiple controllers, computers, and hardware devices. Its USB, DIN-MIDI, and Ethernet routing make it especially useful in complex MainStage and marching-band electronics systems. Handy, especially because it can power a lot of MIDI keyboards at once without risky powered USB hubs.
MICROPHONES & MOUNTS
Audio-Technica AT2035 Condenser Microphone
A versatile large-diaphragm cardioid condenser for recording instruments, ensembles, and spoken audio. Its switchable pad and low-cut filter make it adaptable to both studio and rehearsal applications. We use it under all of our keyboards. More expensive than an SM57 but comes with it's own shock mount, which saves money in the end.
Shure SM57 Dynamic Microphone
The standard durable instrument microphone for percussion, amplifiers, and countless live-sound applications. It handles high sound levels well and is easy to replace or repurpose as a setup grows. Great under marimbas, but you have to buy a separate shock mount (linked on this page).
On-Stage DS7200B Adjustable Desktop Microphone Stand
A compact weighted-base stand for positioning beneath keyboard instruments. The adjustable height makes it more flexible than a fixed short stand. Lock it in.
ADDITIONAL GEAR RESOURCES
Redco D-Series Panel Labels
Pre-cut labels for identifying D-series connector panels. A clean way to mark custom XLR, EtherCON, USB, and power connections so setup remains fast and kid-friendly.
Reverb
A large marketplace for new, used, and hard-to-find musical equipment. It can be especially useful when sourcing discontinued electronics, percussion hardware, microphones, and replacement gear. Save money and buy used!
Performance Carts
Purpose-built carts and accessories for marching-band instruments, audio systems, and electronics. A useful source when an off-the-shelf cart is preferable to fabricating one from scratch. They designed custom carts for Wando, and they are GLORIOUS and much less expensive than other brands. Love them!
Bands of Wando Reverb Shop
The Bands of Wando shop for available instruments, equipment, and program surplus listed through Reverb. We sell gear cheaply to fellow music educators and take pride in helping programs with equipment we no longer use.
BAND AUDIO SYSTEMS & ACCESSORIES
PreSonus StudioLive 32R Rack Mixer
A 32-channel rackmount digital mixer for large marching-band and rehearsal systems. It combines extensive microphone inputs, flexible monitor mixing, multitrack recording, and remote control in a compact rack format. Comes with its own iPad and computer app.
M-Audio Keystation 61 MK3
A lightweight 61-key USB MIDI controller for secondary synth stations, compact MainStage rigs, and situations where a full 88-key controller is unnecessary.
Novation Launchkey 61 MK3
A 61-key controller with pads, knobs, faders, and strong software integration. Useful when a marching-band electronics book requires hands-on control of layers, effects, clips, or parameters.
Behringer Eurolive B205D Powered Monitor
A compact 150-watt powered monitor with a small onboard mixer. It works well as a personal synth monitor, rehearsal speaker, or portable utility speaker for an electronics station.
D’Addario Modular Snake DB25 Core — 5 ft
A short eight-channel DB25 core for connecting compatible D’Addario Modular Snake breakouts, stage boxes, and rack panels while keeping internal rack wiring tidy. If I’m honest, I don’t use these any more, but there are many practical applications for them.
D’Addario Modular Snake Stage Box
An eight-channel stage box for the D’Addario Modular Snake system. It provides a convenient connection point for microphone and line-level runs without building a permanent custom panel. If I’m honest, I don’t use these anymore, but they have many practical applications.
D’Addario Modular Snake Male XLR Breakout
An eight-channel male-XLR breakout for compatible D’Addario DB25 core cables. Useful for fan-out connections between rack equipment, mixers, amplifiers, and stage wiring.
Shure QLXD4 Digital Wireless Receiver — G50
Friends don’t let friends buy XVIVE wireless systems or other cheap solutions. They won’t last, and they’ll waste your money. A half-rack digital wireless receiver with network control, frequency scanning, and dependable RF performance. A professional option for soloists, announcements, and featured performers.
Shure QLXD1 Bodypack Transmitter — G50
A durable digital bodypack transmitter for compatible QLX-D systems. It is useful with lavalier, headset, or instrument microphones when performers need wireless mobility.
Shure UA874US Active Directional Antenna
An amplified directional antenna for compatible Shure wireless systems. When properly positioned, it can improve RF coverage and help focus reception toward the performance area.
K&M 20800 Overhead Microphone Stand
A tall, heavy-duty stand designed for elevated and overhead microphone placement. Its height and stability make it useful for field microphones and large-ensemble recording.
RØDE DeadCat Artificial-Fur Windscreen
A furry windscreen for compatible RØDE shotgun microphones. It helps reduce wind noise during outdoor rehearsals, field recordings, and marching-band performances. Great for shotgun mics but I use the stock windscreen for VP88s.
Gator Frameworks Quick-Release Mic Attachments — 3 Pack
A three-pack of threaded quick-release microphone attachments for faster setup and teardown. Useful when you regularly reassign the same stands between microphones or wireless antennas. Quick switches rule for a quick pack-up!
On-Stage QK-2B Quik-Release Mic Adapter
A push-button quick-release adapter for standard microphone-stand threading. It speeds up repeated installation and removal of microphones, clips, and compatible accessories. A little cheaper and less robust than the Gator ones, but still work great!
KILBY SCORE & SOUND
Marching band electronics that work without all of the stress.
Field-tested system design, MainStage programming, sound design, and custom arranging for programs that need reliable technology and clear implementation.
WAYS I CAN HELP
MainStage & Playback
Mainstage concert file design, MIDI routing, patch programming, redundant playback, output mapping, and implementation support.
Arranging & Sound Design
Custom percussion and electronics books, synth parts, samples, rehearsal audio, scores, and revisions.
PRIORITY ACCESS
Already a client?
Current clients receive continued help with implementation, compatibility questions, file organization, revisions, and practical adjustments as a production developes throughout the season.
EXPERIENCE BEHIND THE SYSTEM
- Wando High School Electronics Coordinator
- BOA Grand Nationals Finalist
- Published through Tapspace and C. Alan Publications
- Innovative Percussion, Evans, Sabian, and D’Addario