Even the smallest venue requires microphones for performers. On the stage, microphones may be used to amplify every band member for vocal parts, along with their instruments. Many clubs set up microphones on instruments as well, be it the acoustic guitar, in front of an instrument's amplifier speakers or specialized microphones on each drum. Microphones are imperative when working with woodwind or wind instruments such as the saxophone, clarinet and trumpet, as their volume can't be heard above an electric guitar amplifier or a drum kit. Even if the band does not use vocal parts in their songs, microphones are still necessary as the performers might like to communicate with the audience.
Musicians are often required to bring their own cables for connecting instruments to amplifiers, as well as connecting to foot pedals. Venues usually supply the microphones and the XLR cables that connect microphones to amplifiers or a soundboard. XLR cables have male and female ends that come in varying lengths, depending on the size of the venue.
Mixers or soundboards are used to equalize and control the sound and volume levels coming from multiple input sources, be it instrumental microphones or vocal microphones. Use of a mixer or soundboard is imperative when operating with multiple microphones since levels would need to be adjusted especially in the case of vocal microphones.
Speakers are not necessary for very small clubs or taverns but are imperative with any venue that can hold over 50 people. The band's different sounds during a song travel through the microphone lines into the mixing board to be equalized before being emitted through the venue's speakers. Speakers are usually equipped on both sides of a stage or platform, and should always be pointed in the direction of the center of the floor, which allows guests to hear all instruments equally.