The full breakdown of the specs and features is listed at the end of this review so we’ll focus on a few of the important parts that will see the most use by the typical performer. The accompanying photos will also give you some real-life scenarios.Īs mentioned, the microphone stand is always a nuisance and D’Addario understands. There are two adjustable straps on each side which can be tightened and, lo and behold, the microphone stand stays secure! Hallelujah! I’m using a three-legged standard style boom stand which folds down to a manageable size. I wouldn’t recommend trying to secure a solid base straight stand here, though you could take the weighted base off and secure the pole only. You could also store two mic stands, one on each side, or a mic on one and a guitar stand on the other. That might start to feel cumbersome and unwieldy for some, though. This Transport Pack is pretty lightweight and stands straight up without tipping over, which was an initial concern. There are straps for supporting it on your back and a sturdy, secure handle if you just want to carry the bag. Filled up with what I, and several other musicians, would use on a standard gig, the Transport Pack wasn’t too heavy and felt comfortable and manageable on the back. Our first gig was an outdoor duo gig with overcast skies that turned into a misty rain while we were performing. D’Addario claims the Transport Pack is water resistant and indeed it is. The bag was on the ground for a good portion of our show and withstood the moisture, keeping everything inside dry and drying up on the outside over time without the material showing any wear and tear.
There are a lot of creative options here for organizing your gigging life. I can’t imagine anyone filling this bag to maximum capacity, but even if that were to happen, the instrument you’re using likely has storage space of its own for some of the smaller items, giving you even more options. I’ve never really ventured into the world of backpacks but hiking friends tell me it can get very pricey to get a decent product. At under $200, this is an investment, but you get what you pay for. It doesn’t make any sounds, it can’t help you write a song and it won’t book a gig for you, but the D’Addario Backline Gear Transport Pack will make the performing songwriter’s life on the road a lot easier.