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Journeyman
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Hi Folks,
There are lots of folks here who mucho performing experience and this question goes out to you.
I have a gig coming up in less than two weeks, it's a 6 hour house party with 40-50 people.
It's planned to be outdoors if the weather cooperates, or moved indoors if it doesn't.
There will be:
Vocalist
Guitar/vocals
Bass
Drums
I'm trying to figure out what to do about the sound system.
This is where I could use your opinion.
I'm thinking of either:
a) renting a sound system
b) hiring someone to do the sound (set-up, pick-up)
c) hiring someone to do the sound and man the board
Obviously there's a huge difference in costs with these options.
Although hiring someone would take a lot of pressure off me,
I would worry up to the last minute that they wouldn't show and
the gig would fall flat on my face.
I appreciate all tips/advice.
BIABguy
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For a gig of that small size, I'd just rent a simple sound system and run it from the stage.
--Mac
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Quote:
For a gig of that small size, I'd just rent a simple sound system and run it from the stage.
+1
Mick
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Journeyman
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Quote:
For a gig of that small size, I'd just rent a simple sound system and run it from the stage.
Thanks Mac for your help!
Although I've been performing off and on for many many years now, I've never had to come up with a sound system on my own before.
Is it really a simple procedure to set up the sound system?
If I went this route, how much time would you budget for the setup?
TIA
BIABguy
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For a small gig like that i would not mike the drums, just the vocals and any accoustic guitars. A few years ago i bought a small Kustom P/A system and have never regreted it. I paid less than $200 and it was the best investment i have made. Recently some close friends borrowed it for a wedding performance and it was rock solid. The Kustom model is no longer but it was a lot like this unit. http://www.guitarcenter.com/Phonic-Powerpod-410-S710-PA-System-630485-i1395799.gc. You could rent a small system for around $100 to $150 per day, but for a little more have a small portable system that if taken care of would last. I have gotten 8 years out of mine, and it has played to up to 200 people very comfortable
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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What Mac said.
Use the backline for guitar and bass and run only the vocals (and CD-player or whatever you use for music playback in between sets) trough the sound system.
Remember when you setup that each musician wants to hear him/herself and the other bandmembers. That doesn't mean "turn your amp up" but carefully placement of the amps and the soundsystem.
break a leg.
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I'd ask the other musicians if they need monitors. Sometimes they are fussy about that. Sometimes they will be okay with the speakers pointed at an angle that all can hear. But Mac is right, for a small party like that it's easily done.
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Quote:
If I went this route, how much time would you budget for the setup?
TIA
If at all possible set up a dry run at home or wherever you rehearse with as many of the inputs as you can get together.
On day of gig I would aim to have the whole thing set up, sound checks run etc around 90 minutes before the very first guests are due to arrive. This leaves you some time to sort out any unforeseen difficulty.
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It is also helpful if you have someone whose musical judgment you trust--wife/GF, nonplaying muso--anyone who is not distracted with either playing or with the function itself (which is why you wouldn't ask the host)--to help with sound in terms of reporting to you on balance, tone, and overall volume level. Get them to do this at intervals before you start (that's your sound check) and during the first set. They will need to walk around the space while you are playing in order to get a meaningful read. Do this two or three times and you will have about as good a setup you can without having an actual soundman. (And it's BETTER than having a soundperson who doesn't really know what they're doing.)
During sound check, dial in the FOH (front of house) sound first with the monitors turned all the way down, then add monitor to fill in what you can't hear from the mains. Unless it's a really weird stage setup, for a party that small, you shouldn't need much in the way of monitor levels. It's easy to go crazy with it if you've never had proper monitors before.
Make a checklist and check it off as you pack so that you'll remember everything. Have spare cables (mic and speaker (for which you can use instrument cables in a pinch)) and maybe an extra mic or two on hand, just in case. Take way more extension AC cords and outlet strips than you think you could possibly need. Have duct ("gaffer's") tape with you to secure any cords or cables that must run across the floor. Have a LOT of duct tape with you.
Tell us more about the system and the room as you get closer to the function, and we can give you more specific advice.
R.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Quote:
Is it really a simple procedure to set up the sound system?
If I went this route, how much time would you budget for the setup?
TIA
Ask the Rental people to show you how to set it up, what connections to make where, etc. Take notes if needed.
TIP: When setting your sound levels, the MIcs and other input knobs/faders should be set up high, while the Master fader should be down low or "cracked" open just enough to get the volume needed. Inputs on about 70% and Master at about 20-30% The inputs should always be higher setting than the master. This will reduce feedback and also give best signal to noise ratio.
--Mac
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E-lectric guitars should have the volume turned all the way up. (LOL) Problem is player A jumps his 10 percent, the B by 20, and so on. Soon enough it all foo...
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Quote:
E-lectric guitars should have the volume turned all the way up. (LOL) Problem is player A jumps his 10 percent, the B by 20, and so on. Soon enough it all foo...
But what if they go to 11? 
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Apprentice
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Your solution is the Bose L1: http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/speakers/portable_amplification_systems/index.jspYour situation is pretty much exactly what they were designed for. I've used them a few times in a few situations (once in a coffee house with just one of them, once in a small club with two, and once using three of them as the PA for a small 300-seater theatre). Every time they performed well, sounded great, are super portable and are REALLY dead-easy to set up. I honestly can't recommend these enough - and since they are a single integrated system you don't have to rent a mixer, monitors, run a bunch of cables, etc etc etc.... They are the best for what you need. Just rent a pair of those and you're laughing.
Last edited by Josh - PG Music Inc.; 06/30/09 08:58 AM.
----- Do you love the Floyd as much as I do? If so, click away the moments that make up the dull day: www.canadianpinkfloyd.com
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+1 for the Bose, if you can find one to rent, it would be the easiest for you to operate, matter of fact they are virtually plug 'n play systems that automatically provide for the critical monitoring issue and do not suffer from the problems of feedback.
Sound great, easy to use, light in weight.
One, with a mixer for input so you can do a few mics and lines, will easily handle a 50 - 100 person venue.
--Mac
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Journeyman
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Quote:
If at all possible set up a dry run at home or wherever you rehearse with as many of the inputs as you can get together.
On day of gig I would aim to have the whole thing set up, sound checks run etc around 90 minutes before the very first guests are due to arrive. This leaves you some time to sort out any unforeseen difficulty.
First I'd like to thank everyone for your valuable input on this!
With the consensus of going for a rental/purchase, I'll go this route.
This is a pick-up group. The singer does know the drummer, but I have never met any of the band members.
A sound check 90 minutes before performing would be nice but with the musicians arriving maybe 30-60 minutes before performing, it's not likely to happen.
I will definitely get there as early as possible to set up the system, but as far as as sound check or dry run is concerned that will be tough.
I will test out the system at my house the night before, just to make sure I know the thing works! 
As far as more details on the venue. They are aiming for outdoors if the weather cooperates.
We would setup right next to the house and facing the back yard. The yard is rather huge with a forested area beyond the yard.
We would be covered by a balcony above.
BIABguy
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Do Long and McQuade rent the Bose L1?
John Conley
Musica est vita
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They sure do, John - that's where I get them every time!
----- Do you love the Floyd as much as I do? If so, click away the moments that make up the dull day: www.canadianpinkfloyd.com
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Quote:
A sound check 90 minutes before performing would be nice but with the musicians arriving maybe 30-60 minutes before performing, it's not likely to happen.
I will definitely get there as early as possible to set up the system, but as far as as sound check or dry run is concerned that will be tough.
That's where your roving assistant comes in. Have them report to you between the first couple of numbers on levels, tone, and balance among instruments and vocals, make the appropriate adjustments, and you'll have it as good as it's going to get.
Or, if the audience is paying attention and it feels right, ask for comments from them. You will know who knows what they're talking about. (Hint: It's NOT the one asking for "more cowbell".)
R.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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I do not recommend asking the audience over the mic for their opinion about sound levels AT. ALL.
--Mac
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50 people = 50 opinions all different! Remember the three bears and goldielocks
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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