Things you don't get taught

DonovanB

Playing live this weekend I learned a few valuable lessons i figure I should share.

We played at a theatre who said their sound was good, but was actually a 6 channel desk with 2 monitor sends. We had to rig our own borrowed setup to compensate. We took it for granted that what the venue told us was true. Double check that.
Our lead guitarists pedal failed him in the middle of a song and he couldnt play his solo. In that instance it is best to have some sort of backup, like the other members covering with an impromptu solo to take the attention away from the problem. Even a mediocre bass solo will get people looking somewhere else so you can quicly do something about the problem.
Check your gear before hand. If a pedal or lead or something has a chance of failing, don't use it. If you don't have a backup you can normally make some sort of plan but it is better to play clean without buzzing or faulty effects.

rock on..

[deleted]

These kind of stories horrify my, I'm going to start obsesively stockpiling things now.

DonovanB

Preparation and planning will solve all this.

Bob-Dubery

DonovanB wrote: Playing live this weekend I learned a few valuable lessons i figure I should share.

We played at a theatre who said their sound was good, but was actually a 6 channel desk with 2 monitor sends. We had to rig our own borrowed setup to compensate. We took it for granted that what the venue told us was true. Double check that.

Nobody will say their sound system sucks. You have to stipulate, so many channels, so many monitor sends etc. "Our minimum requirements are...."

[deleted]

Well, sometimes these things fail without giving much notice that they're about to do so (in my own experience, I've had a pedal fail at a gig with no warning but, mercifully, it wasn't a complete fail). But maintenance and regular checks are vitally important, agreed.

+1 on the "cover me if something breaks and I can't do my solo" point.

Heath

i remember playing a gig once , where the lead guitarists amp failed completely , where it worked 2 hours before . i had to take up the slack and play rhythm and lead at the same time , went ok , but a horrible listen to learn.

considering everything all the FX he used was built in the amp he couldn't move across to something else . thats why my stage amp is set for onbaord FX and i have my stomp boxes (incase i need to move to another amp or direct into the mixer)

but if it's sound dodgey at home or rehersals get it checked or replaced .

DonovanB

Bob Dubery wrote: Nobody will say their sound system sucks. You have to stipulate, so many channels, so many monitor sends etc. "Our minimum requirements are...."

true, thanks. I still reckon its best to see it yourself regardless. It could be dead completely even if they do have it.

Learning the hard way sucks...

Riaan-Combrink

@ Alan/Norio: Could we move this thread to 'Performance'? It builds on some threads we've had there (to build up that resource). Hope you're OK with that, Donovan?

Those are three key issues, Donovan. Agreed.

I must also emphasise Bob's point. I once had to play a wedding about 150 kms from home. Also assured PA was available and up to scratch, etc. I insisted that they PHOTOGRAPH the rig, including the back (with all connections), and e-mail me the pix. This was so that I could (1) determine whether I needed to take anything along and (2) see what kind of connectors they use and what space there is for things I needed to connect. I then also took along some spares for their PA!! If you blow a wedding for which you've taken a couple of grand because the venue's speaker cables, whatever, failed, its your rep gone, not theirs. The wedding couple (and all their guests, aka potential clients), will just remember that your band was unable to play - they won't blame the venue.

So how many spares and what level of backup you need to take along increases commensurately with the profile, importance and fee involved in the gig. I've posted some other ideas here, before (see para 5 of the first post):
http://www.guitarforum.co.za/performance/professionalism-not-a-dirty-word-(or-rules-to-maintain-your-rep)/

Thanks for raising the issue. Its these kinds of practical insights that will grow the "Performance' category as a useful source for the aspiring live players on the forum.

DonovanB

Riaan C wrote: @ Alan/Norio: Could we move this thread to 'Performance'? It builds on some threads we've had there (to build up that resource). Hope you're OK with that, Donovan?

Those are three key issues, Donovan. Agreed.

I must also emphasise Bob's point. I once had to play a wedding about 150 kms from home. Also assured PA was available and up to scratch, etc. I insisted that they PHOTOGRAPH the rig, including the back (with all connections), and e-mail me the pix. This was so that I could (1) determine whether I needed to take anything along and (2) see what kind of connectors they use and what space there is for things I needed to connect. I then also took along some spares for their PA!! If you blow a wedding for which you've taken a couple of grand because the venue's speaker cables, whatever, failed, its your rep gone, not theirs. The wedding couple (and all their guests, aka potential clients), will just remember that your band was unable to play - they won't blame the venue.

So how many spares and what level of backup you need to take along increases commensurately with the profile, importance and fee involved in the gig. I've posted some other ideas here, before (see para 5 of the first post):
http://www.guitarforum.co.za/performance/professionalism-not-a-dirty-word-(or-rules-to-maintain-your-rep)/

Thanks for raising the issue. Its these kinds of practical insights that will grow the "Performance' category as a useful source for the aspiring live players on the forum.

Thats exactly right. Basically what I'm saying is you make sure. Yourself and Bob just clarified ? :applause:

I don't mind where this thread is. as long as we can share and learn its a win.

Keira-WitherKay

welcome to the world of live showbiz.....

yeah carry spares and guitarists even if you have a fancy guitar fx unit carry a spare overdive /distortion unit.... cos if the fx unit fails you can wack the guitar straight through PA with distortion unit and reverb from desk and still get through show,,,, and i have seen pedal booards fail when the power in the venue fluctuates... and causes havoc with onboard electronics then an old ibanez tube screamer with a battery in it comes to the rescue....

also carry soldering iron and spare cables to every show.... i even carry a spare mini mixer and powered speaker in car in case i need it ....

the back up might not be great sound .... but it allows you to finish the show....

peace and light
Keira

TomCat

When I did a lot of touring we had only one rule.....WE ONLY USE OUR OWN PA.......No one else's. In about 300 gigs we only broke this rule Twice......both times.......TOTAL DISASTER.......never did that again....