New band, limited setup, unknown venue, etc - what do I ask the venue to be prepared?

Swimming Bird · #1 04-21-2011, 04:00 PM

Hi all,

I'm new to this section (I usually hang out in effects) and I could really use some help. I've got a band that jammed for the first time last night and we've got a gig next Wednesday. It's me on bass w/lots of effects, a keyboardist who typically DJs, and perhaps the best drummer in town playing who knows what (might be e-drums, might be buckets, might be a full kit). We're doing live electronic dance music, improvised for now.

Our gig is going to be at a club that regularly features DJs and some live music. The night we're playing is all DJs except for us -- we get 30-45 minutes in the middle of our key player's DJ set. I've been to this club and they have great sound, but I've only seen DJs.

Basically, I have a pedal board with no DI, a keyboard player, and a drummer and no idea of our final setup or the venue's. Here's my list of questions for them so far:
- Do you have DIs? If so, how many may we use?
- Will you have a mixing board set up?
- Will you have monitors set up?

What else should I be asking them?

uhdinator · #2 04-21-2011, 05:51 PM

-do they have a standard multi channel mixer other than a DJ mixer that will work for your gear

-do they have vocal mics, cables and stands if you don't

-do they have a snake box to get to the mixer or do you need long cables to reach the mixer?

-Drum mics and cables to mic drums?

-a sound guy to help you and run the mix?

-can you bring a sound guy if they dont have one

- is the PA Mono or stereo? (do you need stereo DI for Keys then?)

not picking on DJ's cause they don't deal with it in their gigs, but most I have met prob don't know what a DI box is or how to use it. And am guessing a DJ may be the guy helping you with the sound system.

**ShoeManiac** · #3 04-21-2011, 06:51 PM

Based on what you're saying? I think you might need to make a visit to the venue to check things out. You said that they host SOME live music, right? If that's the case their PA may be a bit more flexible than the typical club that has a DJ.

First question? If they have a house sound engineer, speak with them. Let them know what the band lineup is, and ask specifically what they may need from you. If they do not have a house sound man, then things get more complicated.

Swimming Bird · #4 04-22-2011, 08:58 AM

Thanks guys, this should get me started.

Slight problem with approaching the venue just yet because I don't think the DJ/keys has told them that he's putting us in for a set yet and I'd rather not show up unannounced. Shouldn't be an issue as he's a mainstay there, but we'll see. Just hectic getting this all sorted at the last minute.

Thanks for the help so far, I'll keep posting as the situation changes.

Nagrom · #5 04-22-2011, 09:21 AM

I would expect them to have absolutely nothing beyond FOH and plan accordingly. Get your mix down to a single line to patch into the DJ mixer.

jaywa · #6 04-22-2011, 09:37 AM

Hopefully their P.A. has decent subwoofers. If it's a legit dance club I would expect them to.

If not... and if you can't get ahold of subs to bring in... the sound of your band from a bottom-end perspective may not be exactly to your liking.

DJ and live band sound are two completely different animals. Don't assume that just cause the room sounds great with a DJ that it will sound great with your band. Hopefully that's what happens, but it's not a given. You're smart to be thinking about this and asking questions in advance.

GregShadoan · #7 04-22-2011, 01:42 PM

I would start by creating an accurate stage plot and input list for your band. Include this as a part of your performance rider, and send it or hand deliver it to the production person at the venue in as far advance as possible. If there are any questions or concerns they at least have a clue what your band will need to perform.

Pollinator95 · #8 04-22-2011, 01:52 PM

^^^ This. Make sure you know how you´re setting up and how you´re connecting your stuff.
You should also find out when you´re setting up. You may have to set up in the afternoon before business starts, or in 10 min. just before starting.
I had my first gig the other day, and a few seconds before starting, my guitarist decided he didn´t like his combo and was plugging into the P.A., which meant changing all our stage plot. Make sure that doesn´t happen to you!!

Never_grew_up · #9 04-24-2011, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swimming Bird

Thanks guys, this should get me started.

Slight problem with approaching the venue just yet because I don't think the DJ/keys has told them that he's putting us in for a set yet and I'd rather not show up unannounced. Shouldn't be an issue as he's a mainstay there, but we'll see. Just hectic getting this all sorted at the last minute.

Thanks for the help so far, I'll keep posting as the situation changes.

Oooh, Big problem there! How can you (or the club) promote your gig if they don't know you're coming? When you show up early for load-in & no one's expecting you (maybe no one's even there yet). A club I work in here pretty regularly basically provides FOH racks & stacks and is setupto take outputs FROM THE BAND'S MIXER for FOH and monitor sends but they need to know so they can drop the cables from the dj booth to the mix position on the floor in front. Bands bring their own mics, stands, snake, groupies, etc.

Swimming Bird · #10 04-24-2011, 10:27 AM

Thanks all -- you've been super helpful. It's all sorted out:

There are live bands that play regularly, but they bring all their own gear and set up in the bar area (as opposed to the dance floor where the DJs set up). It was originally a line-up of four DJs but our keys player gave us his DJ set. So we go on first and have decided to set up in the bar area cause nobody gets to dancing at these things til they're a few drinks in and there's probably not enough space for any sort of band in the dance area. Promotion wise, it's our key player's name on the bill and that's fine. This is the last "Clearly Stealth" theme night (electronic dance stuff, maybe a little darker/more chill) and it's typically the number two dance theme night behind the dubstep night. Turns out DJ/keys has been a house DJ and booker at this place for years, so he knows the bartenders, other DJs, owners, etc and they all get along well.

DJ/keys also works at the main DJ supply and speaker rental place downtown, so he's just going to snag his favorite PA, power amp, subwoofer, and monitors which will give us plenty of power. He and I are going to plug straight into my Behringer Xenyx 1202 mixer and have the bartender run it. The drummer is bringing a small kit, no mics. It's a small enough place that we can just set up to his volume.

We'll load in about an hour before the show and just shoot the breeze. In terms of my sound, I'm going for synth bass so this setup should be perfect. I can walk in off the street and have it ready to go in two minutes. If you can cram a five or six piece jam band with a ton of gear into the band space, we should have plenty of room. I suspect we'll take about as much physical space as a jazz trio.

Anything I've missed? The setup to this hasn't seemed especially professional, but it's a last minute, low-pressure local gig.

Swimming Bird · #11 04-28-2011, 07:55 AM

Gig was last night. Kind of an ordeal.

I got there around eight, hung out with the bartender and a DJ who wasn't playing. A bit later DJ/keys rolls up with half the promised PA system (no subwoofer). We get it all set up with my mixer no problem.

9 pm rolls around and still no drummer. I don't have his phone number. DJ/keys does, but had just misplaced his cell phone. 9:20: some guys who live next door to the drummer run over to see if he's at home. Yes, but yelling on the phone and not looking like he's gonna show.

By 9:45, panicked and super PO'd -- a lot of my friends showed up + my recent ex and I wanted to play this gig very badly -- I manage to enlist the DJ I was talking to at the bar. He grabs an APC-style USB controller, his laptop and a large djembe out of his car and sets up. The drummer shows -- he had been locked out of his practice space and was being kicked out.

We play the 45 minute set with a completely random DJ and it turns out okay. Drummer leaves and comes back a couple times, and was finally able to get his kit there with 5 min left (didn't set it up). He tells me that he's got a gift for me, we'll just go get it. Also, he asks me to play a gig with him on May 8th.

He comes back in a bit and helps me get my gear home, but we stop by his practice space (no longer his) and he gives me a no-brand 4x10 cab. Okay, I was pretty angry, but between the relatively reasonable excuse (the situation could have been avoided, but by last night there was nothing to be done), the fact that he did eventually show, that I get another gig, and I get the cab, I guess I'm okay with him.

Sound wise, the setup was okay. We were in the bar area instead of the dance floor so we used what we brought. From my friend: the percussion too loud, keys too quiet. Bartender: needed the subwoofer -- he could hear the wobble but couldn't feel it. We may have a monthly gig there now, and next time I wanna be on the dance floor with the house sound system.

All in all the night went about as well as it could have after it became apparent that the drummer wasn't going to show.