bands just starting out

[Quadcam]

how did your band start out, what did you have in the way of gear and how long did it take you to get everything together and start gigging?

I ask because we started our band a few months ago, it actually started as just something to do, my wife has been a singer all of her life and we had planned on just getting people together so we could jam and then it turned into more of a "well, if we're going to do this we may as well go all the way and work on gigging"

now here is a little backstory on it...
I played drums, self taught from about age 14-18 had a few garage bands. got in a serious relationship, went to college...yadda yadda...got out of said relationship and move to Florida so I sold the kit...that was 10 yrs ago....

This past april I started playing again but this time I decide to take lessons, found a teacher who is a pro studio drummer, endorses Pearl and a graduate of berklee.

I'm learning all about PA systems as I go, and we're on a tight, really tight budget so we bought a behringer powered mixer a few months back.

so now here is where we are, we have a cheap powered mixer, supposedly puts out 350watts/800 bridged mono a side but who knows for sure, it works and it's plenty loud at practice,matter of fact we never really turn the main past 1.

a friend of mine donated a couple monitors, two yorkvilles and a soundtech and we use those for vocals at practice.

As far as band members, well...we have myself (drums), my wife (lead vox) and a bassist, we had a guitarist and had to get rid of him due to his excessive drinking. Now we pretty much have to practice along with the cd so we can get the songs down.

we auditioned several guitarists and it never works out, we dont have enough gear, just starting out so nobody wants to put in the time to work on stuff with us. I'm a pretty good drummer, not as good as people keep telling me that I am but not bad none the less, our bassist is good, he's been at it for 2-3 yrs now and wife wife is a very good vocalist.

I plan on getting a pair of mains here shortly, probably yamaha s112's but we just seem to be stuck in this rut where we cant find band members.

so how did you start out? was it a chore finding band members and trying to put it all together? I know everyone didnt start out with some monster PA system, what kind of gear did your band have when you started gigging?

[Kenny Allyn]

Well getting yourself a PA was a good start, I'm amazed that to so many that it's an afterthought. I'll tell you that a small vocal PA should serve you well as most bars where you need to bring a sound system it's all your gonna need, if it's a bigger place they usually have a system in house (atleast around here) might consider 1x15 PA cabs though it's what most bands use.

As for getting members, be very clear upfront about what your looking for, might even make up a song list. Personally I like a social meeting beer and burger whatever if after initial contact you think they might be worth a look. I know most Craigslist ads are dumb but they can work my current project is living proof of that. Might also consider any open mic/jams around town could be a great way to network, I've meet and played with a ton of great players that way.

... Best of luck to ya!

[xgator4u]

Back in those days, the P.A was for Vox only. That made it the singers problem. Everyone else was responsible for their own gear/sound.

[Kenny Allyn]

Originally Posted by xgator4u

Back in those days, the P.A was for Vox only. That made it the singers problem. Everyone else was responsible for their own gear/sound.

Not sure what what you mean by "back in those day" ... I'm refering to now. Many bands waaay over do it in smaller venues, with subs, half stacks and such. I know the trend is to have a big rig with everything miced but it tends to be overkill in a small venue and makes owners and bartenders yell your too LOUD!




... These guys seem to be on a good track ... just lacking a guitar player

[xgator4u]

Originally Posted by Kenny Allyn

Not sure what what you mean by "back in those day" ... I'm refering to now. Many bands waaay over do it in smaller venues, with subs, half stacks and such. I know the trend is to have a big rig with everything miced but it tends to be overkill in a small venue and makes owners and bartenders yell your too LOUD!




... These guys seem to be on a good track ... just lacking a guitar player

What I mean by back in those days, is the O.P. asked how you started, what kind of gear you STARTED with. I myself didn't start doing this today, or yesterday for that matter. Or perhaps it was not my post that confused you, what you really did not understand was the O.P.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by xgator4u

Back in those days, the P.A was for Vox only. That made it the singers problem. Everyone else was responsible for their own gear/sound.

I remember those days, PA support is still new to me.I'm in the learning stage.

[modulusman]

I started out playing in high school with my brother and a friend who played drums. This was 30 years ago. Our first PA was a Marlboro Powered head with 2 column speaker cabs. Today there are a lot more options for PA. My advice buy good gear not cheap garbage. Look around for used gear. With the economy the way it is there are alot of good deals. Quadcam, the yamaha club series are considered a good deal for entry grade PA cabs. If you are planning on using a vocals only PA the club 12s will work. Later on you might want to add some subs if you decide to mic the kick or bass.

[chondro776]

We have a PA for rehearsal, but supplying the sound for gigs is foreign to me. The gig scene in my town is horrible, but nobody expects you to bring your own PA.
I would be embarrassed to own a bar w/ live music and not have a PA-lol.

Don't sweat finding a 6 stringer.

I can't walk to my car w/o tripping over a half dozen of them.
It is a buyers market for geetarists.
I suspect it always will be too.
Be picky. That is mostly referring to personality. No one cares how much they shred, it all sounds the same.

You have a rhythm section, which to me is the hardest thing to accomplish.

To me, your biggest problem is the potential problem of being in a band w/ your spouse.

Danger Will Robinson. Danger.

[xgator4u]

^ 10-4 to the Will Robinson danger. NO WAY should you mix business and pleasure. And it is usually poor form to conduct business with family or friends.
Guitards are a dime a dozen. Get a couple.
keep us posted.

[chondro776]

Originally Posted by xgator4u

^ 10-4 to the Will Robinson danger. NO WAY should you mix business and pleasure. And it is usually poor form to conduct business with family or friends.

I actually play in a band w/ my brother. Have for 5 years and it works marvelously. A GF/Wife I would never consider though.

Guitards are a dime a dozen. Get a couple.
keep us posted.

Yes, but be sure to 'put down' the one you don't use. If you let them back loose in the wild they will just breed...

[CBgaragebassist]

The first band i was in(still in) started with a friend who asked me to play with him. We both only had 15 watt amps and 0 experience. It got better after we played alot and learned theory. We've got better gear and a better sound now!

[Quadcam]

Originally Posted by chondro776

To me, your biggest problem is the potential problem of being in a band w/ your spouse.

Danger Will Robinson. Danger.

nah no worries there, my wife rocks, shes my best friend and we've been together for almost 5 yrs now, never, ever fight. we may bicker now and then but thats all, she pretty much lets me make all the band decisions and spoils me rotten...our first valentines day together she bought me the old ironhead sportster I wanted for $3000

[Kenny Allyn]

I believe the OP is on track with the PA thing ... sorry for any confusion

Many places are not full-time music venues so they have no PA, as live music is a weekend thing and very loud is not needed or wanted. That's why a reasonable and portable rig is needed.

What did we use back in the day ... well in the mid 70s we had a Tapco mixerboard into a Phase Linear 4000 that ran a pair of original Bose 800s on poles



Still today we go for small and portable when we carry a PA, YAMAHA Emx 5000 powered mixer, Peavey 260 monitor amp and my own MOjO Sonic mains and monitors.

... I've even used an old Fender Bandmaster head into a pair of Fender 2x12 guitar cabs (but that was in highschool)

[bertbassplayer]

I've always thought that the singer, especially if it's just a pure singer (e.g. doesn't play any instruments), should be responsible for a PA... after all everyone else has to provide their instrument (for a singer that'd essentially be their voice and a mic) as well as an amp (for a singer the PA).

Anyway in the band I'm currently in, when we practice we just run everyone through their own amps, and the vocals through a JBL Eon Powered Speaker (which funny enough is actually mine and I'm not the singer)... we haven't needed anything more.

I have no clue why a guitarist wouldn't work out because of lack of gear, you have enough of a PA for vocals.

[TBrett]

Good PA info in this thread - thanks, guys. I'm a singer and while we currently rent practice space and plan on gigging in clubs that already have sound systems, I realize I may need to acquire a PA at some point (I have a small vocal amp at home which is sufficient for this place). Similar to the OP, my bf bass player and I have just started a band. We're both experienced pros, have been living together nearly 3 years and get on extremely well, no fighting, conflicts worked out calmly and carefully, etc. We do not drag our personal issues into the band (or any other) situation. We, too, have had some trouble finding a guitarist. Contrary to popular opinion, good guitar players are not that easy to find. We needed someone with a lot of experience, but who would also be available to commit to this project, which will take some time to get rolling because we're writing original material. We posted ads online and had a hell of a time sifting through the responses to find the folks that weren't just talking out of their backsides. We had to let our last guy go because he didn't have enough experience, especially with composition. Then my bf found an ad posted by an experienced guitarist looking for a cover band. Something about the ad struck me and I emailed the guy with a description of our project and got a very enthusiastic reply. We auditioned him on Friday and he's just great. Tons of experience, a music college grad, and he composes. We played one of our originals and he came up with a solid guitar line on the spot. We're going to go with this guy. So in addition to posting detailed ads yourselves, I'd say tell everyone you know you're looking for a guitarist - someone might know of someone - and also look for ads posted by guitarists looking for bands. You never know who you'll come across who may not have seen your ad. Best of luck in your search!

[Chowowbus]

We went through several guitar players when we first started last about a year and a half ago..
Most of em got booted for foul attitudes and other annoying shizzle such as "I cant make it to practice because I am in jail."
We finally went for personality over sheer talent. We now have two great guitars players. Since the singer that I started this band with and I or both noobs to the music world, we found hiring other noobs fresh out of the bedroom to work really well.
Its amazing how fast you learn and grow once you find the right folks.
There is always the chance that the noob will not get better and will have a case of permasuck, but your really taking a chance with anyone.

[TBrett]

Jeez. Further to my previous post, I just got an email from the drummer with feedback on the guitarist we auditioned Friday. He said he thought the guy could play and seemed to have some chops, but that he found nothing special or unique in the guy's playing. Really not sure what he's looking for here. We did 8 covers, all of which the guitarist nailed dead on - no mean feat because a couple of the tunes are meant for two guitars and he covered both parts very well. We then spent a few minutes teaching him an original and again, he did well, especially considering he'd only just heard the tune for the first time. He had a small pedal board and was quickly able to produce the right tone for each tune without a lot of fussing (I can't stand it when guitarists spend ages fooling around with their pedals and FX), and was able to transpose one of the covers down a half tone in less than 30 seconds. Our dummer, on the other hand, was very sluggish that night (he'd just come from work, so we knew he was tired) and his meter wandered quite a bit, apparently without his awareness! And now he's saying he doesn't find anything special or unique about the guitarist's playing or sound? I really can't imagine what more the guy wants. Sounds like we may be facing more line-up issues in the near future. Sigh...

[Quadcam]

Thanks for the responses, I kinda wandered off my original question with the guitarist stuff. I was mostly wondering what kind of PA gear your band started out with.
like I said right now all we have is a behringer 10 channel powered mixer, running vox only. 3 monitors (2 yorkville, one is a wedge one was made for a pole mount main, both loaded with 12" s and a horn, the other is a soundtech, loaded with a 12 and horn also)
we have nothing for mains right now but I'm 99% sure I'm going to go with a pair of Yamaha s112's and eventually add a sub like a JBL JRX118SP...I'll really have to do my homework before I drop $1000 on a powered sub.

So just starting out will the setup we have along with the mains cut it for a small-medium bar setting? I really want to mic my kit, at least the snare and kick but until we get a sub theres no way. So for vox only we should be ok with this setup right?

one last thing..should the band members take a certain amount out of every gig pay and put it back into the band? I think each person should put money back in to cover expenses, for instance, we'll need a bigger PA, we'll need lights etc ect...I know I cant afford to buy all of the PA/light gear.

I know my bro's band put $150/show aside for overhead like their truck, lights and PA ..all owned by the other guitarist but as far as I know it just goes back into a band fund type deal., stashed away in case the pa breaks, trucks need repair..etc,

[modulusman]

You will be OK with your set-up for vocals only. I do see a potential problem trying to run 3 monitors and 2 mains off your powered mixer. Do you know the impedance of your 3 monitors and what model is your mixer?