No sound check?

[walterw]

OK, so you guys have the first part down (stage under control), now you gotta get the second (go out to check).

there's just no getting around that, somebody has to hear what's happening out front, whether it's one of you or a pro that you pay to come out.

even a long-ass cable will do the trick so you can dip out front for the first song or two and get things in the ballpark.

(oh, and "get to the gig early enough to do a proper soundcheck" is not only "negotiable", it's a rare luxury for lots of working bands. being able to dial it in well on the first song or two is part of the gig for many of us.)

[MNAirHead]

If you're paying for the sound guy it's their responsibility.... If not its your problem

Sounds like may just be a time to work out blend in a practice room

[modulusman]

I'm trying towrap my head around needing a soundguy when you are just putting vocals and kick into the PA.. How many channels would that be for the average band, 3 or 4? If the bars are paying someone to do this it is probably some hack or a bouncer since no self respecting soundman would be happy with so little control over the sound.

[Floyd Eye]

My suggestion to get a soundguy was assuming that the OP took my first suggestion and put everything in the PA. I ran sound from the stage for 2 years when we had just enough PA for vocals and kick. It would have to be some rare circumstance that made me go back to doing it like that. When I did though I pretty much did what everyone here is recommending. Get a long enough cable to get out front and also have someone you trust out there to tell you if any adjustments need to be made during the show. With a PA that small ( and I assume no outboard EQ or anything) it should almost be a plug and play situation. I got to the point that regardless of the room, most of the time I was able to leave all the amps and PA set the exact same way, with some minor tweaking of course.

[Floyd Eye]

Originally Posted by walterw

.

(oh, and "get to the gig early enough to do a proper soundcheck" is not only "negotiable", it's a rare luxury for lots of working bands. being able to dial it in well on the first song or two is part of the gig for many of us.)

I suppose in the OPs situation you are absolutely correct. If the band is providing the sound and the sound guy though I can't imagine not being able to get to the gig a half hour earlier so you can ring out monitors, set volume levels and at least get one song or even just a half a song for a sound check. Of course my situations and experience are the only thing I have to go by so I totally believe you Walter.

As an example, my gig tonight starts at 9PM. We will be there at 6PM. We will load in and have everything hooked up around 7. We will have relative FOH levels set and monitors rung out by 7:30. Have a quick go at one song to check the mix and be running dance music through the system by 8. Then when we start at 9 there will be no doubt we have at least a decent mix to start with.

I guess I could see where some establishments may not want the band mucking around that early, but it hasn't happened to us yet. I reckon if it is a multi-band bill it could be an issue. And you have to remember Walter that not every band has the luxury of having a guy like you who is fully capable of getting this stuff done quickly. I would imagine you can be set up and running pretty good a hell of a lot faster than I can.

[gottliver]

no one has mentioned speaking with the soundguy. Maybe, letting him know your concerns prior to setting up?