Sound and lighting guys: Part of the band?

hills1234 · #1 08-18-2008, 08:56 PM

If you have a regular sound or lighting person/s that you always work with, do you treat them as part of your band? Especially when it comes to either splitting profits or meeting costs?

We have a couple of guys who always do our tech stuff ... but I'm never quite sure whether they're IN the band or not. What's your experience?

John Wentzien · #2 08-18-2008, 09:03 PM

If they set up the stuff (and are dependable)and make you sound good (and you can show up to the gig and just plug-in) I'd give them an even cut...

Honk'n_down-low · #3 08-18-2008, 09:24 PM

Sound and Lighting can make a huge difference in the sound of a band.

Particularly a good sound guy can make an already good band sound so much better. The right mix, the right emphasis at the right time and the effects and balance on the vocals has a huge effect. Especially if the person can dial in with consistency in different venues or different sized rooms. Some rooms just sound better - but a good sound person can make a good room sound stellar and a bad room sound pretty good.

They are worth being considerd part of the band - in fact good sound and light personnel expect to be paid and if you can afford it - it is money well spent IMO.

hills1234 · #4 08-18-2008, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honk'n_down-low

They are worth being considerd part of the band - in fact good sound and light personnel expect to be paid and if you can afford it - it is money well spent IMO.

I've got no problem with paying them. It's more a question about whether they get just a flat fee for the night as a hired gun, or a split of profits as per the (music-making) band members. And if the latter, and you're treating them as band members, then should they also take the hit and accept a loss when there's a shortfall?

swpyne · #5 08-18-2008, 10:17 PM

I've been playing this Summer in the backup band for an American Idol finalist by the name of Matt Buckstein. We have a 6 piece band behind Matt and a full time sound man who doubles as road manager so there is a total of 8 of us. We all get an equal share and I'm totally OK with this arrangement.

I don't have to schlep my cabinets on and off the stage and I never worry about how the band sounds. It's easily worth an equal cut for this kind of piece of mind IMO.

blubass · #6 08-19-2008, 03:07 AM

How much is sound and lighting worth to the band, and how much do they contribute? Some bands hail their sound guys as one of the most important parts of the live show, but I have never seen the band member list in a CD say Guitars..., Bass..., Drums..., Sound and Lighting...

. If they do a good job, cut them in on some of the profit. It would keep them happy, make their work feel appreciated, and keep the bands live show functioning properly!

Phalex · #7 08-19-2008, 07:05 AM

The sound guy is just as important as any other member of the band. If he doesn't show, we don't sound so good. He gets an equal share.

**rhino333** · #8 08-19-2008, 07:23 AM

A good sound person is indespensible and should be compensated accordingly. I'd rather pay for a good sound guy who works with me than play with a house sound guy that doesn't give a **** how you sound or can't mix worth a damn.

Rhino

rappa29 · #9 08-19-2008, 07:34 AM

Yes. The sound and light men in the bands I've been in were not only very good at their craft but very musically inclined as well.

Skel · #10 08-19-2008, 08:51 AM

The last time I was in a band that had sound and lighting guys, they got paid a flat fee. I think it was usually as much, or more than we made. Since they don't get any glamour, their's is even more of a "job" and we wanted reliable guys who made us sound and look great...and they did. They also did most of the loading/unloading and set ups.

rockdoc11 · #11 08-19-2008, 11:59 PM

Our sound guy gets an equal share (1/6) as the five band members at gigs.

That said, he's really not "in the band." He doesn't go to rehearsals, he doesn't get to participate in repertoire discussions and decisions, he doesn't participate in discussions about whether or not we'll take a particular gig, etc.

IanStephenson · #12 08-20-2008, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hills1234

It's more a question about whether they get just a flat fee for the night as a hired gun, or a split of profits as per the (music-making) band members. And if the latter, and you're treating them as band members, then should they also take the hit and accept a loss when there's a shortfall?

Depends on the relationship. If they're out every week with you, and have a close relationship then a fair split of profits is probably approriate - otherwise a flat fee.

To answer the second part of your question - if they want extra when you make more, then they take less when you make less. If they don't like that then agree a flat fee. They can't have it both ways.

Ian