Any tips on finding someone to run sound in small/medium rooms? I see posts occasionally on craigslist, but otherwise I'm not sure how to search for that. Anyone have any recommendations in the greater Philadelphia area?
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How do I find a sound guy?
- Thread starter HoboCop
- Start date
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
If you want a professional, why not call up a sound company? Check the yellow pages, somebody in your area does live sound for events. Once you start gigging more you should make some contacts, just always be good to your soundman so they are good to you. I would also suggest getting anybody's number who impresses you when you are at shows. A good soundguy is key in my books.
I should do that yes.. my assumption is that a larger company might be cost prohibitive, relatively small gigs with low pay. I really just need a guy with a small PA that can cover us when our regular guy is out. We generally do not put drums/bass through the system, and many of the rooms we play don't have the space for a large setup.
Maybe check a local music store. You might also contact the venues you want to play and ask if they know someone.
Geri O is correct. Live production contractors always have a bunch of independent freelancers in their stable of resources, and they've already qualified the ones who know what they're doing. The sound company I worked for brought in a dozen or so freelancers for big multi-stage festivals, and then during "normal" times they just largely shrank back to their core full-time staff. They realize not everyone can afford their overhead, so they usually don't mind recommending their freelancers. One hand washes the other.
Or just go to a big multi-stage festival and talk to some of the sound-guys. They'll have all the local freelancers already in their cellphone contacts and don't mind in the least sending work their way.
Or just go to a big multi-stage festival and talk to some of the sound-guys. They'll have all the local freelancers already in their cellphone contacts and don't mind in the least sending work their way.
In all seriousness -
for what you are asking for - why not ask a guy who does his own sound for a local band that has adequate equipment? You won't need to pay a "pro" level guy, and will be giving work to a guy who is already pretty good, and might appreciate the work.
I got/get a lot of work that way - and am by no means a "pro" sound guy. I have a very decent system but not a premium system. Depending on the gig, distance, etc. I give some of the guys a little break and they still get good sound. They help me load in/out as part of it, and everyone wins.
Before anyone bashes this idea - it works for me and several people I work with. I refer jobs too big to pro guys, and hand off dates to free-lancers. I stay pretty busy for a guy with a day job too.
for what you are asking for - why not ask a guy who does his own sound for a local band that has adequate equipment? You won't need to pay a "pro" level guy, and will be giving work to a guy who is already pretty good, and might appreciate the work.
I got/get a lot of work that way - and am by no means a "pro" sound guy. I have a very decent system but not a premium system. Depending on the gig, distance, etc. I give some of the guys a little break and they still get good sound. They help me load in/out as part of it, and everyone wins.
Before anyone bashes this idea - it works for me and several people I work with. I refer jobs too big to pro guys, and hand off dates to free-lancers. I stay pretty busy for a guy with a day job too.
