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Multi-band event - sound tech etiquette

jaywa

jaywa

May 5, 2008
7,702
283
Iowa City, IA
#1
I have a five-piece band that has our own P.A. and runs our own mix from the stage. We have been playing some local, multi-band events where there is one sound system that belongs to a "host band" and their sound guy mixes all the bands on the bill unless a band brings their own FOH guy with.

My question is, if Band A is the "host band" but we don't much care for the sound their FOH tech is getting, and Band B is also on the bill and we know their FOH guy is better, is it appropriate for us to ask Band B's guy to mix our set instead of using the guy from Band A?

Just to clarify... These are not open mic or pay-to-play situations, these are benefit events where the bands are not paid but people are paying and/or bringing donated items to get in.
 
#3
Maybe, what is seriously wrong is...

the owner of the gear is tired of having pinheads blow his stuff up because they think they know the limits of his rig better than he does.

Just a thought.

A lot of guys get tense if they have to hand their $500 axe over to another player. How do you think the owner of that $10,000 PA feels?
 
#4
Well,

I own my Band's PA system and it cost me time and money to build it. I would not allow anybody to use it that I did not know had alot of Exp. Just because Someone says "He's a Sound man" would not cut it if it was me. Maybe I would let him run it with me and not just turn the whole system over to him. Way too much Money involved.
 
#5
jaywa said:
there is one sound system that belongs to a "host band" and their sound guy mixes all the bands on the bill unless a band brings their own FOH guy with.
Click to expand...

It looks like you andswered your own question and ours too.

By what you said, the host band is fine with someone else running sound for whoever hired them. So yes, you should use soundguy B if that's what you want.

I think Steve and Laserman are thinking some different, that the host band doesn't let other bands' soundguys mix on their PA, but if I'm reading your story right, then the host band 'A' does indeed let other soundguys use it.
 
#7
I work for a large venue, we have a world class PA system. Our house engineers (1FOH and 1 Monitor)are some of the best around here. When a touring act comes into the venue they most always have their own FOH and Monitor engineers with them. Our house guys then become the systems techs. They assist the band's engineers with the interface of the house gear.
Yes, the "team" approach always works best.

We have a saying... you're either here to make rock and roll happen, or you're in the way!

cheers!!
 
#8
I've done the "team" approach before, where I've been the regular sound man for the band, but the venue had their own sound man. We've worked together, and it was all good.

Sometimes I've run through the venue's board, sometimes I've run through the band's board, and taken the ouput of the band board into one or two channels of the house board. Both worked.
 

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