• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

opening for the temptations on sunday...

cloren

cloren

Nov 15, 2007
251
0
san francisco
www.myspace.com
#1
Hey guys

so the good news is that a r&b/smooth jazz group Ive been gigging with at cocktail lounges and such got offered a spot to open for the tempations this sunday. yikes! it will definitely be the biggest gig ive ever played.

bad news is I've never played in a venue as large as the Fox theater in salinas.

my question for you guys (and i'll be sure to communicate with the sound guys as well) is do you have any suggestions/tips for getting a good sound?

I have a little markII going through a 1x12 and 2x10 avatar. I'm also considering bringing my compression pedal and possibly an aphex bass xciter.

I'll have a back-up bass on hand just in case.

am i missing anything?
 
#3
Don't do anything out of the ordinary that you wouldn't do elsewhere. Just get a good volume that's balanced with the rest of the band and let the soundman do his job and everything will be most excellent. Chances are you won't get enough of a soundcheck for anything else to matter ;)
 
#4
A motown style sound guy..you lucky dog!!!


Maybe a good DI, but the sound guy may have that already. Maybe find out who is running the sound and see if you can do some investigation if it would put you at ease a little.
 
#6
haha good call on the allen keys/screwdrivers

I've heard a lot of people dont like the DI on the Markbass Little Mark - is this purely because it is post-eq or is the DI just not that fantastic?

either way, I'll take everyone's opinion and do whatever the sound guy thinks will work best-especially when it comes to DI:)
 
#7
cloren said:
...bad news is I've never played in a venue as large as the Fox theater in salinas...
Click to expand...
We played there last year . . . IIRC, it's NOT really very big at all . . . maybe 300-400 people, max.
The house sound/crew is more than decent . . . just follow JimmyM's advice and have a good time . . . :cool:

BTW, "a little markII going through a 1x12 and 2x10 avatar" should be more than enough "balls" . . .
 
#14
the gig went fantastically well! and the temps were super nice too

the sound guy ended up putting a DI box before my amp instead of using the DI out from my markbass- good move cuz he made my bass sound awesome coming out of the PA

on a side note, I learned something else from this experience:

even when your band leader says "don't bring an amp/cab" just load your car with one anyway- JUST IN CASE

turns out the stage manager didnt want us messing with the temp's band's equipment (totally understandable), it was lucky that the drummer and I both brought our own equipment just to be safe- all despite our band leader telling us to not worry about it.
 
#15
cloren said:
the gig went fantastically well! and the temps were super nice too

the sound guy ended up putting a DI box before my amp instead of using the DI out from my markbass- good move cuz he made my bass sound awesome coming out of the PA

on a side note, I learned something else from this experience:

even when your band leader says "don't bring an amp/cab" just load your car with one anyway- JUST IN CASE

turns out the stage manager didnt want us messing with the temp's band's equipment (totally understandable), it was lucky that the drummer and I both brought our own equipment just to be safe- all despite our band leader telling us to not worry about it.
Click to expand...

Hi Cloren,nice to hear the gig went well.That the Temps were
A1 ok ,(thought they might be) when you've been around a while as a working pro,the older,the nicer you get,(mostly)
As for JUST IN CASE I allways try to have my own rig whenever pos,that way I know what to expect.We flew to Spain last year,horror,I had a Trace 1x15 combo from the opening band.Over the pa I know the sound was more than ok
but on stage with no moniter suport,absolute horror.
This year were playing Berlin and also Finland,they know what we require as backline,but this time I'm prepared for surprises.
Maybe thats the buzz which keeps us going.
Woffle
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back