Pricing for provide sound dilemma (what do you charge?)

[Stinsok]

I was asked if I would provide PA for a local artist's short show (maybe a half hour or so.) The venue is about 60 miles away. PA has always been a part of one of my band's gigs and I've never contracted my services to anyone else. She's a good kid, don't want to see anyone else rip her off because she's inexperienced, but it is a time consuming affair for me.

 

[RoadRanger]

Ouch, you need to get 20 cents a mile minimum just to pay for the incremental expense of the vehicle. Then there's the total time involved from packing at your end before to unpacking at your end afterwards. What's your time worth to you? Then there's the equipment rental, $100+ depending on what you're bringing. Or you can do what the ankle biters do - work for less than minimum wage, eat the vehicle expenses and provide the equipment for free . Or something in between.

 

[WayneP]

If she’s a good friend, or the daughter of a friend, then you might want to do the actual show pro-bono and just ask for expenses. I’d ask for at least 50c a mile plus a meal (assuming that at least one meal time would fall during the time you’re out doing this). Given a maximum-case scenario, that your hour’s drive is about 60 miles down the freeway, that would only be a $60 charge to her for mileage, plus $10 for the meal. Not unreasonable, even for a friend.

If you don’t know her that well, I’d ask for the expenses plus whatever you think your time is worth. I figure you’re looking at at least 5-1/2 hours total (loading up the gear 30 min., travel, 60 min., unload and set-up 45 min., show 30 min., break down and load the gear 45 min., travel + unload as above). If your time is worth $15 to you, that’s a bit under $85 – pretty cheap for a soundman.

Also for someone you don’t know well, it would be legitimate to also include a charge for equipment rental as well (i.e. your equipment). The length of time of the show is has no relevance for that. For instance, if she were renting gear from a sound company there would be a flat charge based on the equipment (e.g. speakers for $xx ea., mixer for $xx, mics $xx each, amplifier, $xx, etc.). It wouldn’t matter if the actual show was 15 minutes or 15 hours, they charge by the day. Of course, since you’re not in the “sound business” you probably won’t want to charge for the gear, and that's fine - this is all totally up to you and what you think the situation reasonably calls for.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt


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[4Mal]

I don't leave the house for less than $200. And I don't go there often... Unless it is a charity I believe in in which case, a few times a year I go free and feel good about it. In your case, do what you feel good about but... Do be clear that a reduced rate is just that. If things develop, that reduced rate should not become your every day rate... Gotta set the ground rules...

 

[BazzTard]

Time is money.

For your time,I'd charge $20 an hour.

Of course this all goes out the window if she's cute and you have a chance.....then it's all FREE out of the kindness of your heart hehe

 

[And I]

Just one performer? If she only needs like 2 inputs for low to moderate volume gigs and she plans on playing out somewhat regularly, getting her own small portable PA would be the best move... otherwise, renting out a full PA system with engineer and travel, $200 is reasonable. It's overkill for a one-person gig though.

 

[RustyAxe]

Two hours of travel, two hours for load in/out, setup, soundcheck, tear down, 1/2 hour performance. If I figure 120 miles @ $.51/mile that's $60 for travel expense. Let's assume $20/hr for labor, that's $90-100. The absolute minimum "reduced rate" I'd get would be $200.

 

[EastCoastThump]

Sounds as though this is a gig you'd say no to if it were just a business decision. If this is something I wanted to do as a favor and the pay isn't likely to be significant, I'd consider two paths:

1. Do it for free on a just-this-once basis. Less likely that the artist to ask you for a whole string of low-money jobs than if you do it as a favor at a far below market rate. Also, more likely the artist will try to learn what she can about sound reinforcement on this gig if it's clear you won't be riding shotgun at future gigs.

2. If it's an act with a low channel count playing a gig that's too low-rent to get shopped to any sound company, I'd consider putting together a robust but dead-simple mini-PA out of your extra gear locker, getting her checked out and dialed in, and then either loaning or renting the rig to her. That way, she'll sound better than she would otherwise, she'll learn a little bit about sound, and your time investment is much more manageable. I've done this more than a few times for young musicians, just in the spirit of paying it forward.

 

[Blankandson]

Just as an example of what others charge, a local church paid an engineer to set up their new PA a few weeks ago. He was there about 14 hours total and charged $2,000. The music pastor, a pro entertainer the rest of the week, felt that was a good rate for a Nashville sound engineer. He didn't do a show - he just EQ'd everything and explained to the pastor how their new board worked.