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How to Make Setting Up for Live Concert Gigs Easier
Introduction
If you're a singer-songwriter with just a voice and a guitar, setting up for a live concert is probably a breeze. But if you play in a full band with drums, guitar, bass, keys, and vocals, setting up can be a daunting task--especially if you're using your own PA system. Keeping that in mind, I've compiled a list of tips that can make preparing and setting up for a live gig much easier.
Make Lists
Make lists of specific equipment needed for your gigs. You might have several of these for different performance scenarios. One might be a list of your instruments for gigs where the sound and lights are provided. Another list might be for gigs where only the lights are provided, and you have to bring your instruments and sound system. Create a list template that includes all of your equipment, and then create a copy of the list for each gig and delete any of the stuff that won't be needed.
Order in the Court
Establish an order for setting up the PA system that can be learned and followed by all band members and roadies. Create some instructions that are easy to read and follow. You could even get really creative and create a simple diagram showing where to set everything up, and/or a flow-diagram showing how the equipment should be connected (i.e., Mics to Snake, Snake to Mixer, Mixer back to Snake Returns, Snake Returns to Power Amps, etc.). A very crude example might look like this:
- Put the main speakers in position – 1 sub and 1 main on each side of stage
- Put the monitors in position – 3 at front of stage & 1 in back for the drummer
- Put the power amp rack in position behind the main speakers on one side
- Run the snake cable from the stage to the mixer
- Connect the snake returns from the stage box to the power amps
- Run the speaker cables from the power amps to the mains
- Etc., etc.
Label the Cables
Label ALL Mic, Patch, and Speaker cables using white electrical tape and a fine-point Sharpie. Do this not only for the PA system, but also for your guitarist/s and bass player if they use any outboard processors or effects in conjunction with their amps. This makes it painfully easy to connect everything up without even thinking about it. I've had several gigs where a cable got plugged into the wrong jack, and it took forever to trace down what the source of the problem was, causing a delay in the concert getting started.
Just in Case
Get cases of some kind--you can buy plastic totes, commercial road cases, or build your own wooden cases for hauling stuff. This is a lot easier than having to load and unload a lot of small, loose items one-by-one. Put casters on your cases so one person can roll each case by himself. Also keep size in mind. It may seem like a good idea to buy a few huge cases, but when they're loaded down with gear, you can throw your back out if you try to lift them by yourself. If you ever may need to set up the PA system by yourself, you may want to buy smaller cases so they'll be easier to handle for one person.
Hello Dolly
Buy a small collapsible hand truck or dolly for moving heavy speakers or amp racks. If you're tall, be sure to get one with a handle that's long enough to keep you from slumping over when using it. I found one at a discount club for $25 that that has a handle that's long enough for me, and I'm over 6-feet tall.
Get Rolling
Add casters to any large speaker cabinets (such as those Dual 18" Subwoofers) to make them easier to move. Buy some caster cups (used for rolling furniture) that you can put under the wheels during a performance to keep them from rolling off the stage.
Speaking of Connections
For speaker connections, try not to use 1/4" plugs and jacks. 1/4" connections are very inefficient and often prone to shorting out. Most modern power amps and speaker cabinets now come equipped with Speakon twist-lock and/or biding post connectors. If you've got them, by all means use them. These provide a much more efficient, low-loss connection than 1/4" phone plugs. They are also "field-servicable" (using a small screwdriver), unlike 1/4" plugs, which are usually soldered. For older speaker cabinets, it's usually an easy modification to replace the 1/4" jacks with Speakons, but if you've never done it before, you might want some help from someone who is familiar with speaker wiring.
Feel the Surge
I can't stress this enough. Buy enough Surge Protector strips for all of your gear. DO NOT buy "POWER STRIPS" OR "TEMPORARY POWER TAPS". Make sure that what you buy has "Surge Protection" built in. This will help to protect your valuable equipment from power surges or irregularities. My band learned firsthand how important this was at a large outdoor festival. Our guitar player's amp got fried (it popped and smoke literally rolled out of it) in addition to one of our PA power amps due to a problem with the power to one part of the stage. Our bass player, however, had a surge protector (which also got fried), but it saved his amp and effects processors from being damaged.
Conclusion
In closing, here's a helpful checklist of some things that you might need at a gig that you might not think of until you need them:
- Flashlight
- Gaffer Tape (preferred) or Duct Tape
- Drum key
- Spare Drum heads
- Spare Guitar and Bass Strings
- Sharpies
- White Electrical Tape (for labeling mixer channels and cables)
- Pocket Knife
- Screwdrivers
- Long extension cables
- Extra Surge Protector Strips
- Soldering Iron and accessories
- A few extra connectors
About the Author
Jon Goad is a drummer, producer, and general music junkie. He's the owner and chief engineer of Silent Sky Studios and the drummer for the bands Immortal Soul and Soulfire. When he's not having fun with music, Jon keeps the bills paid by working as a software developer for CUSI, a leading developer of software for the Utility industry. Jon lives in Northeast Arkansas with his wife Ashley and son Jack.
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