Working a LIVE PA

[RDR]

Ok.

So i guess this thread is about a couple of things that spring to mind.

1. My personal experience of performing a live pa in clubs is that they tend to be poorly set up for performers coming in with equipment.

2. How much do you think this limits stage craft?

So, what are people's experiences like within the club environment and how much do you think things could either, improve or perhaps you think that none is needed.

Share it up people!

[Honeey]

Well here in Calgary you have to be prepared for anything as most promoters do not take into consideration the gear space needed etc... so I try to be as compact and as prepared for anything as possible...I bring power bars extension cords and lots of different cables lol
It is getting better as promoters and club owners hire more live acts and start to get used to what is really required for a live pa but it still has a long way to go yet!

I think the most irritating thing for me tho is the inexperienced dj's who think they are the shit gettin in my way while doing a live pa while they prepare for their set...*no clue* LOL

[RDR]

Well here in Calgary you have to be prepared for anything as most promoters do not take into consideration the gear space needed etc... so I try to be as compact and as prepared for anything as possible...I bring power bars extension cords and lots of different cables lol
It is getting better as promoters and club owners hire more live acts and start to get used to what is really required for a live pa but it still has a long way to go yet!

I think the most irritating thing for me tho is the inexperienced dj's who think they are the shit gettin in my way while doing a live pa while they prepare for their set...*no clue* LOL

This is exactly what i mean.

Can anyone else second this?

[eyeswithoutaface]

same for dj's aswell to be fair

i've lost count of the number of clubs i've played for who cant even get their dj'ing setup to a professional standard

[rhythmtech]

the worst is when the expect you to set up on top after the last dj puts the covers on the dex... im pretty sure some promters think its a 10 second job to set up your gear :whoops:

[davethedrummer]

the worst is when the expect you to set up on top after the last dj puts the covers on the dex... im pretty sure some promters think its a 10 second job to set up your gear :whoops:

it IS isn't it?

[djshiva]

the worst is when the expect you to set up on top after the last dj puts the covers on the dex... im pretty sure some promters think its a 10 second job to set up your gear :whoops:

+1

i hate that.

i did find a nifty folding metal dishrack for $12 at target that fits my lappy and my controller goes under it. makes things more compact and was a big hit with all the djs with serato last weekend. :)

[BloodStar]

Hmm, I think this all depends on communication with promoter. You are sending technical rider together with booking contract, or?
Then, there shouldn't bee many problems, imo.

[eyeswithoutaface]

Hmm, I think this all depends on communication with promoter. You are sending technical rider together with booking contract, or?
Then, there shouldn't bee many problems, imo.

unfortunately the majority of clubs over here are not that professional mate

[BloodStar]

unfortunately the majority of clubs over here are not that professional mate

i am surprised.

[dirty_bass]

I only ever play Live PA, so I encounter this all the time

Well, my technical needs are in my contract, so ironically, whenever I play abroad, I have no problems.

Over here I try to let the promoters know what I need, which isn`t a hell of a lot of room.

Some clubs don`t have the room for a start.

There is nothing worse than turning up, promoters are trashed and just leave you with no room, no idea where to set up etc.
I mean, my roots are in the squat party scene, so I`ll set up anywhere, and I`ll cope with anything.
I hate to be a diva, but sometimes it does piss me off, when no preparations are made or even thought about.

For me, when I turn up for a gig, a live pa is a week or more worth of work in preparation, so to then be disrespected is a bit of a bind. It`s not the same as just turning up with a bag of records.

Having said that, a lack of space has never hindered a performance, it`s been odd at times, with my gear at funny levels and angles, but it`s copeable.

I think live pa will increase however, in commonality, I think it has to really, to inject interest in the performance, and in time more places will be prepared for what is required.

At the end of the day as long as I conduct myself as professionally as possible, then at least I know I`ve done everything I can to make things go well, beyond that, any other ****s up are beyond my repsonsibility.

[RDR]

Yes yes yes! this is more like it.. keep em coming

perhaps we could all agree on a common set of standards which we would like to see at gigs.

I undertand we all have different setups.

I agree with DB on the rave angle, its a great place to start learning as its hard as hell, uncomfortable and you have a lot to cope with.

[Little_Fella!]

Paul Cortex went to a gig and had to set up on a rickety stand, a chair and an up-ended box which provided just enough room but still having to balance the mixer on to his sound card... proper Krypton factor!!

[dirty_bass]

Paul Cortex went to a gig and had to set up on a rickety stand, a chair and an up-ended box which provided just enough room but still having to balance the mixer on to his sound card... proper Krypton factor!!

Well, Pauls from the same roots innit, he`s the same, set up on a toilet seat if need be.
But we just get on with it right?
It`s hard to get all Diva when you come from our background, but sometimes we should probably kick up a stink ey?

[Little_Fella!]

To be fare, the promoter didn't know what Paul was bringing and they are nice people...

I will say as well that in the past I have been to a random party and some guy is on the rosta purporting to be 'Live' and he has just brought along his laptop and seemingly pressed 'space' bar all night...

[Little_Fella!]

I think that promoters should be made aware of requirements n then if they havn't bothered to help you then.... depends on the level of incompetence or whether you can tell that they are just plain RUDE!!!!

[dirty_bass]

To be fare, the promoter didn't know what Paul was bringing and they are nice people...

I will say as well that in the past I have been to a random party and some guy is on the rosta purporting to be 'Live' and he has just brought along his laptop and seemingly pressed 'space' bar all night...

hehe, you told me about that.
yeah, they seemed like a good bunch though, but they weren`t exactly long in the tooth promoters though, they were a pretty fresh bunch doing a new thing, so you don`t expect the world in that situation.

I`ve seen a few PA`s myself of the "just press play variety", or so called live PA`s just being a 2 track DJ mix of fully made tracks in ableton.
Shocking.

Live should be live.


Are you at the Vin Pisser????
SKIVER!!!!

I`m working at home for the consultancy this week.
Loud music, comfort of home, decent wedge, can`t beat it.

[dirty_bass]

Just tell them all "I am not at home to your stupidity today"

[Little_Fella!]

Just tell them all "I am not at home to your stupidity today"

I already have... whilst watching 'Red Tube'.... heheh eheheheheeee hackle hack!!!:blahhh:

[holotropik]

Well I got sick of having to set up on crap space
so I had a road case built that holds all my shit.
Then I went to the hardware stor and bought one
of those cheap folding ladder work-stand things.

Now I rock up and if I cant fit my case on top of something already there (Decks included),
I wack up the ladder work-bench thingo and provide my own table top.

Having everything in a road case (with wheels) means I only have to take the lid off, plug in power and a link to PA and I am ready to rock! Takes me 5mins.

But still to this day (after doing this for 6yrs now) I still cant handle the attitude from DJs and I cant handle ****tard promoters who think its ok to act like twats.

Mostly I hate the poor quality of PAs installed in venues....99% suck dogs balls.