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:

[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!!:laughing:

[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!!:laughing:

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...:pirate:

[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!!!!:oicamereyou:

[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...:pirate:

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.

[Little_Fella!]

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

.

I'm doing my best, as you can see!!!!:laughing:

[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.

[dirty_bass]

It`s not the quality of the soundsystems it`s the way they are run in most cases.
Sometimes I mow in and adjust the rig myself, it`s shocking the amount of people who own soundsystems yet have no idea how to make them sound good.
Heaps of bass and top, yet no mid range definition is a very common problem with rigs. As well as ridiculously bad limiter and crossover settings inappropriate for the attatched speakers.

[DannyBlack]

To me there is nowt worse than shit monitors. have to have decent monitors.

[dirty_bass]

About the one thing not to worry about with Live PA`s is the monitors.
Turn them off and work from the rig, it`s far more relevant to what is going on.

[holotropik]

You are correct DB. I have oft found myself in the rack making a difference in order to polish the turd.

[Little_Fella!]

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.

Good idea that... we joked about having to strap a trestle table to your back whenever you played out, and then being able to use it at the car boot sale you gotta do the next day coz the promoter's ran off with all the takings to cover his crack bill....:briggin:

[RDR]

Good idea that... we joked about having to strap a trestle table to your back whenever you played out, and then being able to use it at the car boot sale you gotta do the next day coz the promoter's ran off with all the takings to cover his crack bill....:briggin:

How many of us are members of the musicians union? And how much good do you think they do?

Personally speaking I think they're of NO use to me as a live techno performer. Their magazine is a joke and the 'contracts' they give out are laughable.

the live performance one has a clause in it whereby a performer is within their rights to ask for a piano center stage.

:laughing:

[holotropik]

Good idea that... we joked about having to strap a trestle table to your back whenever you played out, and then being able to use it at the car boot sale you gotta do the next day coz the promoter's ran off with all the takings to cover his crack bill....:briggin:

Dont laugh....but I strap the work bench to the case with a ratchet strap and drag the rig around to parties.....hehehe.

:(

[mattboyslim]

Some mnml nob at Antiworld festival this summer wouldn't move his CD wallet to let me set my laptop up.

"All you lot have been doing is get in my way" he chirps

cock

[holotropik]

It really is a school boy type jealousy thing...no?

[RDR]

Some mnml nob at Antiworld festival this summer wouldn't move his CD wallet to let me set my laptop up.

"All you lot have been doing is get in my way" he chirps

cock

Should have just moved his wallet anyway.

And then snapped a CD into two and threatened him with the sharp end.

bellend.

[holotropik]

its all good tho....keeps you sharp.

[RDR]

its all good tho....keeps you sharp.


Thats true :)

[Little_Fella!]

Some mnml nob at Antiworld festival this summer wouldn't move his CD wallet to let me set my laptop up.

"All you lot have been doing is get in my way" he chirps

cock


Hate people who carry on like this... makes my blood boil...:rufinger:

I have to get mi tuppeneth in, as I always do re-obnoxious behaviour, and say that chiz choz charly is a key factor in making people behave in a way the term you use so eloquently - 'cock'...:grr:

[Microdot]

doing a live set is alot easier than it used to be.
me and mikey used to break down the whole studio to go out and play live. 909, 303, monopoly, mixing desk, the works.

now I just take ableton and a couple of midi controllers and a keyboard.

for the record, if another DJ or performer is being a prick on the night, I'll confront him and if he doesn't pull his neck in, I'll knock him out.
unfortunately physical violence and/or public humiliation seem to be the only way to deal with wankers in general, especially in the club scene.

[The Overfiend]

doing a live set is alot easier than it used to be.
me and mikey used to break down the whole studio to go out and play live. 909, 303, monopoly, mixing desk, the works.

now I just take ableton and a couple of midi controllers and a keyboard.

for the record, if another DJ or performer is being a prick on the night, I'll confront him and if he doesn't pull his neck in, I'll knock him out.
unfortunately physical violence and/or public humiliation seem to be the only way to deal with wankers in general, especially in the club scene.

That's what I'm talkin' bout!
Let 'em know you ain't playin' games.

[module]

doing a live set is alot easier than it used to be.
me and mikey used to break down the whole studio to go out and play live. 909, 303, monopoly, mixing desk, the works.

now I just take ableton and a couple of midi controllers and a keyboard.

for the record, if another DJ or performer is being a prick on the night, I'll confront him and if he doesn't pull his neck in, I'll knock him out.
unfortunately physical violence and/or public humiliation seem to be the only way to deal with wankers in general, especially in the club scene.

violence begits violence..

and quite frankly, i wouldnt book/play with anyone who solves problems with fists.. jus my call though.

[The Overfiend]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j4u0y3Rg-4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRhOO-mzxvs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0-JqdXEVDM

JEREMY ELLIS KING OF LIVE PERIOD

[AcidTrash]

Sometimes its bad, sometimes it's good. Always best to have a plan B.

[holotropik]

Holy sheet!! that Jeremy Ellis IS the shit!! Bloody Hell!!

[Microdot]

violence begits violence..

and quite frankly, i wouldnt book/play with anyone who solves problems with fists.. jus my call though.

I don't normally do that much research into the other DJs on the line up tbh.
but of course, if I found out they used violence to solve problems I would cancel the booking immediately......




















bell end

[maily]

lol

[The Overfiend]

If someone tries to play me.
I let them know how I feel.
Plain and simple.
The reaction depends on their initial action.

And yeah Jeremy Ellis is definitely that dude!
He's the jefe if you ask me.

[Microdot]

If someone tries to play me.
I let them know how I feel.
Plain and simple.
The reaction depends on their initial action.

And yeah Jeremy Ellis is definitely that dude!
He's the jefe if you ask me.

no doubt holmes....

my iitial post was kinda tongue in cheek, as anyone who knows me wil testify to...
but, regardless of tree huggin lesbos' reaction to what id said......

from dat to dat, i feel peace n love
but if they aint feelin that........i'll take it as far as my enemy sees fit.....


peace n love....

[The Overfiend]

When we get up Jon remind me to bring the acapella from M.O.P. Ante Up in my set.

[viagratek]

with technology these days its true....live PAs are helluva lot easier then they used to be. laptop + a few controllers + another piece of gear if necessary can prolly be hookedup to any 4 channel dj mixer. bring RCA's, your own power strips and hopefully a bus powered soundcard as well as midis.....saves alot of hassle :D


cant believe the djs who hassle/are bothered by live PA's out there. luckily i dont have to deal with that much around here in LA...but then again i throw alot of the parties i play at anyway so no worries haha

[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. :)

[djshiva]

Some mnml nob at Antiworld festival this summer wouldn't move his CD wallet to let me set my laptop up.

"All you lot have been doing is get in my way" he chirps

cock

wow. that's when you "accidentally" spill your drink on his CD case.

people can be so lame.

[Komplex]

Should have just moved his wallet anyway.

And then snapped a CD into two and threatened him with the sharp end.

bellend.

hahahah

[the_psychologist]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j4u0y3Rg-4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRhOO-mzxvs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0-JqdXEVDM

JEREMY ELLIS KING OF LIVE PERIOD

Ohno, a whole new era of Live "turntablism" where people show their mad skills, but can't get a crowd dancing for shit. pardon me if i sound harsh, but i will always prefer danceability.