Live Setup for touring. Truly a thread for the ages.

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andwhatnot

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Hey guys, I am trying to upgrade some shit. Another all in one, giant fucking question for you guys. My band will be touring next summer (recording got in the way this summer) and we are trying to get everything we need to have a perfect, flawless tour with no equipment failing at all and without any issues. I realize this is impossible, but we have a bunch of time to prepare and test out our rigs on upcoming shows, show were gonna give it a damn shot :D . At the moment we have an alright setup, good instruments and gear, but it's the small stuff now. I'll give you the idea of our situation, don't mind the fact that this may be the longest OP in the history of this forum, nay, any forum.

We have good gear but need to kind of get our guitars and bass stuff to mesh together and make that wall of sound. Do you suggest just sitting down to take the time to re-EQ our amps and find placing correctly to get that sound awesome?

We need to flight case everything, we kind of want to have our heads, cabs, rack shit and shelves for pedals and chords all in one case per rig (should be 3 in total, 2 guitars 1 bass, and we're not into building that stuff), so you guys got suggestions for something like that, or close?

We have wireless for instruments, we have the traditional crabcore boxes, we have mics, we have mic stands, etc... We don't have mics to mic our cabs, do we need that stuff or does the venue generally handle that stuff?

I recently asked in another thread about lights, and after taking the opinions from that thread and my own research I'm thinking about these: http://www.usedlighting.com/14206/aiwei ... oving-head, on top of the par 36's we have mounted on PA stands to point up at our banner behind our drummer when we get one (more on that later), and ones mounted under our boxes up front to provide accent lighting, are those good? I realize their cheap, but we're fine with that.

Can you guys suggest some strobes? Or would that be overkill?

Can you guys suggest a dmx controller and program to accompany it to set a synced, specific light show?

Back to the banner thing, we have a placeholder logo right now, but we need some nicer stuff, do you guys know any graphic design artists that would be good for a metal logo somewhat like Adestria's, and be in for doing shirt designs in the future?

We also need to get some banners themselves made up, we may know someone for that, but suggestions are welcome. We are looking for 4 banners, 2 small ones to put in front of our rigs on each side, one for behind the drummer, one for the merch, all set up inside of that pvc-piping type stuff.

Do we need our own drum mics?

HOW TO WE GET THIS STUFF SET UP QUICKLY?

And on to the big one(s) (as if the stuff above wasn't enough): We are looking to possibly buy a laptop for the band use only, as we currently do not have a synth player to spend all his money on that stuff. Ultimate goal: Laptop runs light show, backing tracks, click tracks, possibly triggers for kick on drum kit. I am thinking a pimped out Mac Mini, with high ram and shit, SSD hard drive (particularly good for touring) and some random shitty screen to put the stuff on. But it's even more setup time for keyboard and mouse and stuff, but that's all pre-set stuff we can handle. Give your opinions riiiiight...... now.

We need suggestions for in ear monitors, preferably one receiver with multiple bodypacks, so as to save money. The issue with this is that we need to try to have vocals in there too, as this is one of the main reasons for trying to get in-ears, because vocal harmonies become substantially easier when you hear what you are singing. So this is my thoughts on it, vocals -> input of fast track ultra 8r -> laptop -> output of fast track ultra 8r (with 8 outputs) -> all three (click, backing track, vocals) go to DI boxes, but backing tracks and vocals go through THRU on the DI boxes to the FOH -> all go to mini PA (4-5 inputs, as compact as possible, probably will be rackmounted on a shelf or something), where levels are controlled for everyone -> one output to in-ear wireless system -> separate bodypacks for each person, including drummer. After some moderately extensive research, this appears to be the best possible way for us, because I am EXTREMELY wary of 99% of sound guys (if there even is one, which sometimes there is not), so this gives all control to us. As long as the computer can handle the processing power, this shouldn't be an issue. Let me know your opinions on that setup. We need to find the in-ears that send out the same signal to multiple bodypacks. From my understanding of how the hell wireless frequencies work, any in-ears should be able to do this as long as they have matching bodypacks and stuff, but I want to make sure. I was thinking of these, nothing too expensive: http://www.zzounds.com/item--NDYPEM1000. Or these, slightly more expensive: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004Z5BEV0?tag=get.comq-20.

How would you go about setting up such a complicated setup so fast? HOW? I don't want extra people on tour. We went over our setup time with our current setup, so suggestions are definitely welcome.

I think that's it. Not too much, right? :lol: :LOL: . Sorry for the probably pretty close to the 60,000 character limit message, but these all had to be asked at some point, might as well ask them all at once. Feel free to only answer one or two, I don't want anyone to feel obligated to answer all of these questions. That may take years. Thanks in advance!
 
Rezamatix":3is4ctvy said:
Wireless you need one transmitter and as many receivers as there are band members.
1. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-...&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CIuEl4Gm5rECFaUZQgodiH8AYg

I would suggest containing your entire laptop/computer/IEM's KIT in ONE skb roto . Foam lined drawer for storage of IEM gear and misc. you can get a middle atlantic sliding rack shelf and DUAL lock the mac mini inside. Use tie downs for all the cabling, mark all the cabling and have backups, dont forget a small flashlight for dark stage troubleshooting. If you are going to make this the brain of the operation, dont skimp. and make it generally replaceable. Meaning if something goes down you can get it at a regular GC location on the road.
2.http://www.guitarcenter.com/SKB-Roto-Rack-Console---Audio-and-DJ-Rack-Case-105811319-i1528624.gc

Meshing for a wall of sound. Every venue is going to be different. but you guys can always be the constant. Make sure you have some friends stand in front of your band at various settings, with a decent PA. and you will be able to mark your settings and be ready to have to adapt to each venue. Sometimes the volume you had set as your baseline settings might have to go up or down. But at least you have established your core BAND sound.

Road cases are easy, just get them made. $$$
:)

I dont care about lighting. If the venue gives me a light show Im good. rather put my money into Gear.
Banners seem to be pretty common, weve never used them.

Drum Mics- never hurts to have a small case with all the mics that you used to get your BAND sound in the pre tour set up phase. If you go somewhere and they dont put a D112 in front of the kick, then youll always have one.

YOu want it set up quickly. Pay Someone. :)

I agree with 99% of this and will add:

If you bring mics, bring stands.
If you bring p.a, bring lights - no p.a, no lights.

Good luck with the wall of sound. Just get it sounding decent and be nice to the sound guy, he will make or break you every time, just read the many posts here on this subject.

Setup and tear down times can be improved by practice. Your band needs to find a place to practice this. Practice to a stop watch. Have someone watch for wasted effort. This will tell you what you need to do and what you should bring or leave home.

Are you the opener or the headliner? If you are not the headliner you may not have a choice in a lot of this.

If there is a staging area off the stage, a lot of stuff can be pre-assembled and moved on and off the stage quickly. Watch a multi band show and you will see what I mean.
 
On the road the first problem you will encounter are STAIRS! I like to keep the weight down of any one case to 150lbs max. You don't wanna throw out your back before a gig. Lift with your legs and have a friend help lift any case over 50lbs.

The second problem you will face is how loud you can play. I love a wall of sound as much as the next guitar player but, people need to order their drinks at the bar. Meaning a stage volume of around 100db. 85db is loud talking volume.

The third problem is electricity. Most bars are poorly wired, not grounded, and have the whole band running off 1 15amp breaker. Now if you add a 600watt strobe and a couple of moving head lights you start to throw breakers fast.

The fourth problem is wireless. Scanning for open frequency's, IEM, Mics, mixers all that stuff isn't needed to tour. Its nice, but I would rather bring some trusty cables on my tour.
 
Rezamatix":1r8qyzac said:
Wireless you need one transmitter and as many receivers as there are band members.
1. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-...&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CIuEl4Gm5rECFaUZQgodiH8AYg

I would suggest containing your entire laptop/computer/IEM's KIT in ONE skb roto . Foam lined drawer for storage of IEM gear and misc. you can get a middle atlantic sliding rack shelf and DUAL lock the mac mini inside. Use tie downs for all the cabling, mark all the cabling and have backups, dont forget a small flashlight for dark stage troubleshooting. If you are going to make this the brain of the operation, dont skimp. and make it generally replaceable. Meaning if something goes down you can get it at a regular GC location on the road.
2.http://www.guitarcenter.com/SKB-Roto-Rack-Console---Audio-and-DJ-Rack-Case-105811319-i1528624.gc

Meshing for a wall of sound. Every venue is going to be different. but you guys can always be the constant. Make sure you have some friends stand in front of your band at various settings, with a decent PA. and you will be able to mark your settings and be ready to have to adapt to each venue. Sometimes the volume you had set as your baseline settings might have to go up or down. But at least you have established your core BAND sound.

Road cases are easy, just get them made. $$$
:)

I dont care about lighting. If the venue gives me a light show Im good. rather put my money into Gear.
Banners seem to be pretty common, weve never used them.

Drum Mics- never hurts to have a small case with all the mics that you used to get your BAND sound in the pre tour set up phase. If you go somewhere and they dont put a D112 in front of the kick, then youll always have one.

YOu want it set up quickly. Pay Someone. :)

Thanks for the info, I really like that skb case too. I found out recently they make a rack shelf specifically for Mac Mini's, so if that is a route I go I will definitely be able to secure it pretty well. I will probably end up bringing one person on tour with us, as a person to help setup that knows how everything works, but also has a good idea about sound to help us out if the sound guy is an idiot or not even present.

guitarmike":1r8qyzac said:
I agree with 99% of this and will add:

If you bring mics, bring stands.
If you bring p.a, bring lights - no p.a, no lights.

Good luck with the wall of sound. Just get it sounding decent and be nice to the sound guy, he will make or break you every time, just read the many posts here on this subject.

Setup and tear down times can be improved by practice. Your band needs to find a place to practice this. Practice to a stop watch. Have someone watch for wasted effort. This will tell you what you need to do and what you should bring or leave home.

Are you the opener or the headliner? If you are not the headliner you may not have a choice in a lot of this.

If there is a staging area off the stage, a lot of stuff can be pre-assembled and moved on and off the stage quickly. Watch a multi band show and you will see what I mean.

We may or may not be headlining, maybe 50/50. We might be the only ones playing some night, it may be a whole tour with a group of two or three other bands, whatever is available really.

LukeCurd":1r8qyzac said:
On the road the first problem you will encounter are STAIRS! I like to keep the weight down of any one case to 150lbs max. You don't wanna throw out your back before a gig. Lift with your legs and have a friend help lift any case over 50lbs.

The second problem you will face is how loud you can play. I love a wall of sound as much as the next guitar player but, people need to order their drinks at the bar. Meaning a stage volume of around 100db. 85db is loud talking volume.

The third problem is electricity. Most bars are poorly wired, not grounded, and have the whole band running off 1 15amp breaker. Now if you add a 600watt strobe and a couple of moving head lights you start to throw breakers fast.

The fourth problem is wireless. Scanning for open frequency's, IEM, Mics, mixers all that stuff isn't needed to tour. Its nice, but I would rather bring some trusty cables on my tour.

1 is an issue, but the other ones should not be a big deal since we are a metalcore, hardcore genre band, so we won't be playing many (or any) bars, mostly concert type venues, such as halls, small clubs, and catching a few shows with a larger tour when possible. Hopefully wireless won't be an issue, as the only reason we have it is because our stage show has show muh movement, headbanging, jumping, running around, etc... that we would pull our chords ou 2-3 times a show, even when taking it easy. Electricity should not be an issue in a club type setting hopefully, as they expect the demand I would think. Noise limits definitely shouldn't be an issue in these settings either, as people will be coming 9/10 only to listen to music, and it is like a concert type deal more than a bar. We will definitely bring chords also, but wireless would be our preferred route. Of course, nothing ever goes right at a gig, so for sure a few shows will be played with chords.

Does anyone have suggestions for in ears? Also, I we handled all the things above, does it look like our band would be ready for a regional sized tour?
 
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