I've been doing the same 2 annual live sound gigs for 2 1/2 years now. When I started I didn't have a clue and now I'm only doing slightly better IMO. So I'm looking for suggestions both for adding to the rig and for improving the implementation.
I really only need advice for the more complicated of these two gigs since the other one went off without any serious hiccups earlier this year. The one coming up late October has always been difficult for me, partially because I don't have a crew. I think that may change a little this year as I've made friends with a cover band and I believe they will trade roadie labor for use of the equipment for one or two of their own gigs. They have a powered mixer and a couple Alesis powered speakers while I have an SRX/iTech/MixWiz rig.
Once I can pull off this gig which is admittedly low-demand as live gigs go, I'll look to start charging for my services -- the two I already do are non-profit events which I do for free as a donation to the organization. I'm just now starting to get serious about the sound business end, and most of that will be as a wedding DJ. So in the future, I'll probably charge them, then donate the fee right back for tax reasons. My girlfriend is an accountant studying for her CPA exam so I'll consult with her on that.
Rig right now...
MICROPHONES: SM58 (x5), SM57 (x4), Beta 57A, OM2, AT Freeway 200 lav wireless, and 1 cheap no-name
DI BOXES: 2 Single channel Radial, 1 stereo Radial, 1 single channel LiveWire
ISO TRANSFORMERS: 2 ART DTI
MIXERS: A&H MixWiz W3 16:2, Mackie 1402 VLZ Pro, Behr. MMX882 Mixer/Splitter (x2), Behr. UB802 + 2 DJ mixers
EQ: dbx 2231 dual channel 31 band with Dolby and peak limiter
CROSSOVER: Ashly XR1002, BBE Max3 (x2)
LOUDSPEAKER MANAGEMENT: dbx DR260, Behr DCX2496
PROCESSING: Behr FBQ2496 Feedback
AMPS: iTech 8k, RMX2450 (x3), GX5 (x2), XLS402, CS800, P2700S
SPEAKERS: K10 (pair), SRX712M (pair), S115IV (pair), SRX728S, Custom DIY 2x18 Beyma 18G50 loaded (x2),
SNAKES: OSP 100' 12/4, LiveWire 150' 16/4
XLR CABLE: roughly 800' of 100', 50', 25', 20' and 15'
SPEAKER CABLE: 50' 12 ga. enough for all passive speakers, connectors appropriate for each cab and amp combo.
+ cases, stands, lots of adapters, power extension cords, simple rackmount power strips, rack cases, etc. and some equipment not listed but not considering using (like Kustom and Harbinger cabs). I also have a pickup and a 5x8 trailer.
The venue will change this year - it will be an outdoor area with a portable stage. Attendance will likely be very light and spread out, mostly in a quad area of a campus - primary coverage area around 4000 s.f. So far I am seeing I probably have access to a 4 outlet, 15a receptacle box - finding out for sure later this week.
For reference, last year I ran the entire show using just the pair of SRX712M with no sub for mains, and for monitors, a pair each of 12" and 15" Yamaha club stage monitors and a single K10. The coverage area was different and my main problem wasn't volume, but coverage (width, not depth). I suspect that this year if I ran the same setup, I would be lacking in both depth and width.
For strictly horizontal coverage, I was thinking of using my SRX712M's as mains again, but supplementing with a pair of K10's as center fill. I would then rent the 4 Club monitors I used last year and add 1 or 2 Club mains used as monitors as needed. I would also add a single Beyma sub (my SRX728S is damaged and don't really have time to deal with it before the show) more for filling out the range of reproduction vs. having loud thumping bass.
To power the speakers I would use the iTech for the mains (SRX tops, Beyma sub) and the RMX2450 for the monitors (fills are powered)
My FOH can be as close as the 100' snake goes so I can run one snake to the stage and one from the stage.
I would use my 4 auxes on the MixWiz as monitor feeds. I plan on purchasing another 2 ch. 31 band EQ so each monitor mix has its own EQ. I'm looking at the DOD SR231 QXLR. I'm not sure if that would allow me to run an aux fed sub or not. I haven't changed any of the internal jumpers on the MixWiz to alter pre-fade, post-fade settings and the like.
I also haven't used either of my loudspeaker management units yet. The dbx I bought new. The Behringer I bought cheap, used, pretty much just thrown in, when I bought my RMX2450's. I understand the serial interface on the dbx is very finicky about what serial port it uses... native ports seem to work best while serial port PC cards rarely work. Without a desktop computer with a serial port, that leaves me wondering if the one I bought will work. It seems I've read the Behringer interface isn't nearly as much of a problem. I understand the Behr. is not of the same quality, but I'm more concerned about being operational period vs. optimal sound right now. Mind you, I would only need a loudspeaker management unit for the monitors since I have the DSP in the iTech for the SRX mains and the sub and the K10's can be set to EXT SUB for crossover purposes... don't foresee needing delay, limiting, EQ etc. on the K10's. I'm not sure how much DSP I would use for the monitors considering I've got the 4 EQ channels, 2 with peak limiting.
Another concern... when using the iTech at home, I use heavy duty cable but add a home-made adapter to be able to use a 15a outlet. When doing this I don't run anything at full output so I'm not really concerned about the 20a vs. 15a problem. I figure the worst case scenario is, I trip a breaker. However, for a show I won't do this. If I only have 15a available, I'm thinking I should just rent something like a PL380 to sub in its place. My GX5's are out of commission at the moment (blew them the same time as the SRX728S and won't address before show for same reason). The other amps don't have enough power, although I could see possibly running something like the XLS402 for monitors and using one of the RMX2450 bridged for subs, another for the mains bridged mono, and renting a couple of amps for the monitors. Last year's venue had a power box with all 20a receptacles. I don't see that here but I wasn't with the facility manager when I previewed the facility. I may find I do have 20a available.
I don't typically hook up the FBQ2496 for feedback, but think I'll try it for either the podium mic or lead singer mic as an insert this year. I have focused on proper mic placement in the past but still get feedback once in a while from monitors.
Last year I used an amp rack on stage and had all my processing at FOH. That worked well.
Also this year, I intend to do a slight amount of DJ work from the FOH and wondering if anyone sees a potential issue there.
At my last event there was interest in plugging into my outputs to record the event. I'm thinking of using the MMX882 for this. None of my crossovers have summed mono outputs but my MixWiz has a mono output. I could ignore the stereo outs and run the mono out to one of the MMX882 to split it to up to 8 channels. One of those outputs could daisy chain to the next MMX882 for use as a quasi pressbox.
There's an outside chance I'll decide to add some to my rig beyond the EQ unit. My initial thought is that adding monitors that can double as b-rigs would work. I'm thinking about the new Live-X cabs for that but also thinking if I added my mic drum kit, I could still rent the monitors when needed.
I need to run, so I'll probably think of another issue or two I want to address. Please let me know your thoughts on the above. Thanks.
I really only need advice for the more complicated of these two gigs since the other one went off without any serious hiccups earlier this year. The one coming up late October has always been difficult for me, partially because I don't have a crew. I think that may change a little this year as I've made friends with a cover band and I believe they will trade roadie labor for use of the equipment for one or two of their own gigs. They have a powered mixer and a couple Alesis powered speakers while I have an SRX/iTech/MixWiz rig.
Once I can pull off this gig which is admittedly low-demand as live gigs go, I'll look to start charging for my services -- the two I already do are non-profit events which I do for free as a donation to the organization. I'm just now starting to get serious about the sound business end, and most of that will be as a wedding DJ. So in the future, I'll probably charge them, then donate the fee right back for tax reasons. My girlfriend is an accountant studying for her CPA exam so I'll consult with her on that.
Rig right now...
MICROPHONES: SM58 (x5), SM57 (x4), Beta 57A, OM2, AT Freeway 200 lav wireless, and 1 cheap no-name
DI BOXES: 2 Single channel Radial, 1 stereo Radial, 1 single channel LiveWire
ISO TRANSFORMERS: 2 ART DTI
MIXERS: A&H MixWiz W3 16:2, Mackie 1402 VLZ Pro, Behr. MMX882 Mixer/Splitter (x2), Behr. UB802 + 2 DJ mixers
EQ: dbx 2231 dual channel 31 band with Dolby and peak limiter
CROSSOVER: Ashly XR1002, BBE Max3 (x2)
LOUDSPEAKER MANAGEMENT: dbx DR260, Behr DCX2496
PROCESSING: Behr FBQ2496 Feedback
AMPS: iTech 8k, RMX2450 (x3), GX5 (x2), XLS402, CS800, P2700S
SPEAKERS: K10 (pair), SRX712M (pair), S115IV (pair), SRX728S, Custom DIY 2x18 Beyma 18G50 loaded (x2),
SNAKES: OSP 100' 12/4, LiveWire 150' 16/4
XLR CABLE: roughly 800' of 100', 50', 25', 20' and 15'
SPEAKER CABLE: 50' 12 ga. enough for all passive speakers, connectors appropriate for each cab and amp combo.
+ cases, stands, lots of adapters, power extension cords, simple rackmount power strips, rack cases, etc. and some equipment not listed but not considering using (like Kustom and Harbinger cabs). I also have a pickup and a 5x8 trailer.
The venue will change this year - it will be an outdoor area with a portable stage. Attendance will likely be very light and spread out, mostly in a quad area of a campus - primary coverage area around 4000 s.f. So far I am seeing I probably have access to a 4 outlet, 15a receptacle box - finding out for sure later this week.
For reference, last year I ran the entire show using just the pair of SRX712M with no sub for mains, and for monitors, a pair each of 12" and 15" Yamaha club stage monitors and a single K10. The coverage area was different and my main problem wasn't volume, but coverage (width, not depth). I suspect that this year if I ran the same setup, I would be lacking in both depth and width.
For strictly horizontal coverage, I was thinking of using my SRX712M's as mains again, but supplementing with a pair of K10's as center fill. I would then rent the 4 Club monitors I used last year and add 1 or 2 Club mains used as monitors as needed. I would also add a single Beyma sub (my SRX728S is damaged and don't really have time to deal with it before the show) more for filling out the range of reproduction vs. having loud thumping bass.
To power the speakers I would use the iTech for the mains (SRX tops, Beyma sub) and the RMX2450 for the monitors (fills are powered)
My FOH can be as close as the 100' snake goes so I can run one snake to the stage and one from the stage.
I would use my 4 auxes on the MixWiz as monitor feeds. I plan on purchasing another 2 ch. 31 band EQ so each monitor mix has its own EQ. I'm looking at the DOD SR231 QXLR. I'm not sure if that would allow me to run an aux fed sub or not. I haven't changed any of the internal jumpers on the MixWiz to alter pre-fade, post-fade settings and the like.
I also haven't used either of my loudspeaker management units yet. The dbx I bought new. The Behringer I bought cheap, used, pretty much just thrown in, when I bought my RMX2450's. I understand the serial interface on the dbx is very finicky about what serial port it uses... native ports seem to work best while serial port PC cards rarely work. Without a desktop computer with a serial port, that leaves me wondering if the one I bought will work. It seems I've read the Behringer interface isn't nearly as much of a problem. I understand the Behr. is not of the same quality, but I'm more concerned about being operational period vs. optimal sound right now. Mind you, I would only need a loudspeaker management unit for the monitors since I have the DSP in the iTech for the SRX mains and the sub and the K10's can be set to EXT SUB for crossover purposes... don't foresee needing delay, limiting, EQ etc. on the K10's. I'm not sure how much DSP I would use for the monitors considering I've got the 4 EQ channels, 2 with peak limiting.
Another concern... when using the iTech at home, I use heavy duty cable but add a home-made adapter to be able to use a 15a outlet. When doing this I don't run anything at full output so I'm not really concerned about the 20a vs. 15a problem. I figure the worst case scenario is, I trip a breaker. However, for a show I won't do this. If I only have 15a available, I'm thinking I should just rent something like a PL380 to sub in its place. My GX5's are out of commission at the moment (blew them the same time as the SRX728S and won't address before show for same reason). The other amps don't have enough power, although I could see possibly running something like the XLS402 for monitors and using one of the RMX2450 bridged for subs, another for the mains bridged mono, and renting a couple of amps for the monitors. Last year's venue had a power box with all 20a receptacles. I don't see that here but I wasn't with the facility manager when I previewed the facility. I may find I do have 20a available.
I don't typically hook up the FBQ2496 for feedback, but think I'll try it for either the podium mic or lead singer mic as an insert this year. I have focused on proper mic placement in the past but still get feedback once in a while from monitors.
Last year I used an amp rack on stage and had all my processing at FOH. That worked well.
Also this year, I intend to do a slight amount of DJ work from the FOH and wondering if anyone sees a potential issue there.
At my last event there was interest in plugging into my outputs to record the event. I'm thinking of using the MMX882 for this. None of my crossovers have summed mono outputs but my MixWiz has a mono output. I could ignore the stereo outs and run the mono out to one of the MMX882 to split it to up to 8 channels. One of those outputs could daisy chain to the next MMX882 for use as a quasi pressbox.
There's an outside chance I'll decide to add some to my rig beyond the EQ unit. My initial thought is that adding monitors that can double as b-rigs would work. I'm thinking about the new Live-X cabs for that but also thinking if I added my mic drum kit, I could still rent the monitors when needed.
I need to run, so I'll probably think of another issue or two I want to address. Please let me know your thoughts on the above. Thanks.
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