... I'm not referring to the balance we sound-guys and -gals achieve by pushing and pulling faders on the console.
For those of you who take responsibility for your band's PA system, and perhaps mix your group from stage: how do you balance the left-brained demands of setup, troubleshooting, mixing, feedback suppression, etc. (all under time pressure) with the right-brained demands of performing?
After a stressful, exhausted night of schlepping equipment, stacking speakers, patching ins and outs, soundchecking, mixing the opener, and then finally playing our two sets before striking and load out (3rd day in a row of such activity), it became clear that my assumed responsibilities managing our PA were negatively affecting both my performance as a guitarist and my level of enjoyment of something intended to be fun.
Initial takeaways:
A) Our rig is overkill for these situations. (Rig: full X32, 2x DSR112 over 2x DSR118W, two monitor mixes, 4x Vox, Gtr, Bass, Sax, Drums in the PA. Situation: 150 cap Bar with cleared dancefloor and portable riser stage). I need to simplify both outputs and inputs.
B) Our X32 is too complex for my bandmates, so they're of minimal assistance. I need to train them better or simplify the equipment.
c) I need to remove technical distractions while onstage, ideally finding a mixerperson to take over. Unfortunately, there ain't much money in it to pay another party... naturally
What have you done to reach a more sustainable balance between your technical and creative sides during these sorts of gigs?
For those of you who take responsibility for your band's PA system, and perhaps mix your group from stage: how do you balance the left-brained demands of setup, troubleshooting, mixing, feedback suppression, etc. (all under time pressure) with the right-brained demands of performing?
After a stressful, exhausted night of schlepping equipment, stacking speakers, patching ins and outs, soundchecking, mixing the opener, and then finally playing our two sets before striking and load out (3rd day in a row of such activity), it became clear that my assumed responsibilities managing our PA were negatively affecting both my performance as a guitarist and my level of enjoyment of something intended to be fun.
Initial takeaways:
A) Our rig is overkill for these situations. (Rig: full X32, 2x DSR112 over 2x DSR118W, two monitor mixes, 4x Vox, Gtr, Bass, Sax, Drums in the PA. Situation: 150 cap Bar with cleared dancefloor and portable riser stage). I need to simplify both outputs and inputs.
B) Our X32 is too complex for my bandmates, so they're of minimal assistance. I need to train them better or simplify the equipment.
c) I need to remove technical distractions while onstage, ideally finding a mixerperson to take over. Unfortunately, there ain't much money in it to pay another party... naturally
What have you done to reach a more sustainable balance between your technical and creative sides during these sorts of gigs?