moaner
01-07-2005, 05:54 PM
I have put together a list fo things you shouldn't go to a gig without. Please, put your suggestions in the thread so I can add them in.
Gig checklist
Absolutely vital:
Full compliment of band members (don't laugh, you'd be surprised…)
A Tuner
The following spare leads (in addition to those you need anyway):
1 XLR-Jack
1 XLR-XLR
2 jack-jack
2 patch leads
If you're recording the gig:
1 phono to minijack converter
1 minijack-minijack lead
1 phono lead
A spare kettle (power) lead
All the lyrics for all the songs, in a folder
Ideally, you would have, as well as all your normal amps, a keyboard amp. These are great, because you can use them for anything if any amp breaks. However, if you don't have a keyboard amp, you'll need separates.
So either:
1 Keyboard amp
A distortion pedal
OR
1 bass amp
1 guitar amp
If your Pa blows, have the singer sing into the bass amp, as these are very neutrally voiced.
A Spare set of Sticks
2 spare sets of string for each guitarist
About 5 picks per guitarist
A drum key
A spare mic
A LOT of bottled water, at least a litre per person
9 volt batteries
Gaffa tape
Spare tubes, and oven gloves, if you're using tube amps
Some money
A couple of towels
Something like a Roadie Rench (http://www.roadierench.com) (these things are the shiznit) or all the Allen keys you might need x2, with Phillips head and flat head screwdrivers, pliers, etc. maybe a soldering iron if you have someone that could use one.
Some food. You'd be surprised how having a snack at 5 and coming out for a sound check can leave you starving at 8. Breakfast bars, mars bars and packets of biscuits are good, sandwiches, etc., are not, you want something you can eat while busy.
The following apply only if using house PA:
About every converter ever. On top of the above XLR and jack leads:
Another XLR-Jack lead
Another XLR-XLR lead
A spare speaker lead (LONG)
And if you're using your own PA:
A spare speaker lead (LONG)
Something to get the singer heard if the powered mixer blows. The rest of the band will have to manage with amps, and your singer can use a spare amp if necessary. If one of your band goes straight to mixer with an amp modeller etc., make sure there's something for them to plug into (if possible, a CD input/line in on the other guitarist's amp)
The following are very useful:
A well-trained roadie. Someone to change strings, help shift stuff, fetch people stuff, and generally help. You need to get sufficient roadies to do the following:
Change strings on guitars onstage
Tune a guitar or bass (if you use Floyd Rose guitars, make sure they know how to use these)
Put together a drum kit
Set up a guitar/bass rig
Set up a PA (not necessarily sound levels, just plug everything in)
Strangely enough, friends usually seem happy enough to do this. :thumb:
A spare guitar/bass
A spare mic stand
Any CDs/Tshirts etc. you might be able to sell
A spare guitar/bass strap
Agreeing with other bands to pool what you have in case something breaks for someone
A Multi FX (you can pick them up helluva cheap) so that you can bring your tone with you in case you have to use house amps etc. To be honest, an amp modeller like you might use for home recording (like the Behringer v-amp 2 (http://www.v-amp.com/V-AMP2/index.cfm)) are invaluable for taking your sound wherever you go. They make great backups, but are fine to use as your main amp, stright to PA or into amp (into the 'poweramp in' in the FX loop if possible), as long as you have a footswitch.
Gig checklist
Absolutely vital:
Full compliment of band members (don't laugh, you'd be surprised…)
A Tuner
The following spare leads (in addition to those you need anyway):
1 XLR-Jack
1 XLR-XLR
2 jack-jack
2 patch leads
If you're recording the gig:
1 phono to minijack converter
1 minijack-minijack lead
1 phono lead
A spare kettle (power) lead
All the lyrics for all the songs, in a folder
Ideally, you would have, as well as all your normal amps, a keyboard amp. These are great, because you can use them for anything if any amp breaks. However, if you don't have a keyboard amp, you'll need separates.
So either:
1 Keyboard amp
A distortion pedal
OR
1 bass amp
1 guitar amp
If your Pa blows, have the singer sing into the bass amp, as these are very neutrally voiced.
A Spare set of Sticks
2 spare sets of string for each guitarist
About 5 picks per guitarist
A drum key
A spare mic
A LOT of bottled water, at least a litre per person
9 volt batteries
Gaffa tape
Spare tubes, and oven gloves, if you're using tube amps
Some money
A couple of towels
Something like a Roadie Rench (http://www.roadierench.com) (these things are the shiznit) or all the Allen keys you might need x2, with Phillips head and flat head screwdrivers, pliers, etc. maybe a soldering iron if you have someone that could use one.
Some food. You'd be surprised how having a snack at 5 and coming out for a sound check can leave you starving at 8. Breakfast bars, mars bars and packets of biscuits are good, sandwiches, etc., are not, you want something you can eat while busy.
The following apply only if using house PA:
About every converter ever. On top of the above XLR and jack leads:
Another XLR-Jack lead
Another XLR-XLR lead
A spare speaker lead (LONG)
And if you're using your own PA:
A spare speaker lead (LONG)
Something to get the singer heard if the powered mixer blows. The rest of the band will have to manage with amps, and your singer can use a spare amp if necessary. If one of your band goes straight to mixer with an amp modeller etc., make sure there's something for them to plug into (if possible, a CD input/line in on the other guitarist's amp)
The following are very useful:
A well-trained roadie. Someone to change strings, help shift stuff, fetch people stuff, and generally help. You need to get sufficient roadies to do the following:
Change strings on guitars onstage
Tune a guitar or bass (if you use Floyd Rose guitars, make sure they know how to use these)
Put together a drum kit
Set up a guitar/bass rig
Set up a PA (not necessarily sound levels, just plug everything in)
Strangely enough, friends usually seem happy enough to do this. :thumb:
A spare guitar/bass
A spare mic stand
Any CDs/Tshirts etc. you might be able to sell
A spare guitar/bass strap
Agreeing with other bands to pool what you have in case something breaks for someone
A Multi FX (you can pick them up helluva cheap) so that you can bring your tone with you in case you have to use house amps etc. To be honest, an amp modeller like you might use for home recording (like the Behringer v-amp 2 (http://www.v-amp.com/V-AMP2/index.cfm)) are invaluable for taking your sound wherever you go. They make great backups, but are fine to use as your main amp, stright to PA or into amp (into the 'poweramp in' in the FX loop if possible), as long as you have a footswitch.