Gig Setups

[yourstruly]

Would setting up your band for a gig be like. Set up the instruments and amps. Then put mics whereever they are needed(amps/drums/singer) then plug the mics into some big *** speakers?.
And what exactly is a PA system?

Stupid question I know, but it's something I should know for later on in my career.

[Corkofski]

PA = house speakers
and yeah, thats about right...

[yourstruly]

cool thanks.

[DxRocker]

PA = house speakers


That's not very accurate...

The PA is generally viewed as the whole system: the mixer to wich mics are hooked up and the speakers to wich the sound is routed.

For setting up, I always insist to be the first on stage. This because guitarists and bassists tend to forget that a drumset requires some room. They usually just drop their gear on stage and say "I'm gonna stand here".

If I would let them all setup before me, I wouldn't have half the space I actually need (assuming the stage isn't enourmous).

So, for me, it is:
- setup drums.
- place PA
- mic up the drums
- setup guitars/bass/keyboards
- hook those up to PA if needed
- soundcheck.

[Aaron]

1 Riser [Drums, Cymbals, Mics]
2 Guitar Racks and Bass Rack
3 FOH [wedges, monitors, fan behind me (crucial)]
4 Vocal Setup and cabling for instruments
5 Misc stuff while desk is mixed [cable ties, water bottles, towels, tuning]
6 Clear the stage and take a gander then Sound check

[yourstruly]

what are wedges and monitors?

[Aaron]

wedge are the speakers you have on the floor of the stage so the band can hear themself, monitors are put eitherside/above/ect the stage [their also speakers]

[Meridian91]

1. drum mat goes down first for me... to park my claim...

2. amps are put in spot and wired up

3. guitars are put next to them in case ready to go.. pedals are put down etc.

4. everyone helps get drums out of cases and help with rack etc...

5. drums are set up.. mics are put on... 4 or 5... while guitar amps are getting mic'd bass is using di

6. check everything is perfect instrument wise and run all cabling neatly....

7. set up mic stands and pa

8. fine tune levels and have a soundcheck...

9. rokc out lol

[Seafroggys]

wedge are the speakers you have on the floor of the stage so the band can hear themself, monitors are put eitherside/above/ect the stage [their also speakers]

oh I thought they were one and the same :P