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Originally Posted by Clogs
Pt. 2.
STEP FOUR - SOUND CHECK
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I tell you this part as both a musician, an engineer, and an onlooker. Soundcheck is VERY important, and it is very important you do what is needed of you, for your own benefit.
Turning up ten minutes before the gig starts will mean you do not deserve a soundcheck. If you are late, you have to sacrifice this. If you are on time, do everything as instructed, then you can argue your cause for a soundcheck if you arent given one.
SOUNDCHECK is NOT a reheasal. When the engineer asks for drums, he wants to hear drums. Not Drums, with some guitar widdling over it, and the bass player playing along. The same applies to every instrument. Be prepared for soundcheck. Know which songs are most effective for soundchecking, perhaps songs where the most vocals are used, the widest variety of guitar sounds, etc. so that the engineer can get everything sounding as good as possible.
After your soundcheck, clear up and move out as fast as possible so that the next band can get their stuff set up. Typically, the headline band will soundcheck first, going through the lineup so the first band on the night will soundcheck last, and leave their gear setup.
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Also, any more than a 4 band bill its very rare to soundcheck all the bands, although some engineers are nice and do it. Don't go in a strop if you don't get a soundcheck unless you are the headlining band.
Sort the monitors during soundcheck, don't spend the entire gig saying 'cant hear ma vocals'
also it's really obvious when bands whinge about monitors to try and cover up their bad playing...
Stick to set times, don't overrun by an hour then wonder why the PA got turned off.
if you're the first band on, dont smash the fuck out of everthing, cos mics and things have to work till the end of the gig. Lots of young bands think its cool to smash shit up, and yeah its fair enough as long as it's your shit you smash up, don't jump off someone elses bass drum or smash your guitar up off a stage monitor without expecting a hefty bill or a kicking.
Treat peoples equipment with respect, other bands equipment as well as the pa, you break it you pay for it.