information for organisers & musicians

To save time (and angst) all musicians playing through the system should read this page, if not the entire website. This page can be directly accessed from this link - http://tinyurl.com/5h469o.

Firstly - there is no mains power available.

Acoustic/vocal PA, powered by pedal power via a 12v battery.

2x front of house speakers on stands - 100w RMS per channel
8 channel spirit folio mixer
Yamaha digital reverb

Also available, as available/requested:

monitoring with a separate mix
70w backline amplifier for guitar, bass (or both - 3 inputs total)
50W lead guitar amplifier (with distortion, chorus & delay effects)
5 octave electronic keyboard & stand
2x column speakers for use with small amplifier as second system
lighting - 2x flourescent lights with coloured gels

don't forget - no mains power is available

This may seem particularly awkward of me, but we run a system on very limited power, and want as much of that power as possible to go into creating loud, clean audio. Converting 12v into mains to run unknown loads - electronics, or amplifiers - will severely compromise that goal. This is a major change of normal gig setups where there's plenty of power for effects, and ever increasing audio levels. We're not like that; you may need to look at every piece of kit for every musician, and compromise on your usual setup - this especially applies to electric bands - you won't get to use your favourite amplifier, but if you work with me you'll probably get 95% of what you normally have, and get to play a fun gig that's certainly different. When a gig is pedal powered, we like everything to be pedal powered.

If you're due to play through our system, you can make the gig easier for the both of us if you can send me a lineup list in advance. A full stage plan is great, but if you can come up with something similar to:

Dave - vocal mic, DI for acoustic guitar
Jen - electric bass, will require amp
Steve - drums/percussion, also vocal mic
Sarah - accordion (2x DIs please) & flute/vocals (can use same mic for both)

Such a list means that I can plan in advance, and we can sort out any potential problems in advance. I don't take what I'm not going to use, so for example don't assume that the keyboard or bass amp will be available by default. Also having written down names means I can plan the sound desk, and also makes sound checks so much quicker & human.

Speaking of sound checks - if you get one at all. Please remember this is time for me, not you - I need to hear every mic & instrument seperately and find out what sound you want before you start playing together. When you do play a piece together, please don't use the time to rehearse the new song - that really is a waste of my time and yours, yours as you'll probably play more timidly that you will later on, and if you're not happy wit it by now, don't play it. What I suggest to bands is play a cover that you enjoy playing - you'll play well & confidently, I get a chance to balance the band and we have a bit of a laugh. Don't then be tempted to put the song in your set, though, it'll be all the audience remember, sadly.

just in case you missed it the first two times, there's no mains power You'd be amazed how many people don't actually seem to notice this bit!

Please don't let this bit put you off; with a bit of communication, we'll be able to find a solution to almost any situation. I can't change the laws of physics or build you a custom bit of kit on the spot, so make sure everything is sorted well in advance. If I say I don't have something or something isn't [easily] possible, it's because that is the case. Treat it like a pub gig with a vocal PA and borrowed backline amps, and you'll have a great time - trust me. ;-)