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[GraemeC]

Originally Posted by Flash@TMB

Yeah I figured that out.

I think rock 'n roll has gone through several golden ages, and a couple of dark ages too. One day I saw some youngsters selecting 'Strange Kind of Woman' on the jukebox, and I thought "that's a bit before their time". Then I realised that I was listening to the same track at the same age. That was in 1990, the track itself dates back to 1973... your era LOL. So I guess it was a bit before my time too!

The current scene is I believe going to be much bigger than the early 90s one, and probably bigger than the early-mid 80s one. I wouldn't be surprised if it approached the 70s. I really hope it does. The late 90s were a God awful time. Some good tunes did appear then, but overall we were an endangered species. Last Saturday night some neds drove past the bar in a purple Vauxhall Corsa and shouted "Fuckin Goths" at us. In the late 90s we were so far into oblivion that even the neds didn't bother to insult us anymore. Not that I long to be gobbed on at bus stops again.

God thats weird.....are you psychic? I saw Deep Purple on 14th October 1970 at the Music Hall....it was the night of my 15th birthday.

[Flash@TMB]

OK *straps in and braces self* we're going to try something a little controversial... *gulp*... we suspect that soundchecks are mostly a waste of everyone's time, so for a trial period of 1 month we're going to cut right back on them. After the trial period we'll reassess whether or not the full on soundcheck is worthwhile.

So this is the plan:

We'd like the larger pieces of equipment dropped off before 7.30pm. It's disruptive to go trailing a 4x12 cab through a large crowd of people during another bands set - we have to keep the fire exits closed during performance due to noise emissions.

We'll perfrom an initial line check in advance of the gig to ensure that all the mics are functioning.

Some things do need an individual check. Like for instance if someone brings along an instrument or device that we think might cause a bit of grief. Like a banjo... In those circumstances we need to check it out in advance. It's also worth setting up things like drum machines beforehand.

It'll be the responsibility of the individual musicians to ensure that their instruments and any FX pedals, amplifiers etc are all working before they depart for the gig.

Typically each band get an hour of total stage time. That hour encompasses setting up, playing the set, and packing away. In reality the first and last bands get slightly longer since they can respectively set up in advance / pack away after curfew. Depending on the complexity this equates to a performance time of 30-45min. Obviously this is flexible should we encounter a band that plays a longer set.

There will be a quick level check of the main instruments just prior to the band playing. this takes about 20 secs per instrument.

We'll make a rough guess of the mix in advance, then the guts of the acutal mixing will be done within the first minute of the first song. Truth be told this is always the case - even with a full on soundcheck. Things change between soundcheck and gig anyway.

There's likely to be some EQing taking place during the performance mostly to take account of the number of bodies in the room, and how they're affecting things.

With live music we're really just seeking to reproduce the exact sound of the drums instruments/amps and vocals through the PA. The only deliberate deviation/enhancement is to add a little reverb or delay to the vocal. Most of the EQ is there to handle feedback and restrict mic bleed.

***

The past 2 weeks circumstances have forced us to adopt this approach and it worked well, that's what gave us the idea. So we'll stick with it throughout November.

Potentially there are some major advantages with this method - these are why we're keen to explore it:

1) Unless they're bringing along something unusal the musicians don't need to appear until just before the gig, or even just prior to their preformance (although I thinks it's rude not to watch the other bands).

2) It allows a reasonable crowd to build up in the bar prior to the first band playing. Most people don't like soundchecks.

3) During soundcheck we make some allowances for how the room will sound with a lot more people in it. Thus soundchecks are not a good indicator of how the actual gig will sound. Some people struggle to get their head round this part.

4) It encourages everyone to waste as little time as possible getting setup.

5) Lastly it dispenses with err... soundcheck critics.

We'll try it for a month a see fit like.

OK... GIVE ME YOUR WORST LOL!

[PaulDW]

Well Im curious about it... I would say that for many bands this won't really have much affect on them in real terms, so there shouldn't be much disagreement... Its always good to give new things a shot!

[GraemeC]

OOh!! dangerous....but good luck.

God I hate soundchecks.

G...

[soundian]

Originally Posted by Flash@TMB

OK *straps in and braces self* we're going to try something a little controversial... *gulp*... we suspect that soundchecks are mostly a waste of everyone's time,

Most are but you never know which ones they'll be.

[Bob Double Jack]

Why not do a four hour soundcheck for the hell of it anyway?

[Liquid Mice]

Originally Posted by GraemeC

God thats weird.....are you psychic? I saw Deep Purple on 14th October 1970 at the Music Hall....it was the night of my 15th birthday.

My bro has got some 35mm negatives of that gig.

I'll see if he can scan em in and upload to gallery.

[The Ghost Of Fudge]

what make of drumkit is it?

[Flash@TMB]

Originally Posted by The Ghost Of Fudge

what make of drumkit is it?

It's a hybrid. The drums are Premier maple wood. The stands are all Pearl. Can't remember the makes of the double kick pedal and the hi-hat stand off hand but I 'think' the pedal is a Big Foot, and the hat stand is an Iron Cobra... or something. The 2 crash cymbals are Zildjen, the ride is a Sabian AAX, and the hats are Sabian. Don't know the make of stool but it's big and comfy. We recently ordered a 16" floor tom, so that would give us 10", 12", 14" and 16" toms, that can be used in any cofiguration / permutation. The kick drum is a 21". The snare is Premier maple wood also.

Appologies for any misspells.

[Bobby]

Originally Posted by Flash@TMB

the pedal is a Big Foot
.

its a big dog double pedal

The kick drum is a 21"

this is highly doubtful flash, bass drums come in 20" or 22" but not in between generally. 21" bass drum would be a custom job, and then it'd be pretty much impossible to get skins for it.
its a premier artist maple kit i think.