bocean02

Hi Adam, it's for the local area.

As suggested I'm offering reduced rate PA hire and engineer for a couple of months. This is aimed at new and up and coming bands in need of a hand. Give me a shout and I'll let you know what I can offer.

Ashdale Hall Westhill. Medium sized Hall with a basic PA set up. I am offering PA hire and engineer at a discounted rate for the next month or so if that helps with any of your potential venues?

You can also email me at bandvan@live.co.uk

Hi everyone, It's been a year since I was on here asking for opinions from you all regarding my idea to start a Roadie/Sound Engineer business. Well, better late than never! I am now at the beginning stages of putting my plans into action and within a week or two will be offering a full PA (4K Electro-voice), 16 channel desk (Mackie DL1608), separate mixer for drum mix where necessary, mics, cables, D.I. boxes and stands. This will expand in time I expect, maybe to include certain instruments and amplifiers but won't be investing unless I know there is a real demand. I have a large Transit van which will soon have seats in the rear to accommodate a 5 piece band and all the gear. As this is early days I will be offering the services at mates rates for a while to give you an intro to Band Van and how it could benefit you. Roadie, transport, sound engineer and equipment all rolled into one package, Band Van. Nice! Any queries send me a PM, any friendly comments are more than welcome. Cheers, speak to you soon Colin

Hi guys, I am at the beginning stages of creating a wee Roadie/Sound engineering service called 'Band Van', thought some of you may benefit from this especially when you're gigging outside Aberdeen. Within the next week or two will be offering full PA (4K Electro-Voice), 16 channel desk, separate mixer for drums where necessary, mics, cables, D.I. boxes and stands. This will expand in time I expect, maybe to include certain instruments and amplifiers but I won't be investing unless there is a real demand for it. I have a large Transit van which will have rear seats soon so it will accommodate a 5 piece band and all their gear. As these are early days I will be offering this service at mates rates to give you an intro to Band Van and how it could benefit your band. Give me a shout and see if I can help you out! Cheers Colin

If you've just started the band then you're gonna be aace! Bit of a cross between The Rapture and Longpigs, love the mad vocals but you could do with a better recording. I can help you out with a cheap or possibly free recording if you're keen? Good work, I'll look forward to the next track you offer!

I was speaking to a Collegue who suggested that I offer front of house; drums, amps, stacks, stands etc rather than back line. The idea of course being that it could help touring bands (especially from over seas )and local bands who cant transport big equipment or don't own the big gear. To be fair, if they hired me they would have a van to transport the big stuff They would be of a high standard and could be offered as a mobile service for as and when needed. What do you guys think of that idea?

Hi Milner, did you get my email?

Let me get back to you on that one, I haven't done any roadie work out of Aberdeen yet so this is where I need to compare prices to try and make it work for everyone. I take it you're not looking for an engineer? If you give me an email at thevangroup@live.co.uk and we can discuss prices. I don't want to start throwing rough estimates here until I know for certain. Cheers mate.

Thank you all for the useful info, I will be taking it all into account and will keep in touch. Please any addition comments are welcome. Colin

I agree, where do you think the best place to advertise for this would be? Maybe the village halls themselves??

Hey Moose, may I ask what you would consider 'reasonably priced van hire'? The problem with renting a van out to people is the shocking insurance premiums, they are steep enough for what I do now! The d.i.y scene doesn't pay the bills unfortunately but definately sounds like more fun Cheers for the feedback

I don't expect to make it overnight but am lucky enough to already have an established business which will keep my head above water while I work on this project. Obviously I would love to be able to do this for really cheap as I support the band and performance scene however, what I have learnt from running a business is, don't undercut yourself or it just won't work. Business is business unfortunately. What service that I have suggested might you be interested in? And how much would you be prepared to pay? I will be getting some cost estimates which I can let you know of soon.

Thanks a lot Adam, I am aware of the local venue set up so assumed that there wouldn't be a need for an engineer or gear there but hopefully I could continue the roadie business that way. I expect that if this service was to work it would be beneficial to those who perform all over, not neccesarily in purpose built venues but schools, community halls and pubs etc. Maybe more suitable in the Shire. I will look further into the cost of Splitter Scotland but as far as I am aware so far, it's over 100 miles just to get the van from them. Thanks very much for your feedback

I hear you man, I'm gonna aim the service at people who grasp that you gotta pay your way

Hello, I run a local delivery business called The Van Group and am going to expand utilising my sound tech' skills however I was hoping I could get some real critique from the people who would potentially use this service. I have been doing roadie work with a few bands in Aberdeen for the past three years so am not new to that area of work but I have not been employed at the same time to provide sound engineering. I haven't found anyone else who provides a van equipped to transport a 5 piece band and their gear, load/unload/set up (or at least assist) and offer a sound engineer in the same package. I would also like to find out how many bands/artists might benefit from hiring the sound rig as well on top of this, Mixing desk, amps, loud speakers etc. The service would be local and national so think tour van if you will. So peeps, what could benefit you or people you know? What could I be missing out? What price would you expect to pay for such a service? Thank you for any friendly feedback offered Cheers, Colin