P.A. AND SOUND PRODUCTION

Your band is your best resource for its sound needs and how to plan successfully. Many bands provide their own sound system (P.A.), which is usually contracted solely for their own exclusive use. If you have multiple entertainers planned for your event, communicate these plans to your entertainers at the time of booking. If you hire a band that provides a P.A.system, be aware that they are not obligated to provide the use of the P.A. to any other performers.

​

If you’ve hired a professional DJ, make sure they are contracted to provide their own sound system, which should be standard procedure. They have a different show-day schedule than the band does, so they should be prepared to handle their own technical needs. Don’t assume the DJ can simply “plug in” to the band’s sound system.

The quality of the sound (and lighting) are essential to the experience your guests will have at an event. For example, poor sound quality can be an irritant to your guests, even at low volume. Good sound quality is all about planning and attention to detail.

• When choosing a venue, consider “music friendly” elements that minimize echo, such as wood floors or ceilings, rugs and carpeted surfaces, and sound-absorbing elements like drapery or cushioned furnishings.

• Locate the stage where it’s accessible to the power supply in the room. Make sure the power source is not shared by any other equipment — a caterer plugging into the same power circuit, for example, will cause overload and shut down the power mid-performance.

• Don’t place any fabric coverings or decorations on any PA components. These units have a safety feature that shuts them off automatically when they overheat.

​

SHARING EQUIPMENT

Sometimes clients will ask if it’s possible to share musical equipment with other bands. While it seems this would save time, money and hassle, here’s why we generally say no to this request. We offer some solutions that create a better outcome for your event.

​

The Cost of Doing Business 

The typical musician has a small Fiat’s worth of expenses in instruments and equipment. The guitar player’s gear is highly customized for their style of play, including rare or vintage gear. Same with the keyboard player, whose programmed instrument includes a laptop, pricey keyboard-sampler software, and years of specific programming that could be accidentally lost with one wrong key press. Drums are custom-tuned for the drummer’s playing style. The drums, skins, samplers, cymbals, and hardware take a beating but are costly and sometimes delicate.

Imagine someone asking you to share your Fiat with another driver. They change all your customized control settings: navigation pre-sets, radio station pre-sets, seat adjustments, and hands-free commands. When they’re finished, you won’t have time to reset everything, and nothing will feel quite right even after trying. If something went wrong while they drove it, you’d be saddled with the repair costs.

​

Solutions

If you’re planning to have multiple entertainers, hire a sound company. Multiple bands multiply the manpower, time, and equipment required to do the job. Sound companies specialize in these issues, and they can also help with scheduling and gear rentals. Ask your band to recommend a reputable local provider who specializes in private parties. Here are some typical solutions for an event with multiple bands.

​

1. Plan for two stages and P.A. systems, at opposite ends of the room, so bands can alternate sets without any break in the music. This is a good plan for larger events, when a client wants the music to be continuous, or wants to provide different styles of music for all musical tastes.

​

2. Plan a single stage and P.A. system, with rented backline. In this case, musicians bring their own instruments, but they share rented amplifiers, keyboards and drum kits, which stay in place and minimize the turnover time between performances. Ask the band for a gear list, and they will gladly provide the exact specifications of the rental gear they need.