The theme that am learning from you is that being thoughtful, prepared and having a good attitude really pay off. Paul, thanks for your professional, ninja advice! ⚡
maybe bring your own cable tester as well. Surprisingly a lot of places don't have that and it can help you figure out if its actually the cable or not.
You wouldn't believe how handy the cable tester is. Especially the Behringer tester. If you look at my how to build a mic cable video I use the tester plugs to hold the cable connectors while I solder them. That same tester also tests for phantom power at the end of a mic cable which is a super quick and dirty way of testing a cable in place while patched just by turning the phantom power on for a mic channel.
Another couple must have items you absolutely must have with you are a couple sharpies and a roll of white electrical tape to label just about anything that will make you look like the pro you want to be. Also carry a roll of black electrical tape for then you run out of cable ties, many production companies use tape to tie off cables when they get coiled and for making quick cable looms
I have always carried a small tool kit with a soldering iron, flux and magnifier as well as a good cable tester. Even when I am playing drums for a band and not running the sound. Great advice! Also have been given a ton of cables that musicians just wanted to replace so I repair them at home and add them to my collection.
I've never thought to bring a soldering iron... Now I'm kicking myself, LOL! I make sure I have an inexpensive dB meter as well. I usually cart mine around during walkarounds and do quick spot checks. It has come in handy in helping the venue with police coming by with noise complaints. It's also helpful to know the noise ordinances of where you are gigging as well. The venue/bar will love you for dealing with that.
OK confession time. I suck VERY much at soldering. I never worked for a production company, I'm working freelance and get hired by artists 90% of the time. Never had to solder anything in all the years I've been doing this on site -- for me it means: I just bring more cables (and a cable tester like some other people here mentioned). And repair cables back home when nobody's watching :D If I don't bring any of my own gear (mixing board, mics, ...) I usually pack a bag with stuff that I just always can use during or before or after a show. 1. Leatherman knife. I don't think there has ever been a concert where this has not been used by me or a musician or member of the merch crew 2. Flashlight (full battery!) If you don't need it all night to check something behind an amp you will love it when you use it for the idiot check before you head home and find some item that belongs to you in that dark corner on stage or behind the FOH 3. FULL Batteries (AA,AAA,9V) - Musicians will love you for this and this has saved many a soundcheck/show 4. DI Box or 2 you never know 5. 2 SM58/SM57s .. for when the rider forgot to mention the extra vocalist or guitar player who's the big special guest for the night 6. Hearing protection. I protect my ears almost any time I'm not actively working behind the desk or walking the crowd. Ever set up mics with a inconsiderate drummer banging away at the snare and cymbals or a guitar player who's testing out his new rig or boost pedal? 7. Headphones + Adapter 8. Aux cable if I need to play some reference music to dial in the PA or if someone suddenly needs background music which I can play from my phone 9. Markers, Marking tape, blank paper 10. Phone charger, money, snacks, drinks, medicine against stuffy sinuses and headaches. P.S.: Personally I can't stand velcro, I know it's sorta the industry standard but I hate how it always gets caught somewhere and so on. I always use reusable cable ties for all my cables.
I love all your videos I've found so far. I'm pretty suprised by the idea of taking a soldering iron on the job though. Isn't it better to just have spares of the actual thing, and to repairs at home?
Amazon has spools of 100 cable ties for $10: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001E1Y5O6/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - I carry one in my gig bag at all times. Adding to the concept of being the hero: if you have it in your budget, a Costco pack of 9 volts and one of AA batteries, keep a few in your gig pack.
The theme that am learning from you is that being thoughtful, prepared and having a good attitude really pay off. Paul, thanks for your professional, ninja advice! ⚡
maybe bring your own cable tester as well. Surprisingly a lot of places don't have that and it can help you figure out if its actually the cable or not.
You wouldn't believe how handy the cable tester is. Especially the Behringer tester. If you look at my how to build a mic cable video I use the tester plugs to hold the cable connectors while I solder them. That same tester also tests for phantom power at the end of a mic cable which is a super quick and dirty way of testing a cable in place while patched just by turning the phantom power on for a mic channel.
Another couple must have items you absolutely must have with you are a couple sharpies and a roll of white electrical tape to label just about anything that will make you look like the pro you want to be. Also carry a roll of black electrical tape for then you run out of cable ties, many production companies use tape to tie off cables when they get coiled and for making quick cable looms
I feel like there is going to be a lot of great tips in this comment section!
I get the big pack of Sharpies whenever I see the all-black one at Costco, that way I'm never disappointed when they disappear.
I have always carried a small tool kit with a soldering iron, flux and magnifier as well as a good cable tester. Even when I am playing drums for a band and not running the sound. Great advice! Also have been given a ton of cables that musicians just wanted to replace so I repair them at home and add them to my collection.
I've never thought to bring a soldering iron... Now I'm kicking myself, LOL!
I make sure I have an inexpensive dB meter as well. I usually cart mine around during walkarounds and do quick spot checks. It has come in handy in helping the venue with police coming by with noise complaints. It's also helpful to know the noise ordinances of where you are gigging as well. The venue/bar will love you for dealing with that.
OK confession time. I suck VERY much at soldering. I never worked for a production company, I'm working freelance and get hired by artists 90% of the time. Never had to solder anything in all the years I've been doing this on site -- for me it means: I just bring more cables (and a cable tester like some other people here mentioned). And repair cables back home when nobody's watching :D
If I don't bring any of my own gear (mixing board, mics, ...) I usually pack a bag with stuff that I just always can use during or before or after a show.
1. Leatherman knife. I don't think there has ever been a concert where this has not been used by me or a musician or member of the merch crew
2. Flashlight (full battery!) If you don't need it all night to check something behind an amp you will love it when you use it for the idiot check before you head home and find some item that belongs to you in that dark corner on stage or behind the FOH
3. FULL Batteries (AA,AAA,9V) - Musicians will love you for this and this has saved many a soundcheck/show
4. DI Box or 2 you never know
5. 2 SM58/SM57s .. for when the rider forgot to mention the extra vocalist or guitar player who's the big special guest for the night
6. Hearing protection. I protect my ears almost any time I'm not actively working behind the desk or walking the crowd. Ever set up mics with a inconsiderate drummer banging away at the snare and cymbals or a guitar player who's testing out his new rig or boost pedal?
7. Headphones + Adapter
8. Aux cable if I need to play some reference music to dial in the PA or if someone suddenly needs background music which I can play from my phone
9. Markers, Marking tape, blank paper
10. Phone charger, money, snacks, drinks, medicine against stuffy sinuses and headaches.
P.S.: Personally I can't stand velcro, I know it's sorta the industry standard but I hate how it always gets caught somewhere and so on. I always use reusable cable ties for all my cables.
Nice see you back! Flashlight, and specifically a Headlamp, is one of my must have items. Also, for old fucks my age, a pair of reading glasses.
I love all your videos I've found so far. I'm pretty suprised by the idea of taking a soldering iron on the job though. Isn't it better to just have spares of the actual thing, and to repairs at home?
An inexpensive multimeter can also save the day. The meter and the soldering iron make a great team
Most important thing for me is a torch
Amazon has spools of 100 cable ties for $10: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001E1Y5O6/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - I carry one in my gig bag at all times.
Adding to the concept of being the hero: if you have it in your budget, a Costco pack of 9 volts and one of AA batteries, keep a few in your gig pack.