jr2423 @ Thu Jan 14, 2010 3:30 pm wrote:
Does this seem feasible to anyone? If so, do you have any connection guidance other than what I’ve already mentioned?
Yes, you should really consider renting / borrowing a mixer with enough inputs for the entire band. The reason is stage monitors.
Let's say the band has 12 inputs (pretty typical 4-piece group with a mid-size drum kit and no overheads) and they ask for 2 monitor mixes, one for the drummer and other backup singers, and a dedicated mix for the lead singer.
If you have two 8 channel mixers, you can probably put all the drums and guitars on one mixer, then all the vocals on another, but you also have to use up 4 channels on the "main mixer" to get the signals from the 2 monitor mixes, and left/right stereo, coming from the "sub-mixer." So you thought you had 16 inputs, when really you have been reduced to 16 inputs minus 4 bus links between the consoles, for 12 useful inputs.
Now if you add more monitor mixes, an outboard FX device, or anything like that, you can see how it quickly becomes smart to just rent a bigger one.
Another thing is, live sound is very different from karaoke. You might ask your friend's band if they know another musician who has live sound experience and can help you during the gig if you need it.
There are many more microphones, and the stage volume is not in your control as it is with karaoke; so it can be much more challenging to manage feedback. Also, if the musicians are asking for adjustments to their monitors, it takes some time to learn how to give everyone what they need (as a group) rather than one guy what he wants, while causing him to over-power everyone else in the monitors, and then the other guys can't hear themselves sing, or they turn their guitars up louder, etc. Mixing monitors for a band can be tougher than mixing for the PA, especially if you have never done it before.
I have been working with a novice "sound engineer" for a few months with my live gigs. He is a good sound guy and very good at talking with the musicians, and he gets a good PA mix quickly, and is great with FX.
However, he sucks at monitors. He used to trash one mix when he really meant to adjust a different one, cause feedback, and in general, did not understand what the musicians would need, so they would have to spend 5 minutes telling him "more this" "less that" before they could play a song.
The reason why is he never worked jobs where he really had more than 1 monitor mix to deal with, so he became really good at mixing for the audience, but he never learned how to do monitors.
It took about 10 gigs with understanding musicians to work most of these things out. Now his main issue is he won't refuse to turn something up whenever they ask, so for example, last week we smoked a wedge because he let the musicians bully him into running it way too hot, even though I warned him it was going to blow. They didn't need that much volume, they needed to be told "it's as loud as it's going to get, so get a drummer that knows how to control his stage volume." FYI they did have a very good drummer who can control his volume, he just didn't care because no one forced him to.
So as you can see, there is a LOT more going on at a live band gig, than with karaoke. It is very fun and I encourage you to do it, but don't be afraid to ask for help. Also, don't be afraid to tell the band you need them to rent a piece of equipment you don't own, etc.
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