The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men, Gang aft agley

[Shaun]

Had a really good wedding a few weeks ago for an amazing couple. Now, where possible I always try do a site visit but I didn't manage on this occasion. I knew all about the parking etc as I've played in the hotel next door on many occasions but this was my first time in this particular venue. So called up and spoke to the manageress who was very helpful. Told me all about the access, space available, power points etc. All sounded great.

Now, I always use bins with my tops. Not for extra sound but I prefer the tone of the overall system when subs are used. I use my moving heads on the floor when they're not on podium trusses. And I use a Deckstand Booth.

So....I arrive to setup and find I'm setup behind a small partitioning wall. It's only about 2 feet tall but it's solid wood so means I can't place the bass bins at each side of my setup. I also thought it's pretty pointless bringing in the booth as it's going to be mostly hidden behind the wall. And as for the moving heads there's no option of putting them on the floor.

So, I had to improvise. I left the booth in the van and just used a venue table. To block of the flightcases from the dancefloor I just placed my moving heads directly in front of the flightcase on the partitioning wall (it was pretty deep wall so the heads sat on it nicely). Subs stayed in the van but it was more than adequate with just the tops. I still wasn't happy with the overall look compared to my usual setup, but I had to make do and improvise. It would have been nice to know that there was a wall directly in front of my setup area, but that'll serve me right for not doing a site visit. Sods Law I suppose.

Sorry, no pix. I may have a video of it so will post that if I find it.



So, question is....ever encountered a tricky setup area that knocked your plans sideways? How did you combat the problem? And did it all work out in the end?

[leelive]

Never had to face anything as bad as that yet. What venue is it? Sounds dreadful.

I played at the Victoria Park House Hotel, Edinburgh last year. The stage was too small to set-up on - they couldn't take it out of the room so I just up ended it and stuck it against the wall behind me!

Lee

[Shaun]

Never had to face anything as bad as that yet. What venue is it? Sounds dreadful.

I played at the Victoria Park House Hotel, Edinburgh last year. The stage was too small to set-up on - they couldn't take it out of the room so I just up ended it and stuck it against the wall behind me!

Lee

The venue itself was actually a fantastic venue. Great acoustics, haze allowed, and very attentive staff. They even had a little balcony they allowed us to use to get a little video footage of people dancing below. It was just the little 2ft high wall directly in front of the setup area that was the problem...lol. I'm possibly making it sound worse than it was but it just threw me off balance when I went in and saw the complications it had for my usual setup.

The venue was Howies Restaurant, directly next door to The Apex Hotel in Edinburgh.

[Mark Wild]

I'm there next week, yay ! lol

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Ive had stages that were too small to swing a cat on, and one venue 9a pub) cant take the pool table out of the room they set you up in...theres room for 1 tripod and about 6 dancers...so the gear and speakers have to go on the pool table (which gets a board over it) :eek:

[Shaun]

I'm there next week, yay ! lol

Well at least you know what to expect. LOL. I've found some footage...just uploading it now. I'll pop it in the gallery once finished.


Ive had stages that were too small to swing a cat on, and one venue 9a pub) cant take the pool table out of the room they set you up in...theres room for 1 tripod and about 6 dancers...so the gear and speakers have to go on the pool table (which gets a board over it) :eek:

I've had to do 'on a pool table' setup before too. Madness..lol.

[Shaun]

Sorry, no pix. I may have a video of it so will post that if I find it.



So, question is....ever encountered a tricky setup area that knocked your plans sideways? How did you combat the problem? And did it all work out in the end?


I've found some footage...just uploading it now. I'll pop it in the gallery once finished.





Clip added to the gallery for the benefit of Mark. :d

>>> http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?p=552018#post552018

[Gareth]

I've had to do 'on a pool table' setup before too. Madness..lol.

I beg your pardon :eek: :D :beer1:

Nice improvisation though (I mean the setup!)

[leelive]

The venue itself was actually a fantastic venue. Great acoustics, haze allowed, and very attentive staff. They even had a little balcony they allowed us to use to get a little video footage of people dancing below. It was just the little 2ft high wall directly in front of the setup area that was the problem...lol. I'm possibly making it sound worse than it was but it just threw me off balance when I went in and saw the complications it had for my usual setup.

The venue was Howies Restaurant, directly next door to The Apex Hotel in Edinburgh.

Been there loads of time. I have never gone in to the front alcove. I set up further back so was nearer the window and that way managed to set-up my entire rig (minus bass bins).

Lee

[Shaun]

I beg your pardon :eek: :D :beer1:


:eek: Get yer mind oot 'o' the gutter. :d



Been there loads of time. I have never gone in to the front alcove. I set up further back so was nearer the window and that way managed to set-up my entire rig (minus bass bins).

Lee

And they moved all the tables for you? Sounds like preferential treatment for the native Edinburghians :d (is that even a word?)

[DJ Tony McQue]

I am in there in a few weeks again. I used my sub last time as it is a big old room, the bottom end did bounce back at me off the wall but it sounded good from the bar end of the room. They don't give you much time to setup at all which makes things difficult.

[djdave01]

we did a gig in a very small pub a few years back. there was no specific place for a disco to setup and the room was completly filled with tables & chairs. there wasnt even a space for people to dance.

i had the laptop & mixer setup on a small round table, with two speakers positioned either side of me on the floor between tables. two small lights were placed on a shelf on the wall

i had to put up with people squeezing past me all night to get to the toilets.

that venue has a decent sized hall upstairs, but ive blacklisted the small room.