Quick setup - time-saving tips?

[BeerFunk]

This is something I've been meaning to look at recently, particularly at weddings when the room is being turned around and you're under pressure to set up sharply.

Now, I know you can refer to your terms and conditions quoting the time required to set up, but let's be realistic here. The venue staff (and usually the guests) expect a quick-ish setup.

What do you do in these situations? I tried setting things up in part in a separate room, but to be honest, that doesn't save an awful lot of time. For example, moving speakers already placed onto tripod stands is a lot slower than whisking them in and setting them up on site.

The multi-op company I work for sometimes don't use lighting stands at all, and place all lighting on the floor or on the table.

Of course, it is advisable to use as much equipment which is pre-wired as possible. Any other tips for a quick setup? :confused:

[Shaun]

This is always something I discuss with the bride, letting her know that it's a common occurrence for weddings and in particular the meal to over-run. And that I'll require an hour for load in and setup from the time the venue allows me access. Varely rarely does the setup take an hour but it gives me plenty of leeway to account for any issues. The last thing I want to be doing is rushing around like an eejit sweating all over the place - I want to feel comfortable. So I just setup at my usual pace regardless of whether the venue (or guests) thinks I'm taking too long or not. As long as my client knows the situation that's all that matters. What I do though is ensure the sound is setup first, so I can play some background music for the guests to enjoy whilst I complete the rest of the setup.

That said, if it's a nice day I can do a partial setup outside (or in an adjoining room).

Subs wired to tops on the trolley (so it's just a case of wheeling into place and lifting off the trolley)
Powerbar setup and cables attached and velcro'd in place (then just carry into place in the venue)
Moving heads out of the flight case and placed onto a trolley (ready to wheel into place)
DSB stand assembled and serge cloth on.
Main flightcase top lid off and cables in place ready to hook up.

Doing all that can save a lot of time, especially if i'm pretty close to where I'll be setting up.

[DazzyD]

My three priorities when setting up are safety, safety and safety. I refuse to rush or cut corners as that's when safety becomes compromised and I wouldn't start the show unless I was 100% happy that everything is in order. Some may say I'm overcautious but it's not just my wellbeing that's at risk - it's all of the guests and staff in the venue. And my practises are proving to be so far so good! The only accident I've had in the last seven or eight years involved a "fight" between me and a speaker stand (not mine incidentally!) where I slipped and knocked a bit of skin of my thumb knuckle. A bit blood but if that's as bad as my safety record gets then can live with that!


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The multi-op company I work for sometimes don't use lighting stands at all, and place all lighting on the floor or on the table.

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Lighting on the floor is one of my major pet hates as it's a trip hazard. One of the multi-ops I work for occasionally does this all the time and I end up trying to get them back as close to the deck stand as I possibly can - not ideal.

For me, the quickest tips are everything flightcased and wired and lights fixed to the bars and prewired. Oh, and if you use a laptop, put it in sleep mode before you set off as it wakes much faster than a cold boot!

[BeerFunk]

Some good tips there guys, thanks!

I think I've got things down to a pretty swift setup time, but there are areas that could be improved on. I find it's the cabling, in terms of keeping it neat, which slows things down a bit.

As much as I like them, the Equinox screens take a bit of time to set up so they look nice and neat - flush, even lighting etc. I'm considering dropping them where a quick setup is required - or maybe dropping them altogether and going with a black screen or cloth with a wash effect on the floor.

[yourdj]

Something we need to be aware of as i hear from lots of venue staff of an hour or more set up time for just a standard rig.

I would say - travel as light as you can without loosing show quality or look.




For me, the quickest tips are everything flightcased and wired and lights fixed to the bars and prewired.

Definitely. Cut out the fiddily stuff as that will often be the things that goes wrong. Then its just a matter of putting it all together plugging in a few cables and bobs your uncle. The booth also means that I do not have to tidy it up as much as an open set up.

I have all my lighting already set up in a big case. that save a lot of time - wireless DMX too so it can be thrown out the way.
The battery uplighters also save tons of time. Wireless DMX too. Everything is light - like the speaker stands etc.

The rest if the kit is pretty good too as its active sub with passive satellite outs. All the power, mixers, DMX controller, mic sender are all prewired in a small case. The only power is one plug for the whole set up.

One trip however is the main time saver (no stairs). I have watched lots of DJ's in and out for lots of items wasting valuable time.

160401604116042

[DJIanScott]

I agree with Dazzy D here....safety is an important aspect.....and so is your reputation. We've been asked many times by staff and guests alike to set up in 'twenty minutes' but we give them all the same stock answer - "We do not compromise our presentation or service for the sake of your convenience and being ready twenty minutes earlier. It's unheard of that people will flock to the dancefloor the moment we turn the gear on at 7pm, so what's the hurry?"

And effect lighting on the floor? That should be reserved for aeroplane gangways and posh garden decking.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Most of the time I can set up pretty quickly anyway.
The goalposts for the ultimax are pre-wired so they slot in place like a jigsaw.
I will sometimes sort the speaker stands out beforehand too so all I need to do is put the speakers on them and plug them in.
The only time it takes me longer than usual is if I am using subs too.
On my Terms & Conditions it states that I need 45 minutes to 1 hour to set up so customers should be aware of that beforehand.

[oligunner]

Get a roadie that way you can start tbe setup process as your roadie is still carrying things in.

But yes as the guests are not likely to just crash onto the dance floor straight away when pushed for time I always get the deckstand up first with mixers ect ect on all flightcased so just one plug and speakers up so as stated before at least got sound running then can work on lighting.

But if im pushed il always try explain the situation to the client.

[chrisj]

I did one recently where I did not use dmx at all. Overhead 1.5m gantry with a pair of Acrobats and a pair of Twister HP4's all working STL and linked in pairs. Medium size venue so Bose L1 and B2 was plenty. Star cloth on surround frame and a pair of ADJ Mega Tri uplighters set to STL and linked. Looked really good and surprised me at the comments about the lighting.
It took me 40 minutes to get in and set up and I didn't rush it either. Usually when wiring all lights with DMX it will take 15 - 20 minutes longer.