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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => LAB Lounge => Topic started by: James A. Griffin on April 14, 2014, 09:58:27 AM

Title: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: James A. Griffin on April 14, 2014, 09:58:27 AM
I know a lot of you are probably already doing this, but I think it's worth a mention for those who aren't.   

Get rid of your tripods and mount the speakers on the poles that are already there.  All it takes is a wall-mount speaker bracket and 2 clamps.  This clamp is a GT Mini-360.

Title: Re: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: g'bye, Dick Rees on April 14, 2014, 10:37:33 AM
Quote
All it takes is a wall-mount speaker bracket and 2 clamps.  This clamp is a GT Mini-360.

Plus permission from the tent rental company to attach to their poles.  There are definite liability issues.
Title: Re: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: Sean Hayes on April 14, 2014, 10:39:50 AM
Are you checking with the tent provider before doing this?

I am not saying that a small speaker like you have in the image is going to be an issue. I just want to make sure everyone here is at least double checking with the tent vendor before doing this.

I have flown many things in many different types of tents, but I ALWAYS find out who is providing the tent and give them a call to make sure I am not breaking the contract with their/my client or making the structure unsafe.

Sean
Title: Re: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: James A. Griffin on April 14, 2014, 10:44:20 AM
Are you checking with the tent provider before doing this?

I am not saying that a small speaker like you have in the image is going to be an issue. I just want to make sure everyone here is at least double checking with the tent vendor before doing this.

I have flown many things in many different types of tents, but I ALWAYS find out who is providing the tent and give them a call to make sure I am not breaking the contract with their/my client or making the structure unsafe.

Sean

Yes, I always check with tent company and it's never been an issue.  The weight on the overall tent structure is negligible.   The bracket and clamps are rated to hold loads in excess of any 12" speaker.   It's actually a safer presentation for everyone since there are no cables or tripods on the ground.
Title: Re: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: Kevin Maxwell on April 14, 2014, 12:33:50 PM
Do those (on stage) mounting brackets have the holes in them already to use those Global truss clamps? Did you have to get longer screws to go thru those holes for the clamps?
Title: Re: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: James A. Griffin on April 14, 2014, 12:36:15 PM
Do those (on stage) mounting brackets have the holes in them already to use those Global truss clamps? Did you have to get longer screws to go thru those holes for the clamps?

Holes already there and yes, you'll need longer bolts.    The ones that come with the clamps are too short
Title: Re: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: Kevin Maxwell on April 14, 2014, 02:09:37 PM
Holes already there and yes, you'll need longer bolts.    The ones that come with the clamps are too short

Thank you. Will have to give that a try. We already have the brackets I just couldn’t remember if they had the holes. We use them with the EV ZX1 mostly. We have been using pipe clamps, the Global truss pieces look real nice for this.
Title: Re: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: Keith Broughton on April 14, 2014, 02:50:03 PM
I like the idea...very tidy  :)
Is the speaker fastened to the spigot?
I have seen tents "jump" in sudden bad weather wind conditions!
Title: Re: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: Spenser Hamilton on April 14, 2014, 03:11:24 PM
I have seen tents "jump" in sudden bad weather wind conditions!

That is my concern, if that tent looses it's integrity and starts flopping around, you've added a few extra projectiles into the mix.

I've witnessed a large tent collapse during a storm (with all my gear and a few hundred people inside), all I could do was throw the main breaker feeding the PA and then try to help some of the older attendees get out. Not a good situation at all.
Title: Re: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: Mark Oakley on April 14, 2014, 06:49:00 PM
A few problems I can see here is:

1) You're limited on speaker placement to the location of the poles. What if I need to locate the speaker 2 ft. left or right of the poles?

2) Most of the shows I've done in tents involve mixing bands. Placing the speakers on tent poles behind the band doesn't interest me (although wedding planners would love it!).

-Mark
Title: Re: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: James A. Griffin on April 14, 2014, 07:00:37 PM
A few problems I can see here is:

1) You're limited on speaker placement to the location of the poles. What if I need to locate the speaker 2 ft. left or right of the poles?

2) Most of the shows I've done in tents involve mixing bands. Placing the speakers on tent poles behind the band doesn't interest me (although wedding planners would love it!).

-Mark

Of course the mounting method & speaker placement has to conform to the needs of your event.
Title: Re: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: Stu McDoniel on April 14, 2014, 07:22:51 PM
I know a lot of you are probably already doing this, but I think it's worth a mention for those who aren't.   

Get rid of your tripods and mount the speakers on the poles that are already there.  All it takes is a wall-mount speaker bracket and 2 clamps.  This clamp is a GT Mini-360.
Its raining with wind and I need to move my loudspeakers further into the tent....ooops wait I cant because they are strapped to the tent poles.   Looks OK but I prefer to be able to grab my speaker on a stick and move real fast if need be.
Title: Re: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: James A. Griffin on April 14, 2014, 07:27:24 PM
Its raining with wind and I need to move my loudspeakers further into the tent....ooops wait I cant because they are strapped to the tent poles.   Looks OK but I prefer to be able to grab my speaker on a stick and move real fast if need be.


Geezzz.. I'm not saying this is for every gig. It's an OPTION that's worked for me on some gigs, but is not right for all.      as with any information  YMMV
Title: Re: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: Milt Hathaway on April 14, 2014, 07:31:54 PM

Geezzz.. I'm not saying this is for every gig. It's an OPTION that's worked for me on some gigs, but is not right for all.      as with any information  YMMV

I think it's a fine option, and it's the kind of option that will get you better-paying higher-class gigs.
Title: Re: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: Stu McDoniel on April 14, 2014, 08:50:07 PM

Geezzz.. I'm not saying this is for every gig. It's an OPTION that's worked for me on some gigs, but is not right for all.      as with any information  YMMV
Im sorry it came across negative.  It can work fine for the right
setup and thanks for sharing that idea for everyone James.
Title: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: Conrad Muzoora on April 15, 2014, 12:52:21 AM
Wish that was able to help me at this gig. 30 one hundred seat tents with slanting poles phew! (http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/15/qesy2eha.jpg)(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/15/u4ytu8u9.jpg)(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/15/7y8abama.jpg)(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/15/ususyhap.jpg)


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Title: Re: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: jason misterka on April 15, 2014, 07:04:04 PM
Its raining with wind and I need to move my loudspeakers further into the tent....ooops wait I cant because they are strapped to the tent poles.   Looks OK but I prefer to be able to grab my speaker on a stick and move real fast if need be.

Pop on your UnderCover rain bags?  They have white ones too for that corpy look...

Jason
Title: Re: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: Michael A. Yates on April 15, 2014, 11:45:58 PM
Are you using 2" global trust clamps?


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Title: Re: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: Brian Jones on April 16, 2014, 09:53:17 AM
Thanks for posting this. I like the idea a lot. A couple of points...

1) I would prefer using a bracket that connects via rigging points like the M10s on my K10s. This would be to avoid the unlikely, but possible situation where the tent bounces around causing the speaker to bounce off the pole mounting (also a possibility with tripods, but probably closer to the ground) and instead provide a mount that doesn't rely on gravity.

2) If you're able to suggest layout, having a tent with a stage under it at one end, and the audience in the middle and at the other end, running longways, you can ensure the stage is behind the speakers. In the OP picture, the seats would orient facing one end instead of one side. Obviously not an option here since half the audience is not under the tent. However, using that pic, there are 6 poles per side. The speakers could be mounted in the #2 spot and the stage between #1 and #2, audience between #2 and #6.
Title: Re: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: Josh Millward on April 16, 2014, 01:10:17 PM
I think it's a fine option, and it's the kind of option that will get you better-paying higher-class gigs.
Absolutely. This is the kind of option you should have available, especially for those delay loudspeakers that are towards the back of the tent.

Getting the big ugly tripod stands out of the way and getting your loudspeakers up in the air will definitely make you look better to your customers. The only thing I'd change would be to probably add a strap on the back side from the handle on top of the loudspeaker to the bracket so the loudspeaker can not "jump" off the mount. Otherwise, this is an ideal solution to the delay loudspeaker situation in a tent.
Title: Re: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: jasonfinnigan on April 17, 2014, 11:03:28 AM
Maybe it's just me, but telling people to fly on hardware they don't know the weight capacity of as well as just jimmy rigging clamps on poles seems like asking for trouble. (READ: Liability)
Title: Re: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: James A. Griffin on April 17, 2014, 11:06:12 AM
Are you using 2" global trust clamps?


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Yes the GT Mini-360 is their smaller 2" clamp, rated at 225 #.   
Title: Re: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: James A. Griffin on April 17, 2014, 11:08:38 AM
Maybe it's just me, but telling people to fly on hardware they don't know the weight capacity of as well as just jimmy rigging clamps on poles seems like asking for trouble. (READ: Liability)

No one is telling anyone to do anything.

FYI:   

Bracket rated for 100 lb load
Clamps rates for  225 lb each
EV ZLX 12p Speaker   35 lb.
Title: Re: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: jasonfinnigan on April 17, 2014, 11:12:00 AM
No one is telling anyone to do anything.

FYI:   

Bracket rated for 100 lb load
Clamps rates for  225 lb each
EV ZLX 12p Speaker   35 lb.

Yes, but the pole is holding it all so you would need to know the weight limit. This all looks like an insurance claim waiting to happen to me.
Title: Re: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: James A. Griffin on April 17, 2014, 11:13:59 AM

1) I would prefer using a bracket that connects via rigging points like the M10s on my K10s. This would be to avoid the unlikely, but possible situation where the tent bounces around causing the speaker to bounce off the pole mounting (also a possibility with tripods, but probably closer to the ground) and instead provide a mount that doesn't rely on gravity.

Absolutely... anything additional you can do to secure your specific speaker is a bonus.  The other thing you can do with the K series is to use their mounting bracket that bolts to the top and bottom of cabinet.. Then bolt the clamps to the K bracket and you're rock solid.

2) If you're able to suggest layout, having a tent with a stage under it at one end, and the audience in the middle and at the other end, running longways, you can ensure the stage is behind the speakers. In the OP picture, the seats would orient facing one end instead of one side. Obviously not an option here since half the audience is not under the tent. However, using that pic, there are 6 poles per side. The speakers could be mounted in the #2 spot and the stage between #1 and #2, audience between #2 and #6.

The client's wishes as to orientation can limit the practicality of this.    And in most cases, the tent is up before we get there.
Title: Re: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: James A. Griffin on April 17, 2014, 11:16:44 AM
Yes, but the pole is holding it all so you would need to know the weight limit. This all looks like an insurance claim waiting to happen to me.

Adding 35 pounds to one of 14 2" poles supporting a structure is a negligible difference.
Title: Re: Clean up your tent shows....
Post by: Michael A. Yates on April 17, 2014, 06:05:18 PM

Yes the GT Mini-360 is their smaller 2" clamp, rated at 225 #.

Awesome will give this a try!


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