benjamin fisher wrote on Thu, 10 December 2009 01:12 |
-Yamaha MG166cx Mixer (wanting to upgrade to Yamaha MG24) |
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-(2) Yamaha BR15 Tops (wanting to upgrade to Yamaha SV215v's) |
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-(2) Yamaha SW118v Subs (wanting to add a SW218v or two) |
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-And almost all speaker,mic,instrument,patch,insert cables from Livewire (love em) |
benjamin fisher wrote on Thu, 10 December 2009 05:28 |
That soundcraft looks great, just a little more than I will be able to spend. |
Jeff Wheeler wrote on Thu, 10 December 2009 05:44 | ||
You can pretty much find them on eBay within your budget. A new MixWiz would also be affordable and still give you 2 mid-sweeps, though you will get fewer channels of course. I would suggest you shop the aftermarket before buying the Yamaha. Outboard FX are nice too, because they will stay with you for a long time even as you change consoles; and you can easily bring them with you to gigs where you have a house PA to use. I honestly would rather have a Behringer XL3200 and good FX than a Yamaha MG-series. Maybe that makes me an evil bastard, but my limited experience (which is about the same as yours) has so far made me think that useful channel strip EQ is the most important thing on a mixer at this level. |
Duncan McLennan wrote on Thu, 10 December 2009 07:26 |
Definitely. If you're a little flexible on brand and purchase timing, you can buy used touring level gear for nearly the same it costs to get new MI grade equipment. That's always what I've done. In fact I don't think I've ever bought a new piece of equipment aside from a few mics (even bought mostly used mics) and cables, etc. |
benjamin fisher wrote on Thu, 10 December 2009 02:12 |
Currently, heres the important pieces of my rig: -Yamaha MG166cx Mixer (wanting to upgrade to Yamaha MG24) -(2) Yamaha BR15 Tops (wanting to upgrade to Yamaha SV215v's) -(2) Yamaha BR15m Monitors -(2) Yamaha BR12m Monitors -(2) Yamaha SW118v Subs (wanting to add a SW218v or two) -(2) Crown XLS 802d Power Amps -(1) Crown XLS 202d Power Amp -(3) Shure SM58's -(1) Shure SM57 -(1) Shure PG58 -(1) Shure Beta 58a -(1) Sennheiser E602 (for kick, want to upgrade to beta 52) -(1) OSP 50' 16x8 Stage Snake -(1) DOD SR835 Crossover (upgrading to dbx DriveRack+) -(2) 2ch Fostex 3070's (OLD!) -(2) Furman Power Conditioners -(1) Behringer FBQ3102 for monitors(temporary til dbx, i hate behringer) -And almost all speaker,mic,instrument,patch,insert cables from Livewire (love em) |
benjamin fisher wrote on Thu, 10 December 2009 06:28 |
Subs - My plan with the 218 was to put on one side, and then just move my singles together on the other side. Those JBLs are $$$! |
benjamin fisher wrote on Thu, 10 December 2009 08:53 |
Sorry if I came off as wanting to continue $100-$150 bar gigs, dont take it the wrong way, but I dont. This is my only source of income, and that doesnt really cut it. Honestly if I wanted to do that, my rig now is MORE than acceptable. |
benjamin fisher wrote on Fri, 11 December 2009 10:02 |
I think right now my biggest concern is getting proper experience, so that I am able to do whatever it is I need. |
benjamin fisher wrote on Fri, 11 December 2009 11:02 |
I think what you are basically saying is go to work for someone else, correct? What if I want to be the person others want to work for (I do)? I dont want to keep working in bars, thats for sure. I see many bigger production companies, and many kind of in the middle. Thats where I want to be. I think right now my biggest concern is getting proper experience, so that I am able to do whatever it is I need. I see these indie-level bands touring all over the country. Dont most of them have a dedicated sound person that travels with them? Isnt there money in that? |
Dick Rees wrote on Fri, 11 December 2009 11:10 | ||
Not enough. Another analogy. Say you want to drive a big rig over the road. You train on a big rig, not on a bicycle. As has often been said here to folks wanting (for who knows what reason) to enter the glamorous world of SR, find an outfit that does what you want to do and go to work for them doing whatever they need done. You'll learn the business from the ground up including a lot of things you had no idea you'd need to know and after an "apprentice" period, you may get to do what you want to do and make a living. In the mean time, you're "playing with other peoples money" so to speak. |
benjamin fisher wrote on Fri, 11 December 2009 11:11 | ||||
Alright, point taken. |
benjamin fisher wrote on Fri, 11 December 2009 12:10 |
Ok, So how do you suggest I get to the point where I am charging what my equipment and I are worth? |
Jeff Wheeler wrote on Fri, 11 December 2009 12:39 | ||
I do several things that allow me to use my equipment. DJ, karaoke host, and bar-band sound. I know bands and sound guys that are lucky to be booked 2 times a month right now, while that would be a crappy week for me, because I have the flexibility to do several things. I bet everyone on the forum sneers at me when I post something related to karaoke or DJing, but it's easy and it pays. |
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The issue with serving bands is that they are spending their own money. There is tremendous pressure to keep contracted services as inexpensive as possible. The best profits exist in serving markets where your fee is paid with "someone else's money." |
RYAN LOUDMUSIC JENKINS wrote on Sat, 12 December 2009 00:21 |
Sorry to break the news to you but the low end St market here in Phoenix sucks right now. I do not typically work directly for bands unless they want to pay my regular fees. I turn down a lot of work because the bands here are too cheap. Best thing I can recommend is to network with others. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the market out here. Ryan |
benjamin fisher wrote on Sat, 12 December 2009 01:42 | ||
What are the bands willing to pay? What are you charging if you dont mind me asking? I will be in contact Thanks guys |
RYAN LOUDMUSIC JENKINS wrote on Sat, 12 December 2009 06:30 | ||||
PM me your number and I give you a call on my dime. You may not hear from me for a couple days, I have the Pig Flu and it sucks real bad! I prefer not to mention my exact prices in a public forum but let's just say that my minimum charge is about 5 times what a band will pay out here + tax. Keep in mind that in arizona you need to collect and pay sales tax to equipment rentals to the state and cities. |
benjamin fisher wrote on Sat, 12 December 2009 08:00 |
Thanks Bob. I just dont see me getting more or less gigs due to the fact of the equipment I currently have. I'm sure it could limit me, but at the same time, I think there is a medium. I think there are better gigs to get with the given equipment I have now. Maybe I am wrong, but I just cant afford to get more/better stuff until I can get in that medium... |
Bob Leonard wrote on Sat, 12 December 2009 07:06 | ||
All true Ben, but a some point you need to be offering services that others can not. Build your reputation and your rig a little at a time, not all at once. You'll be surprised at how quickly a few dollars set aside and invested wisely can help. |
benjamin fisher wrote on Sat, 12 December 2009 06:10 | ||||
I totally agree, and I think that is what I will end up doing. I'm going to ride it out with the stuff I have now, and as I've done from the beginning, add to it whenever possible. Thank you Bob |
benjamin fisher wrote on Sat, 12 December 2009 09:39 |
And just for the record, when I bought my tops, I had zero plans of getting anything more than 2 12" monitors.... |
Greg Cameron wrote on Sat, 12 December 2009 13:05 |
I remember when Evan & Tom started. Evan appeared to have copied my then very crappy website (now just crappy) down to the fonts, layout and colors. We started emailing back and forth, then chatting online. He's come a long way since then, almost 10 years ago and I'm so proud. *sniff*. Greg |
Greg Cameron wrote on Sun, 13 December 2009 18:31 |
You're right John, probably more like 5-6 years. He was in high school, very young and inspired. Reminded me a lot of myself at that age. Greg |
Charlie Zureki wrote on Sun, 13 December 2009 19:46 | ||
Yeah, when I was in High School.. and Like Evan...I craved a nice Low End! Hammer |
Greg Cameron wrote on Sun, 13 December 2009 19:31 |
You're right John, probably more like 5-6 years. He was in high school, very young and inspired. Reminded me a lot of myself at that age. |