Mike Christy wrote on Thu, 24 January 2008 04:56 |
We are in the service industry, that is foremost. It starts with being professional about all aspects and details of the task at hand. You can be a "pro" with a set of EONS and one mic, if thats what the gig calls for, or a full blown v-dosc system. It's all about implementation, performance and in the end, meeting/exceeding the customer's needs ( a bit of corporate speak there ) Its not all about the gear, its about relationships with people, and providing what is required. |
Mike Christy wrote on Thu, 24 January 2008 07:56 |
Some may say that a part timer like myself (ankle biter, weekend warrior, what-have-you) may not be pro, I don't have a warehouse, a diesel box truck, or an accountant, but for the limited business I do, I provide a professional product, high quality service. I know (not being egotistical) I am as good as or better than, and am competitive with "pro" providers. |
Matt Vivlamore wrote on Fri, 25 January 2008 04:37 |
the main operator is known as "Feedback Fred"... |
Dave Barker wrote on Fri, 25 January 2008 09:02 |
My question is that if you are looking for a "national" act to perform at this event it would seem to me that they would have there own BE and you could certainly mix openers and be the system tech. Most regionals I deal with bring there own engineer and if not, then the organization should be fine with you mixing if the national doesn't believe enough to bring along there own engineer. Most of the time for me they have there own BE and I end up on monitors or just teching the system. |
Matt Vivlamore wrote on Fri, 25 January 2008 10:35 |
I have turned away a couple gigs because I didn't have a system that can cover the 450 person room. The next week, the band called me and asked me if I could do a smaller show for them. I felt good. |
Jeff Babcock wrote on Fri, 25 January 2008 11:25 | ||
Matt, If you feel you have your chops together enough to do a larger show, why are you turning it down? If you are charging enough then you should be able to rent the extra gear required to pull it off. "Pros" do this all the time. Rather than buying a huge rig, buy a medium size one and when you need the huge one you simply rent the additonal boxes to complete the rig. It may cost a bit more to rent, but if the boxes in the big rig aren't working very often, it isn't necessarily cost effective to own them. You'll never get your foot in the door on larger gigs if you let your personal rig be the limitation. Rent or find a business partner to team up with on the bigger stuff. You've got to be willing to do that or you'll never get anywhere short of a miracle. Jeff |
Matt Vivlamore wrote on Fri, 25 January 2008 03:37 | ||
Mike you’re just like me... I do a have been sitting in this committee to help plan for a festival... They want a Pro Sound company; they consider me a hobbyist since I have a full time job. They also own a Dynacord Cobra 4 system and its lead by the 3 Stooges; the main operator is known as "Feedback Fred"... They want to bring in a "national act" to play at this festival and they are looking for donations for a pro sound company to run the sound. I told them give me that stage and the Dynacord system and you'll have your professional set-up for the national act. I think I might be losing this battle. So far this sign up for the festival of local bands, there been more request for me to run sound for them. I've only been going strong in my area for a little over a year, but I've been in sound realm since 2002 when I picked up a college job as a stage hand. It also helps that I work with a bar for a year on no budget for sound bringing in national touring acts. editted: college seemed to make me spell bad. |
Tim McCulloch wrote on Fri, 25 January 2008 12:44 |
To your question about MI v. Pro... You've gotten some pretty good input. My take is, you're "professional" when fucking up gigs means your kids don't go to college or there's no food on your table, i.e. when your existence depends on your skills, gear, and attitude. Tim Mc |
Tim McCulloch wrote on Fri, 25 January 2008 12:44 |
My take is, you're "professional" when fucking up gigs means your kids don't go to college or there's no food on your table, i.e. when your existence depends on your skills, gear, and attitude. |
Tim McCulloch wrote on Fri, 25 January 2008 12:44 |
Matt- Part of the "problem" is that you're local. Remember, experts are from more than 50 miles away! What kind of "national act" are they trying to get? That will determine what kind of rig they need, if a mixerperson is traveling with them, etc. You might be better off demonstrating your professionalism as the stage manager if you can't shake Feedback Fred from the crew. To your question about MI v. Pro... You've gotten some pretty good input. My take is, you're "professional" when fucking up gigs means your kids don't go to college or there's no food on your table, i.e. when your existence depends on your skills, gear, and attitude. Have fun, good luck, and let us know how it all works out. Tim Mc |
Jeff Babcock wrote on Fri, 25 January 2008 11:25 | ||
Matt, If you feel you have your chops together enough to do a larger show, why are you turning it down? If you are charging enough then you should be able to rent the extra gear required to pull it off. "Pros" do this all the time. Rather than buying a huge rig, buy a medium size one and when you need the huge one you simply rent the additonal boxes to complete the rig. It may cost a bit more to rent, but if the boxes in the big rig aren't working very often, it isn't necessarily cost effective to own them. Sorry to be harsh on you, but your website is your worst enemy. It says "we don't have the latest and greatest gear out there from Midas, EAW, BSS or Klark" and "We offer a PA system for up to 300 people". Why say that? If a client needs better gear, rent it. Don't place a limitation on your service (as long as it's something you can handle). If someone goes to your website they assume based on what you are saying that you're an ankle-biter and they move on to somebody else. If a client is willing to pay me to bring in a D&B rig and an H3000, guess what happens.... A phone call is made and we bring it in... if the client will pay and you can rent it and use it successfully, then you're showing that you are more of a "pro", not to mention the good experience you will gain. Just don't get too overzealous and end up over your head. You'll never get your foot in the door on larger gigs if you let your personal rig be the limitation. Rent or find a business partner to team up with on the bigger stuff. You've got to be willing to do that or you'll never get anywhere short of a miracle. Jeff |
Quote: |
I can't really shake Fred of the festival, he is the mastermind behind the festival. Last year was the 1st in 8 years he didn't mix a stage. |
Mark Walter wrote on Thu, 24 January 2008 14:41 |
When it stops being fun..... I feel that way about the music business in general. A want to be an amature for ever. |
RYAN LOUDMUSIC JENKINS wrote on Fri, 25 January 2008 19:42 |
...... ...Maybe when you are able to do multiple shows in a day, that is when you have made the jump to the next level.... Ryan |