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Following on from last month's column where we looked at pre-production from Venue-management's point of view, this week we'll look at the info we need to know about the venue itself. The first thing we need to find out about a venue is whether it has an in-house PA. Don't laugh; I know of more than one band / engineer who have booked a system and crew only to arrive at the gig to find out that the venue has it's own system installed and ready to go!! The hassle about who pays what can cause some real probs. The band only wants to pay for the crew while the owner of the rig will rightly argue that they have lost $$$ on the hire of the rig and will push for a cancellation fee. Once we have established that yes, we do need a PA; the next thing to find out is whether there are any restrictions on where we can locate our gear. Some venues have their fire escapes near the stage so there is no hope of putting the speaker stacks where access will be restricted, no matter how hard it will be to tune the room to get a great sound. We can often make a fairly convincing case with our other bits of gear but when it comes to fire regulations, safety must always be the most important consideration. Some of the better venues have a large pipe or channel with a pulley and / or rope system built-in, running under the floor from the stage to the FOH position. This is to run the multicore below the floor and not be a tripping threat to the punters. (It also helps to protect it from pissed punters!!) Find out whether the venue has this system before running out and gaffing down the multicore. You will be told to 'rip it up and put it under' if the venue has it! Other venues have hooks running down the side walls above head height so the multi is 'flown' above the audience. Either way it is best to check with the venue before picking up the trusty gaff! Depending on the knowledge or experience of the venue staff, some places will try to get you to set up the mixing desk in a corner or just generally 'out of the way.' What you have to diplomatically explain is that if you are not mixing from a position where the sound is similar to what the majority of the punters hear, you will struggle to pull a great sound, and the hordes will not be impressed! For example, if the manager wants you to set up the desk in the far corner underneath an overhang, you will have probs. This is because in that spot the corner will increase the bass response and the overhang will give a false impression of reverb. To compensate for what the soundie is hearing from this mixing position, they'll pull out some bass and reduce the reverb send. It will be great sound for those standing behind the mixing desk, but everywhere else in the room the sound will be light on bass with a dry sound. (The 'bass hungry' punters will not be happy!!) If your PA is getting up there power-wise, you'll need to know if the venue has 3-phase power and 'splitter boxes' - from the 3-phase connection to common 240 volt power points (Technically, GPOs or General Power Outlets.) Finally, more and more venues are having noise restriction hassles. (Remember the probs that new residents have caused in the Valley over the last few years!!) To try to control PA levels they often install noise detector circuits which cut the power to the system when the sound exceeds a set point. Where these are installed, the venue will direct you to a GPO that must be used to power the rig. Like it or not! To finish up, when we set up in a new venue, a simple phone call before the gig is all we need to find out essential info. It'll help to get management on-side and make our life easier!
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