How do you communicate during live shows?

  • Thread starter Thread starter JasonBird
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JasonBird

Average Member
hey there,
I've been commisioned to run sound during performances for my friends band....we bought a 16 channel 100' snake. it has four returns for the stage monitors. I'm wondering what is the method that you comunicate with the band members when you're far away? Walkie talkie? is there any function on the mixr for that? I have an older Mackie CFX 16 .
Jus wondering what the method is.... Thanks in advance!

JasonBird
 
Well,
If the mixer does not have a talk back mic , and you dont need all channels for the band you can plug a mic into the last channel and feed the signal strictly into the monitors .
That does force the performers to talk to you via the stage mics. If you need to converse privately then walkie-talkies work. Or you can dedicate one of the aux sends to be your monitor (hook up a small powered monitor speaker) and have a dedicated mic on stage for someone to use to talk to you.

A few options anyway.
 
Talkback mic to the monitors. Pretty standard.
 
You must be new to live sound. It's your job, ney, your obligation to avoid communication with the band at all costs. Don't even make eye contact because they might signal you. Better yet, walk away from the board half way through the first song and don't return until they're done or you're too drunk to do anything anyway.

That is your duty. You are a live soundman.
 
TexRoadkill said:
You must be new to live sound. It's your job, ney, your obligation to avoid communication with the band at all costs. Don't even make eye contact because they might signal you. Better yet, walk away from the board half way through the first song and don't return until they're done or you're too drunk to do anything anyway.

That is your duty. You are a live soundman.
Click to expand...

Tex,
Don't put too much on him.
Those things you mentioned are honed skills that only the real pros acquire after at least 2 gigs.
 
Quick question:
If your using the 4 returns for 4 monitor mixes... how are you getting the mains mix back to the PA amps??

Please dont tell me your running 2 50' xlr cable!
 
You might set up the signals you'll use with the band before hand. I've never seen a sound man talk to the band via walkie talkie. You never see band members stop playing or singing and pick up a walkie talkie do you?

The sound guy hooks up a talkback mic into the PA system so he can talk to the band. The band will generally use hand signals during the gig for stuff like "more monitor I can't hear myself", or "less monitor you are deafening me".

You should have some sort of emergency signal though where if they need you or someone to run up to the stage to change a battery or fix an dead cable. The worst thing is when you are performing and something goes horribly wrong and the sound guy is sitting back there totally oblivious. You are waving and trying to get attention and they are just not paying attention.
 
well, i'll try and answer a few of the ?'s

No talk back mic. And the snake has 4 returns, but my board only has two aux sends for the monitors. I'm pretty sure that they are going to want three stage monitors. So i was thinking of using one of the sub mixes since i'm only using 1&2 for the main mix. so 2 aux sends for2 monitors and sub mix 3 for the other.the monitors are Mackies srm 450'sand the mains are powered mackies as well . So To answer the quick question, i was going to run two 100 ft xlr cables, to the powered sub, and then from the sub out to the mains.the monitors come from the snake box. Does that sound right? I may just take Tex's advice and get trashed!!

JasonBird
 
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