Set Up Times?

[Brentford Bob 0]

How long does it take everyone to set up?

 

I run two laptops with a mixer and power amp into 2 x subs and 2 x tops.

 

Lighting wise, I have 2 x T bars on tripods with 4 x par cans and 3 other lights (ADJ H20, Dualize scanner and MarvelLED). There's a couple of other bits as well - an led star cloth to cover the front of my 'booth' and a wireless mic.

 

It takes me just over an hour to set this lot up. Does that sound right? How can I simplify things - active speakers? Par bars?

[fester 0]

My standard rig that I use at 9 out of 10 gigs sounds pretty similar to yours

 

http://i.imgur.com/qhO8jdUl.jpg

 

I don't know if this will be any help at all but here's how I go about setting it up.

 

After loading in, I get the deckstand up and amps on the bottom shelf.

 

On the top shelf is the laptop and a flightcase that contains my midi controller, active crossover (I run bi-amped into the 2 subs & 2 tops) and lighting controller, all pre-wired and ready to plug into the mains. I only have to connect the USB lead to the laptop. I also pre-wired a patch panel into the back of flightcase and made a loom for the xlr connections between the crossover and amps.

 

The overhead is all pre-wired for power and DMX, I just have to hang my lighting (which all have G-Clamps) and plug the cables into the effects.

 

Speakon leads to speakers, hang the matrix cloth, job done.

 

Depending on the gig and if the venue allows I might then add my hazer and sometimes a couple of uplights behind the stand. The overhead is wired to accept more lights if needed, perhaps a couple of strobes for 18ths etc. If it's a really big room/gig I might also take 2 t-bars (again pre-wired) and extra lights.

 

That usually takes me just less than an hour to load in and setup. If I take my roadie I can easily cut that down to half an hour or 40 minutes if we are taking our time.

 

I think pre-wiring everything I can and cutting down on the amount of time spent running cables is by far my biggest time saver.

[Brentford Bob 0]

Looks good - and similar to mine.

 

I wish I could leave the lights permanently on the T bars and be able to transport them safely like that....

 

I guess there are flightcases for such a thing but they cost hundreds and probably wouldn't fit in the motor!

 

The one hour set up time isn't usually a problem but I did a wedding on Saturday where they were running late and still expecting me to start at 7.30pm - I couldn't actually get in to the function room until 6.45 but we'd originally agreed that I could have access at 5.30!

[spinner 0]

Looks good - and similar to mine.

 

I wish I could leave the lights permanently on the T bars and be able to transport them safely like that....

 

I guess there are flightcases for such a thing but they cost hundreds and probably wouldn't fit in the motor!

 

The one hour set up time isn't usually a problem but I did a wedding on Saturday where they were running late and still expecting me to start at 7.30pm - I couldn't actually get in to the function room until 6.45 but we'd originally agreed that I could have access at 5.30!

 

 

If they were running late then, unless there was any slack in the schedule, there would be a knock-on effect. Hardly your fault and, if they were aware of the time it takes you to set up and you were there at the agreed time, it would be unreasonable to expect you to start at the original start time!

 

I use an Ultimax Wheel 'n' Winch which, minus the uprights, I keep pre-assembled in my van. I use Prolight Quick Clamps for all my lighting and the female parts of the clamps are attached permanently to 2 X Showtec Bulgin bars that I join in the middle.

 

I use a 3 box system (usually HK Audio Soundhouse One) a pair of hard drive controllers in a console case (with hard drives) and Allen & Heath Xone S2 mixer plus an S&H Starcloth Booth.

 

Once in it's very quick to assemble the uprights and attach the Showtec bars. The lights, with permanently attached male parts, each snap into their respective female parts and it doesn't take long to set up the sound system.

 

I can usually be in, set up, changed and ready to go within 60 minutes.

[HeartandSoul 0]

If they were running late then, unless there was any slack in the schedule, there would be a knock-on effect. Hardly your fault and, if they were aware of the time it takes you to set up and you were there at the agreed time, it would be unreasonable to expect you to start at the original start time!

 

I use an Ultimax Wheel 'n' Winch which, minus the uprights, I keep pre-assembled in my van. I use Prolight Quick Clamps for all my lighting and the female parts of the clamps are attached permanently to 2 X Showtec Bulgin bars that I join in the middle.

 

I use a 3 box system (usually HK Audio Soundhouse One) a pair of hard drive controllers in a console case (with hard drives) and Allen & Heath Xone S2 mixer plus an S&H Starcloth Booth.

 

Once in it's very quick to assemble the uprights and attach the Showtec bars. The lights, with permanently attached male parts, each snap into their respective female parts and it doesn't take long to set up the sound system.

 

I can usually be in, set up, changed and ready to go within 60 minutes.

 

I do it in 45 minutes if I don't set up any DMX. Lights pre mounted on a crossbar, which then goes onto free standing winch. Sound is quick, always found if you can get the lights pre wired then it's downhill from there.