Karaoke Forums

I apologize if this is the wrong place to ask this question, but how in the world do you guys and gals manage to set everything up in a half hour? What are the key things you do to make this happen?

I'm clueless about doing what I want to do this quickly and easily. So even if it's something you think should be taken for granted PLEASE spell it out for me. Thanks in advance!

You need to know your system and your room. Then have a plan. First thing I do is set up my speakers then my KJ table and then my video monitors and all cables, mics. and fire up my computer. All that's left is a quick sound check. If I'm the only singer to start with then it's a longer sound check. I try to straighten up cords ect. after if I got going too fast before the first real singers get up.

Make and keep as many connections as you can. I have a mini 4U rack that holds my go to devices. 90% of the connections never change. On location my only connections are:
Laptop vid, USB audio, power
Audio out to my amp source. Could be BOSE L1, Fender Passport, Crown Amp
Connect video source, amp speakers, L1 assemply, Passport assemble

Done..

My mixer can save scenes so I have several preset for where I am at, like the Lake, in my basement, outside, etc.
The Drive Rack + also has presets saved for the various options.

best thing to do if you want to speed up your set up tear down is practice. I have a set way I load, haul and carry each "rig" that I developed over time. Practice if you want to eliminate some of that curve.

Also:

1 - Try to avoid chit-chat. Tell people "just give me a few minutes".
2 - Never make a trip to/from your vehicle empty handed.
3 - Don't turn down free offers to carry easy stuff in if asked.
4 - Hustle!

I also start with the most important things first (sound). If something delays me, I can always be tweaking lights during the first few singers if neccesary.

Oh, I do have a sub that can also be in the mix. Again, the Drive Rack + is already configured for it for the various top end options. Spend the time on the back end to save time on the front end..

Good hand truck or Rock/Roller cart to carry as much as you can inside.
Have as much that CAN remain connected - connected at all times when you pack up, no need to take out wires off of every piece of gear.
Like said, have a plan, know where you will be setting up. If at all possible set up earlier in the day then just bring in what you need.

_________________
LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

If I have a gig that I do regularly I make up sets of cables just for that show and put them into a separate tote bag. That way I know I have exactly the right cables in the correct lengths. I have also made up harnesses if the routing allows for it. I say "allows for it" because the harness is usually bigger around and can roll under foot when walked on. All my connectors are color coded on the male and females ends so even a novice can figure out where the cables go. If you buy cables from MONOPRICE.COM there is no reason not to have dedicated cable sets for each venue, because their prices are very reasonable, and quite high quality.

Every regular gig I have had in the last 3 years I have convinced the venue to let me keep my equipment on site. Even if I only do 1 night a week at the venue. That alone saves all of the pack/unpack time not to mention a significant amount of wear and tear on equipment. I just have the hosts/venues set up the equipment on show nights. I simply collect a check.

This also has the benefit of spreading equipment out over a geography such that if I need to use it on an off-karaoke night for some other function, I just swing by the venue closest to where my off-gig is and pick up the equipment.

-Chris

_________________
-Chris

Practice. Set up and tear down at home. Over and over. After a while, you should be able to figure out procedure. We try to be as careful as we can as far as when certain items get carted in and set up. As something comes in from the truck, it gets placed, in it's final location. It's nice to run A/C cables firs, then place stacks and racks, then video. A/V cable goes last to avoid spaghetti.

Organization and a dolly. When you figure out the way to do it, remember to try and handle your equipment as least as possible. In other words if can touch it once do so. Keep the moving and handling to the least number of times as you can. And remember a place for everything and everything in its place. Once you figure it out then do the same thing every time and make it routine. This will help you know if you have missed anything setting up or tearing down.

_________________
You can be strange but not a stranger

I have a roadie.

If I'm on my own, I put everything in it's correct location as I unload the vehicle. Vehicle is packed in order.

So first trip is laptop (most steal-able so first in last out), stands and other little bits (books etc) then I put stands up.

Next trip speaker - straight onto stand x2

Mixing desk then flight case with the players in (straight onto table)

Lids/covers/bags are put away or taken back to the car.

Then lead bag comes in and everything is hooked up.

move car.

With the roadie, we've done it so many times together it's like clockwork. I just do what ever he isn't.

_________________
'A genius is one who can do anything except make a living'. Joey Adams.

When I do a show, it takes me about 30-45 minutes to completely set up. I do everything in the same sequence. I usually show up at least 1 hour before show time.

First up is my arrival. I try to get a parking spot as close to the place as possible... otherwise I just park illegally and move my car after everything is in the place. It takes me about 10 minutes to bring everything into the place (usually 4 trips back and forth).

Next is the setup. I already placed my Speakers when I first brought everything in. All I have to do is mount them onto my Speaker Poles, and then plug in the cables. I then duct tape down the cables in the areas where someone might trip on the cable (so they will walk over it instead of tripping on them... the cables are heavy duty, so they can take it).

Next thing is my Amp Mixer and CDG Player. Usually the Bar will have a table all set up for me before I arrive (if not, it's an extra 2 minutes to get one from their back room or storage area and bring it to my work area). I stack my 2 units on top of each other, and plug everything in to my extension cord. I then connect my Speaker Cables into my Amp Mixer. This takes me about 15 minutes to do.... The real time killer for me is all the Duct Tape that I use to secure the areas where any cables or cords are in an open pathway/area and could cause someone to trip over it.

Next is my Mics. I have 2 cordless and 1 corded Mic that I use with my setup. I hook up the cordless setup to my Amp Mixer, and then plug the power in. I connect my corded Mic to my Amp Mixer, and then I am done with that. That takes me about 5 minutes to do.

Next is my TV hookup. I put the TV stand together, and then place my set on it. I then hook my video cables into the set from my CDG Player. Then, if the Bar has an extra TV set (they usually have a few sets that are mounted throughout the Bar) that I can aim to face the audience, I hook my splitter into it. This takes me about 5 more minutes to complete.

Finally, is the test of all my equipment. I make sure the TV is receiving the signal, and I do a quick Sound Check of my Mics, and I plop a CDG into the player to make sure everything is working properly. That's another 3 minutes.

Sometimes it may take me a little longer because I will stop and talk with some of the people there, or stop and answer questions. I have never felt rushed to finishing my setup because I am there early. Once that's all done, I circulate a few of my Song Books and Song Slips with Pencils throughout the Bar, and then I relax until I am ready to start the show.

for me, it is just under 10 minutes from pulling up to music.
the Bose is 1 trip for power stands and the "sticks"
my rack is on wheels so i set the subs on it and roll in (2 trips total.)
the bose goes together in under 1 1/2 minutes (power stand, 2 sticks (no wires to them) 2 subs (2x1 foot wires) power on.
the rest is permanently wired in the rack. remove front cover flip out legs and it becomes my table. set top lid on table to hold my laptop. 1 power cord to the wall, wireless mic receivers, laptop power supply, and mixer are always connected along with sound card and wireless transmitter to the Bose.
hard drive, sound card and mouse receiver are plugged into powered hub (also permanently connected inside the rack) so 1 power cord and 1 usb cord are sitting on top of the mixer and a quick connect to laptop (which was in a drawer in the rack) and the HDMI cable (in the ceiling) and power up the computer.

i have everything that can be connected stay connected. no reason to remove anything from the hub every day, new purchases get automatically sent to my Ubuntu one account during the show, etc.
no need to unplug the power or audio from mic receivers. even the mics stay in a second drawer in the rack.
everything into one rack mounted power conditioner, means one power cable to mess with.
wireless to the Bose means no cables to run or tape down.
just haven't spent the money for the HDMI wireless yet, but when i ran component i used wireless there so not even that cable to deal with.
consolidate and like was said, get a routine, same way every time and it will go fast.

_________________
Paradigm Karaoke, The New Standard.......Shift Happens

I just set up for a little show I am doing at work and it took me 15 minutes. This was with the Bose L1 with two B1s this time, no travel tables and no lighting. One trip on my hand cart.

45 minutes. I have a full size set up. Rack, PAs, sub, sound monitor, lyrics monitor, wired mic stand, lights, fog.

Cue I use painters tape, tried duck tape once, messy.

Chris, I have gigs at multiple venues. I no longer leave my set up there, even when I did, I had to tear down due to the stage being used by bands as well.


Biggest piece of advise I would give,,,,,,, never let others touch your cables! I have my way of doing it, I know what to expect next gig!

_________________
KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

We still have to tear down/set up at each of my 3 venues because the stage areas are used for other activities during the week. I have one exception to this which is my Sun - Tues gig. It gets setup on Sunday and torn down on Tues night, sometimes Wed afternoon. But the equipment is just moved from a partition behind the stage.

For the Fri/Sat gig I run myself, it still takes me 45 mins to set up even though all equipment is on site. Mostly because I hate sweating my (@$%&#!) off before a show and smelling like a dog for the rest of the evening. I have to move a pool table and place a tarp + table skirt on top before finally adding ping pong table on top. This is where I place my DJ station. Then I have the lighting tree, sub, and tops. Wiring is simple in the venue.

-Chris

_________________
-Chris

For me it was simplifying my set up, this took some time to fig out what I liked best and what worked best for Me. I sold all of my Passive gear and went completely powered. This eliminated heavy amps etc., to each his own. I have all cables, wires & connectors in a tote set up strictly for karaoke (I also keep extra components in there in case something should fail). The other Tote is large & I store my books in it. In our smaller venue its about a 25 min set up time. Just practice, no your equipment front and backwards, and then set up like a Boss The speed will come once you get familiar with the venue, your gear and simplify the system.
And in no way does simplify imply "cheap" or a crappy sounding set up....for all of the Trolls out there....just don't

gaffers tape, it is made specifically for this situation and leaves no sticky stuff.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BZWR4S/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=1535523722&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000QDRRIE&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1BWNS2F4YZ44BNPKXHJN

it is more expensive, but if you are going through enough that it becomes a cost rpoblem maybe look at running permanently overhead at the bar or go wireless like i did. i use 0 rugs or Gaff.

_________________
Paradigm Karaoke, The New Standard.......Shift Happens

Instead of tape I use cheap runner rugs from Walmart. $13 a piece, rolled up, just place on one end where cables are visible and roll out, done. No stickiness, I can wash them and they last about a year. I keep 3 of them just in case, but mostly I just need one.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-Sah ... 0/17653961

This.

No band/DJ/Sound Man should be without it.