Getting experience

[Phil]

I have been looking into trying to get a job (i will probs just voulenteer to do) at a theatre somewhere in Tyne and Wear around Newcastle way. Maybe the Customs House in south shields (which I say is a cracking venue - nice atmosphere seats 400). I would like to get a bit more experience in sound/lighting engineering, rather than just p*ss*ng about with the crap the school has for the occasional show. e.g (mixer at the side of the stage - how the hell can you get a propper mix without having to keep running backwards and forwards, mic stands where someone has stolen the bolt of the boom arm on the mic stands )

I am not sure tho if I would be allowed to be around for the stage/rig for health and safety stuff. I have played twice at The customs house and had no problems with having a mooch around back stage and taking a peek at all the gear.

So It is just the question of do you think I would have any probs regarding insurance and safety?

Thanks

Phil

[John Bell]

Hi Phil, there must be a local band in your area, with their own PA, who would welcome assistance, even from a newbie. Apart from helping loading in and out, setting up, sound checking and breaking down, you would end up baby-sitting the rig while the band were on stage. They may even be short of some equipment, that you could bring along. (mics, cables etc.).

I started by providing and engineering my small PA and lighting for a local band who didn't have a PA. As you can see from my Sits Vac postings, my rigs have grown a great deal and I now provide and engineer my rigs for several bands and for charity events. John.

[soundmanjim]

if its any help, i started out, by doing a mini gig on the opposite friday to another more major gig.

The big gig was known as the 'Luna club'.

The pa guy had loads of gear, and i used to visit just to sit with him and get him to explain to me what everything did.

Then the following week i would try to apply the same to my set-up (which didnt always work, admittedly) but we still got people coming in, and as the money started to happen, i used that dosh to buy better gear.

e bay is good for stuff, but be very wary, i have had a lot of duff gear; luckily im a bit clued up on electronics so i managed to repair some of the stuff that was ropey. Find a friendly disco shop man. they can be very good for getting basic gear. I even purchased our first system (hk actor) through a local disco shop, as he was happy to get the trade and we got the stuff at a reduced price. they are also good for cables and stuff. poke your nose in there and get chatting to the disco guy, i bet he had desired to be in the biz before he decided it was safer just to do disco's!! go see if im right!

i did a few other venues with the gear i had managed to buy, until i got a call from a guy i had met a week earlier who wanted me to pa his new venue.

that was 10 years ago.

now i have 3 systems, 4 outboards, 5 multicores, dmx lighting, the lot. ive even got a trolley (essential, especially for a young back like yours!!)
dont go ruining your back (you WILL if you try and carry stuff thats too heavy for you), get a nice trolley. with big fat pneumatic wheels!

find a nice accomodating scout-hut, or mebbe even a small hall that will entertain you (a nice beaming confident smile should do the trick), tell them that you will pay them a little bit for the hall as you are still learning) and do a gig once a month. take the dosh, buy the gear.

the only real way to learn is to do it, do it, do it. the longer your at it, the more things start slipping into place in your brain. 'aah, yes! THATS how the compressor works!' I got that one while i was climbing up a lighting truss at a festival!!

good luck!

[mic mk]

www.prosoundweb.com is a great resource
The discussion boards are very comprehensive but don't post anything as they will tear you to pieces.The lab board discussion about "the future of our companies" although primarily concerned with the us market touches on many relevant topics.
Buying gear can be a total black hole .It is initially best to work for someone with gear
If you do buy an a&h mix wix 16 ch mk 3/dbx 1231 31 band stereo graphic/ two pairs of mackie srm 450's with stands/shure 57/58's/emo di boxes x4/16/4 multicore and leads would be a safe option.Maybe add powered subs later.Flightcasing everything is crucial.This stuff is always resaleable.Maybe buy secondhand.
Your first gigs may not go as well as planned-most promoters have an unreal expectation of sound quality on a budget and your inexperience may p*** off the band[You must understand desk routing/gain structure/phantom power/correct mic useage/compressor settings/gating/digital system processors/acoustics/backline level etc
The bigger quality gear is horrendously expensive to buy/store/transport and maintain and you probably won't make a return on your investment
keep it small/keep it mobile/don't buy on impulse or because its cheap