Proposal: Jazz Band Production Setup

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Proposal Jazz Band Production Setup

• Prepared by Mitch Kolesaire
• 09/14/2003
• Revision 3
• Changes to box layout, audience pa and monitoring
  of sound

2
Purpose

• To PROPOSE a set of alternative standard
  configurations
• Benefits
• To enable efficient pre-gig site planning based
  on an agreed plan (power, space, lighting, sound)
• To plan appropriate production equipment
  inventory extension cords, mics, etc.
• A plan might be necessary for certain contracts.
  It communicates layout, and responsibility of
  sections / section leaders to organize the setup
  and breakdown effectively and efficiently and
  will enable basic site planning to be efficient
  and effective.
• A plan also shows a professional image, which may
  help us earn repeat performances.

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Action Required By You

• What Action?
• Review plan with critical questions
• Is the space organized appropriately for your
  instrument/section?
• Is the power appropriate?
• Is the micing adequate?
• Song by song, where should mics be for solos?
• Make comments on additions/corrections to Mitch
  Kolesaire at mitchkolesaire_at_aol.com
• Select a section head
• When?
• By Tuesday, September 16th.

4
Basic Work Flow Gig Setup
Site Review
Where do we have access to power? Do we set up
semi or box configuration? Do we need PA? How big
is audience? Are there restrictions to timing of
when we must set up and break down?
Primary Power Routing
Are we within 100 feet of power source? Can we
have two different circuits, one for lights/power
and one for sound equipment? Is sound circuit
noise free?
Seating / Stand Setup
Do the instruments have enough space to be
played, and be set on stands if necessary? Is
there enough foot room access to mutes and other
instrument add-ons?
Electrical Routing from Primary To Sections /
Stands
Route main cord to start of each section. Route
all electric in front of stands.
Sound Mixer Equipment Placement
Can the mixer be accessed by person who controls
the mixer for volume, etc.?
Sound WireMic Routing To Stands and to Speakers
Route sound wire under seats, NOT next to
electrical. If necessary to cross electrical, do
it at 90 degrees.
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Basic Work Flow Gig Breakdown
Finish Gig
Secure Instruments
Turn Off Mixer Equipment
Unplug and Return Mics Remove Sound Wire. Dont
step on.
Return Seating and Stands to staging area
Return Electrical to Staging area
Return Primary Power to staging area
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Basic Notation on This Plan
Sound capture for solos, sound balancing
Mic Feed
Line Feed
Amplifier
Monitor
PA Speaker Sound Cable
Electric Device Cord
Electric Extension Cord
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Setup Guidelines

• Physical Layout at Each Site
• Two probable configurations, dictated by the site
• box configuration for deep and narrow stage (w/
  risers)
• Semi for shallow and wide stages (sidewalk setup)
• Adjustable rhythm section location
• behind , in front or to the side of band as
  dictated by site.

• Electric and Sound
• Source power w/in 100 feet
• One 15 amp circuit necessary, two separate
  circuits preferred
• Section/head(s) responsible for power w/in their
  space
• Working power strips daisy-chained (black
  preferred)
• Working light bulbs and spares, gels if necessary
• Sections and soloists responsible for mic access
  as required for solos.

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Site Breakdown Guidelines

• Physical Breakdown
• Sections return chairs, music stands and power
  strips and lights to designated storage
• Section heads report damaged / missing equipment
  to be fixed before next gig
• A volunteer from each section to assist in final
  loading of vehicle(s)

• Sound and Electrical Breakdown
• Section heads responsible for mic return
• Sound Tech coils all cable and inventories all
  equipment
• Electrical Tech coils all power cords,
  inventories all stand lights

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Basic Box Configuration
Rhythm
Trumpet
Trombone
Conductor/ Vocal
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Semi Circle Band Configuration
Trombone
Woodwind
Trumpet
Rhythm
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Box Electrical Configuration
Main Source 12 Guage line. 15 amp circuit 1800
watts max. Power Consumption Assumptions 20
lamps_at_25 watts ea. 400w Bass Amp _at_100w Guitar
Amp _at_100w Piano Amp _at_ 100w, Piano _at_ 25w Allow for
line resistance for extension cords over 100 feet
or smaller than 12 guage. Current excess
capacity is less than 1100 watts
Rhythm Section Mixer/Amp
Conductor/ Vocal
Powered Mixer Entire Band
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Box Sound Mix In Configuration
Main Mix 8 Channel Powered Mixer to two PA
speakers on poles. Sub mix of three amps for
guitar, bass and piano. Could be mixed and sent
to one channel to give a complete mix. Drums NOT
micd.

• Ch Descr Mic/Line
• Voc/Conductor Mic
• Sax 1 Mic
• Sax 2 Mic
• Trombone 1 Mic
• Trombone 2 Mic
• Trumpet 1 Mic
• Trumpet 2 Mic
• Rhythm Section Mix LINE

Left
Right
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Box Sound Out Pa/Monitor Out Configuration
Main Mix 8 Channel Powered Mixer to two PA
speakers on poles. Sub mix of three amps for
guitar, bass and piano. Could be mixed and sent
to one channel to give a complete mix. Drums NOT
micd.

• Ch Descr Mic/Line
• Voc/Conductor Mic
• Sax 1 Mic
• Sax 2 Mic
• Trombone 1 Mic
• Trombone 2 Mic
• Trumpet 1 Mic
• Trumpet 2 Mic
• Rhythm Section Mix LINE

Left
Right
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Semi Circle Electrical Configuration
Power Strips Daisy chained within sections
Lights
Amp/Monitor
Main Source 12 Guage line. 15 amp circuit 1800
watts max. Power Consumption Assumptions 20
lamps_at_25 watts ea. 400w Bass Amp _at_100w Guitar
Amp _at_100w Piano Amp _at_ 100w, Piano _at_ 25w Allow for
line resistance for extension cords over 100 feet
or smaller than 12 guage. Current excess
capacity is less than 1100 watts
Powered Mixer for solos and PA
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Semi Sound Configuration

• Ch Mic
• Voc/Cond
• Rhythm Section Mix
• Sax 1
• Sax 2
• Trombone 1
• Trombone 2
• Trumpet 1
• Trumpet 2

Main Mix 8 Channel Powered Mixer to two PA
speakers on poles. Sub mix of three amps for
guitar, bass and piano. Could be mixed and sent
to one channel to give a complete mix. Drums NOT
micd..
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Production Roles at a Gig

• Production Manager
• Responsible for coordinating the site plan with
  the site manager(s).
• Decides placement of seating, mixers, speakers
  and mics, music stands
• Power management tech
• Responsible for getting source power to the band
  (but not power to the sections)
• Responsible for solving issues with the lighting
  to each stand
• Sound management tech
• Responsible for sound cabling to mics, and to
  speakers
• Assists in sound check
• Assists in balancing for solos
• Section Leaders and Section Volunteers
• Leader
• Responsible for overseeing each section for
  adequate power, lights and mics, ability to see
  conductor, get cues, etc.
• Responsible for mic positioning for solos
• Responsible for listing equipment problems to be
  fixed for next gig
• Section Volunteers
• Responsible for set up of chairs, stands and
  lights (come early)
• Responsible for breakdown of chairs, stands and
  lights to designated staging area
• Help load the vehicles.

Client
Production Manager
Sound Tech
Electric Tech
Section Leader
Volunteers
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Summary

• A plan requires thought and feedback. Your
  feedback is welcome!
• A plan enables everyone to participate in some
  way sharing the load and making the gigs easier.
• A plan, plus a set list with solo/mic channel
  designations is not only professional, it enables
  us to sound better in a variety of situations
  whether we mix the sound, or if we have to hire
  a sound man that comes with the house.
• Dont forget to send feedback.