Hi all!... Here's a revision to the list I posted last month. There are some additions made from the last time (and credits to the contributors at the end). If you have more additions, post them or mail them to me and I'll add them and repost another revise next month... Thanks! ============================================================================== This is a running list of things that should be brought on gigs/shows (the list of Murphy's Law preventatives): "BEFORE THE GIG" STUFF: ====================== * Label *every* cable that connects someplace in the back of your rack/rig -- even if you never remove them. * Pre-printed set-lists (dark big type to easily be read from a standing position with them taped to the floor) * Agree on who is responsible for what gear -- this might include set-up, tear-down, and who keeps a watchful eye on what. If you have "roadies"/friends helping, agree on what material they will handle (merely to avoid confusion). Most importantly, it means that at the end of the night, whom ever is selected to be responsible for a piece of equipment is also responsible for seeing that it gets packed up and taken home at the end of the night. * Cable-tie everything you can! Those sticky-back cable-tie bases are handly too. * Color code all cables that coming from or going to a player's stage position with colored electrical tape. This would include his/her line to the monitor he/she uses. Stick a square of the same colored tape above the inputs to all devices possible. Since multi-colored tape is hard to find, use combos of what you can find. It also might be a good idea to have a color code for special lines (line-out's from amps get white plus the player's color code, monitor lines get red plus the player color code). * Check all batteries for a decent charge (especially on-board instrument pre-amps) Replace all marginal batteries with fresh ones. * EVERYTHING must have a gig-bag, tote-bag, or a case of some kind; no free-floating items of any kind! Label the bags and cases with your name (or your band's name) and optionally, the contents of the container (if you have friends/"roadies", it helps identify what lid/bag belongs with what equipment). * Each member of the band should have a check-list of all their equipment so that at the end of the night, simply run down the list make sure you have everything before you leave. IN GENERAL: =========== * Extra power cords (heavy-duty extention cords) * Multi-outlet power strips (at least one). * Line/wall-outlet testers * Duct tape * Masking tape * Band-aids/general first-aid kit (a small one is fine) * A few pens and a pad of paper * Extra patch cords, mic cables, speaker cables (two of everything if you can afford it) * Adapters/converters (line-level, mic, RCA-to-phono, etc.) * Screwdrivers (as many sizes as possible; both flat-heads and philips heads; possibly allen wrenches too), pliers (regular and needle-nose) -- A Leatherman's tool would cover most of these plus some. * Volt-meter (for testing the batteries -- those Duracell testing packages can be used as well) * Extra fuses (two for each piece of equipment that uses one) * Wire cutters * An extra promo package (promo tapes with lits); band business cards (names and numbers of whom to talk to); Include an itinerary of up-coming shows to give to people who are interested and want to see you again! * Fingernail clippers (multiple uses here) * Pen flashlight (it's always darkest in places where wires and cables are hidden) * Assorted glues (5-minute Epoxy and super-glue) * Blank cassette tapes (the sound-man might have the ability to record the show -- a good way of checking the quality of the show...and the sound-man!) Get tapes that are high quality and at least as long as the set time on one side (the sound-man will more than likely be more recptive to the idea of recording if all he's got to do is turn it on set the record levels and do his job, rather than look at the tape to see if he's got to flip it, or worse, change in an new one) * If you use sequencers/computers/etc to call up patches automatically, have a back-up diskette of the software and the the patch data, same story for ROMS. Also, be sure the "write protect" switch is on. * Towels/rags for general cleaning (usually of spilt beer). * Soldering iron and solder for quick electrical repairs. BASS RIG (or any rack gear in general): ======== * An extra pack of strings * Tuner (if it's not a part of the rack) * Picks (even if you don't use them) * A child's night-light in one of the power conditioner sockets to you can see connections in the back. * Any "special" tools for your bass (special truss-rod wrenches, etc.) * 9V batteries (for stomp-boxes and active electronic instruments; get'em in bulk) * Extra parts for your equipment (tubes, modules, ROM cards, an extra antenna if you use wireless equipment) * (if possible) An extra "special" cables (like the "all-most" MIDI cable from your foot-controller to your effects unit) * If you have one, bring an extra instrument -- If you have more than one bass, bring another in case something goes wrong with your regular one. * If you can afford it, bring a DI box or a microphone for miking your bass cab. This will give you more consistant tone night after night...and soundmen never seem have enough of either one. For you (the "sensible" bass player), be prepared! Bring picks for your guitarist -- find out his/her favorite brand/size and get a few. Also, get a pack of his/her brand of guitar strings...as it was put to me, "Yeah, it's rediculous to have to babysit the guitarist, but for $10, you can have this simple "show insurance" that will give you peace of mind." =========================================================================== I would like to thank the following individuals for their additional contributions to the list: etrinida@aludra.usc.edu (Elson Trinidad) Eric Johnson (Works Test) jagerm@flop.ENGR.ORST.EDU (Mark Jager) whale@leland.Stanford.EDU (Stephen Schmidt) arte@camaro.camb.inmet.com (Arthur Kenyon) -- ______________________________________________________________________________ Pete Turner | "I'm not looking back -- but I want to look Intel Corporation | around me now" 5000 W. 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