mrtcat

Where are you based? If you're anywhere near here you can pop round and I'll happily give you a PA 101 session if it helps. I've got a stupid amount of kit in the workshop at the moment so can go through anything from mini PA to festival rig.

When you say you don't need mics do you mean you won't be using them or that you already have some? If it's just for music I'd get two of the best RCF powered 12 or 15 inch cabs your budget will allow. They're tough, compact and plenty loud with good sound quality. If you need to use mic's with it for plays etc then two of the same with a small mixer will do a great job. Other brands to look at would be EV, Yamaha, HK Audio.

I understand your upset at being last to know and that would certainly grate on me a little but don't be too hasty. At the end of the day these guys are free to do what they want. If the rise of the reunion project starts to affect your current band then spit the dummy but I'd be inclined to let it pan out a bit as these things tend to just peter out a bit and disappear. Yes you now know where you stand communication and trust wise but do you need to be best pals with the people you play with? With regards the PA situation if it continues I suggest that you talk about a bit of Financial recompense for your efforts.

[quote name='Handwired' timestamp='1395864439' post='2407432'] NV412 [/quote] Got one of these. As near to perfect for me as I think is possible. Love it to bits and I'm defo also a Barefaced fan but the berg is a peach.

Played a social club with a band which is not my usual one. I agreed to join them when they wanted shot of old bass player and I needed to bring a little more cash in. Great guitarist, decent singer and a really nice chap on drums who sadly can't keep time. They seem to think it was a great gig but I thought that with the exception of about 10 songs it was poor. I'm all about giving an audience songs they know and love but these guys are dead set on playing their favourite stuff regardless. Think my days may be numbered with them.

Saw steel panther at Brixton Academy last night. Totally killer live show despite the backing tracks lol

Regularly run amp flat but with jazz bass I put a little frown on the eq to flatten out the natural scoop the jazz has.

Thought Jack Bruce's new stuff was massively disappointing. That track "Drone" sounded like it had been mixed by a child. Really rubbish IMO.

Bet it sounds and plays far better than some basses 10x the value. I have a BBN5 and it's shockingly good for a £1000 bass let alone one that only cost me £90

Odd one really. Wedding at the Oxford Union. A very old building that is the heart of Oxford University and every bit as grand and quirky as you'd hope. We played really well despite an awkward room with really high ceilings and had a packed dance floor all night. Did 2 sets (8.30 - 9.30 & 10.30 - 11.30) and between sets we were given food / drinks in a private room. The bride had her own ipod playlist for the gap between sets which we ran through our PA for her. When we came back for the 2nd set it became quickly apparent our gear had been messed with. All settings on desk had been adjusted, drummers sticks were on floor, guitars were out of tune and mics had been moved. We were all mega annoyed and then best man (some posh twat) bowls over and says "we tried to sing karaoke while you were away but couldn't work out how to turn mics up - how do we do it?". Discreetly told him to do one and then set about assessing damage and sound checking again. Luckily no lasting damage. At the end of the night we took our money before letting groom know about incident, reminding him of contract he signed (including bit about guests not being permitted to touch our stuff) and said we would be looking over our kit in detail today. He was very apologetic but I have today let him know all seems ok. Lesson learnt methinks.

Baby oil and makeup for the Big Hair band.

I'd be very wary of the EV ELX tops as the non powered version specs of 95db/w for the Elx112 show them to be relatively inefficient meaning that even with the claimed 1000w you'd still be lucky to get them anywhere near 120db let alone the 132 odd that they claim they can produce. You'd nearer 5000w to manage that and that's more than the drivers would cope with anyway I'd imagine.

I went through something similar when I was a teenager. I couldn't be bothered making time to practice and none of the people I played with were particularly supportive. I saw lessons as an expensive pain in the @r$e. I talked to the guy giving me lessons and he was cool. Basically told me to take the pressure off myself and stop lessons for a bit and keep bass on a stand so I could pick it up when I felt like but under no circumstances flog my gear. I did this and didn't play for a few months. One day I was kicking around my room with music on and a RATM song came on that I loved. As my bass was right there I just picked it up and started playing along. For a few months I just enjoyed chugging along working out bits and pieces and playing root notes etc. Eventually I got a chance to play with a friends band for a few parties and that was enough to kickstart my enthusiasm again. I got back into practicing and lessons. I now play with various bands some of which earn me some handy cash. I guess I learnt that a break is good but keep your gear around so it's ready when you are. BTW if you're competitive you're almost certainly being hard on yourself and others are likely to see you as being better than you think you are so keep looking for people to play with. All the very best of luck.

Many thanks for taking the time to give this info. I think we'll go k12 and then look for best subs we can get with remaining budget. Much obliged.

Really really wish I could have gone to this. I am rapidly becoming a country fan after dismissing it for years. Bob Harris' show seems to be on when I drive home from rehearsals every week and I'm being swung by the new country stuff which seems to be in favour at the moment. I'm totally into the vocal harmonies and some great writing.

Played a rare pub gig with the function band at a pub called The Swan in Wantage Oxon. We have just taken on a new keys player so wanted a no pressure outing to put him through his paces. He was ace and we all gelled immediately. Pub got busier and busier as the night went on and people danced from first note til last. Sound guy asked if we could play there every week lol. A success I reckon.

Can I ask why the change? Our band has been looking at a powered system for function work and I'm interested in the QSC k12s with a pair of powered subs which I recall you were talking highly of. Have you had problems with the Qsc rig?

Oxford sucks. Live music other than metal struggles as all the venues were so up their own @r5es that they went under. Even the Bullingdon arms has gone downhill and that used to be ok. For a city with such a student population it's really disappointing.

Nope. Everything sounds great until I get my hands on it.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1394730292' post='2394563'] Yep, great venue, played there last night. [/quote] Bugger wish I'd known. Depping for a band there tomorrow night. King billy is heavy rock on a sat bit they are open to all sorts mid week. The Beeswing at Kettering has had decent bands in the past. If you are prepared to play 20mins down the road then the red lion at Brackley is good and the Kings Head at Buckingham is cheap and cheerful but fun to play.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1394732744' post='2394601'] Things I look for are playing area...and if they are serious about the music they put on, so I will check out the rosta and also whether it is the sort of place we'd invite people to... If they fail on any of that criteria, we aren't going to play there.. [/quote] This is more like it for me too. I look at who else they book and if they have decent bands week in week out then it makes me really want to play there. If they only put a band on once in a blue moon when they are looking to boost that month's takings then forget it. Also if they do what many pubs round here do and have their mates band or their brother's wife's cousin's son's band or some of the really cheap local acts then I'll give it a miss thanks.

Mixer lives next to my amp at gigs. Singer and guitarist always help with load in and set up. I sound check with wireless lead and then away we go. We aren't a hugely expensive function band but we try to get the very best sound we can. Our system can go very big if needed. Tempted to invest in snake and use engineer for bigger gigs in future but would need to find someone I really trust.

Nah just do it. Be honest with prospective band members about your ability. I find being in bands keeps me focused and remember that when I was learning it really spurred me on to improve knowing that I wasn't just improving for my own benefit. Good luck

www.startechproductions.co.uk did lighting for an oxford uni grad ball we played last year. They were very pro but were hired by the university college so have no idea what they charged. I'm in and out of Oxford a lot so if I can be of any help just let me know. These guys are based down the road in swindon and although they do sound not light they're brilliant and will no doubt be able to recommend a lighting company. www.amberaudio.co.uk