Ashwood1985

[quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1394576274' post='2393017'] There are a couple of bands I know locally where they bring a dedicated sound man. He usually gets an equal split with the rest of the band ....... and, to be honest, I'm not sure their sound set up is any the better for it. [/quote] Unfortunately this is a problem for professional engineers where there are so many, frankly speaking, laymen 'engineers' on the circuit that it gives the trade a bad name and devalues the importance of it in the minds of musicians. Week in week out, I do the sound for function bands (as a dedicated engineer) and most of the time I am working with a band for the first time they act like I've performed magic because they are used to the results from non-pros.

[quote name='gelfin' timestamp='1394579344' post='2393061'] using a headset mic to tell him what to adjust [/quote] NICE

Yeah I'm more than familiar with the joys and perils of engineering - it's my bread and butter and I've been a pro in sound longer than I've considered myself remotely pro at playing. I think it's a different way of looking at the role of live engineering - when I'm on the desk I am constantly mixing and adjusting to the varying intricacies of the song and performance - and if I was playing it would have to become a 'set and forget' situation to a certain degree - despite the fact that most 'engineers' I see in the function field work this way anyway, it rubs against my respect for the craft. But you know - as someone who owns quality PA and can play its a hard stance to maintain when there's extra moolah to be made!

Ok so here's one for you..... Who here sets up and runs a PA system on function based gigs in particular (the reasons including the fact that there's a client being charged for both jobs normally! Plus the question wouldn't apply to crew situations as much)...? and who consistently insists on there being a dedicated engineer on each paid function? I know some players (bass or otherwise) who do exactly this and I have alway avoided it as professional principle. But I am starting to think that the only person who really gives a rat's arse is yours truly. Also any good/bad experiences regarding this? A note from me: a function singer I know said that the bass player was doing this on a gig and he just stopped playing in the middle of a chorus, put down his bass and wondered over to the desk to make some adjustments - all with the panic and urgency of a sleepy old dad, begrudgingly making himself a cup of tea! Hilarious story but I wouldn't find it so funny if I was the one dealing with that client! look forward to hearing your thoughts/approach/experiences