Ross Brown Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 Let's say you are playing a gig that has nice house sound and a decent sound guy. You play for the door but expect to bring in $400-$500 for the band. Do you tip the sound guy? How much? When do you tip him? Seems to me, it would be good idea to tip before the gig... "When I take a stroll down Jackass Lane it is usually to see someone that is already there" Mrs. Brown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcadmus Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 I assume this is primarily a hypothetical question, right? Like how many angels can dance on the head of a pin? Personally, I would never tip anyone BEFORE anything. That's one heartbeat away from asking to be blackmailed. "Tours widely in the southwestern tip of Kentucky" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 We never have, but I could see the benefit if the guy remembers you and tries extra hard the next time - but then you set a precedent. For the money you're talking, I wouldn't be tipping anybody. Now if in addition to the door, you put out a tip jar and get a good collection, I might split that with him. Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenfxj Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 I remember Tip! Push the button Frank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Brown Posted March 16, 2012 Author Share Posted March 16, 2012 I assume this is primarily a hypothetical question, right? Like how many angels can dance on the head of a pin? Personally, I would never tip anyone BEFORE anything. That's one heartbeat away from asking to be blackmailed. Let's say you are playing a gig that has nice house sound and a decent sound guy. You play for the door but expect to bring in $300-400 for the band. Now it is not hypothetical. "When I take a stroll down Jackass Lane it is usually to see someone that is already there" Mrs. Brown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil W Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 He's paid isn't he? Usually more than the band in my experience. http://philwbass.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcadmus Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 I assume this is primarily a hypothetical question, right? Like how many angels can dance on the head of a pin? Personally, I would never tip anyone BEFORE anything. That's one heartbeat away from asking to be blackmailed. Let's say you are playing a gig that has nice house sound and a decent sound guy. You play for the door but expect to bring in $300-400 for the band. Now it is not hypothetical. This "nice house sound" and "decent sound guy" you speak of -- your words are strange to me. You must be from far, far away. Okay, enough slagging sound guys in general. To be honest, I've never heard of the notion of tipping the sound guy in any scenario. Is this a common practice among folks who gig regularly in venues that provide sound? (Most of the stuff I do, we provide our own sound). "Tours widely in the southwestern tip of Kentucky" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 We reward the good sound guys by hiring them when we need sound, since usually the house guys are contracted from a production company. We've never tipped, and most gigs have house sound. Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard W Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 I would, after the gig. It's a tip--your not giving him an equal cut of the band's take. What are we talking--$25? It's a nice gesture, especially if he does a good job and you might play there again. "Everyone wants to change the world, but no one thinks of changing themselves." Leo Tolstoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cthulhu Fhtagn Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 I assume this is primarily a hypothetical question, right? Like how many angels can dance on the head of a pin? Personally, I would never tip anyone BEFORE anything. That's one heartbeat away from asking to be blackmailed. Let's say you are playing a gig that has nice house sound and a decent sound guy. You play for the door but expect to bring in $300-400 for the band. Now it is not hypothetical. Was it house PA and house sound? Was it one of those "multiple band extravaganzas" with a contract sound guy and contract PA? Did you play a duo for an hour for $300-400, or was it four sets with a five piece for $300-400? Typically, $300 to $400 is an average night for Jurassic Rock. I schlep and run the live sound. I don't get tips, but I do get bitched at a lot. Probably not. If he's working for the venue, the venue should pay him. If soundguy is all that and a bag of chips and the live sound belongs to him, get his card. I wouldn't insult the soundguy with having to put up with our featured talent for an entire night and give him a slap on the back and $25. Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 Most sound guys around here are getting $100-150 a night to run sound on a house system ($350-$500 if they bring their own). From what you're saying you expect to make, he's making more that you, assuming you're a 4 or 5 piece. We get $2500 a night with house sound provided and don't tip, and they do a great job, and we have great relationships with them.I wouldn't worry about tipping. In lieu of a tip, do whatever he asks and make his life as easy as possible. Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wally Malone Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 What Phil said, in many cases the sound man takes home more than the individual musicians. Wally I have basses to play, places to be and good music to make! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b5pilot Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 Let's say you are playing a gig that has nice house sound and a decent sound guy. You play for the door but expect to bring in $400-$500 for the band. Do you tip the sound guy? How much? When do you tip him? Seems to me, it would be good idea to tip before the gig... At the end of a gig and the sound was good I'd tell him and maybe buy him a drink but tip? Not if he's getting paid by the house (and probably paid better than we are). Normally though we supply our own sound system. Lydian mode? The only mode I know has the words "pie ala" in front of it. http://www.myspace.com/theeldoradosband Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffinator Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 In lieu of a tip, do whatever he asks and make his life as easy as possible. This. Emphatically. A bunch of loud, obnoxious music I USED to make with friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 Usually at the end of the night I thank the sound man for doing such a good job and putting up with all the prima donnas in the band. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Brown Posted March 17, 2012 Author Share Posted March 17, 2012 Thanks for the advice everyone. This was just something I had not given much thought. I ended up just doing what he asked of me. Set my volume. Did sound check (8 seconds worth). Checked vocal mic and played. Said thank you and shook his hand and said he did nice job. Went home. "When I take a stroll down Jackass Lane it is usually to see someone that is already there" Mrs. Brown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cthulhu Fhtagn Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 Thanks for the advice everyone. This was just something I had not given much thought. I ended up just doing what he asked of me. Set my volume. Did sound check (8 seconds worth). Checked vocal mic and played. Said thank you and shook his hand and said he did nice job. Went home. 8 SECONDS!!!!! Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 Thanks for the advice everyone. This was just something I had not given much thought. I ended up just doing what he asked of me. Set my volume. Did sound check (8 seconds worth). ..... 8 SECONDS!!!!! I tell my students who are getting ready to record for the first time or play a show with a sound system that they will be asked to arrive at a certain time and then the first hour (at least) will be spent getting a drum sound. When it is the bassist's turn, the engineer will have you play about ten notes and then will say, "got it". All they really care about is setting a level. "Your sound" is rarely taken into consideration. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cthulhu Fhtagn Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 Yeah, I know. But I've seen Mr. Acousitc Guitar spend over an hour tweeking. "too tinny" "too boomy" "too much mid range honk" And we still can't get the volume and tone right. Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 Thanks for the advice everyone. This was just something I had not given much thought. I ended up just doing what he asked of me. Set my volume. Did sound check (8 seconds worth). ..... 8 SECONDS!!!!! I tell my students who are getting ready to record for the first time or play a show with a sound system that they will be asked to arrive at a certain time and then the first hour (at least) will be spent getting a drum sound. When it is the bassist's turn, the engineer will have you play about ten notes and then will say, "got it". All they really care about is setting a level. "Your sound" is rarely taken into consideration. No one wants to hear a bass solo. Not even the soundman. 8 seconds is a hell of a long time. What on earth did you play for that long. Feel the groove internally within your own creativity. - fingertalkin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Brown Posted March 17, 2012 Author Share Posted March 17, 2012 4 notes walking up each string... then he comes across the PA saying "got it'.... ok with me. "When I take a stroll down Jackass Lane it is usually to see someone that is already there" Mrs. Brown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 That's got to be the best part of being a bass player: "These are the notes I will be playing tonight. They may be in a different order but they'll still sound the same. Where's the bar?" Feel the groove internally within your own creativity. - fingertalkin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Daddy from Motown Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 You've got to be kidding, you're playing for the door, the sound guy is already getting paid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddiePlaysBass Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 4 notes walking up each string... then he comes across the PA saying "got it'.... ok with me. Yep. In the beginning I was worried about what to play during sound check. Now I just play an arpeggio from the low B to the high G string, nod and put away my bass until it's time to play. "I'm a work in progress." Micky Barnes The Ross Brown Shirt World Tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Brown Posted March 18, 2012 Author Share Posted March 18, 2012 I see guys do all kinds of nonsense that is cool but never shows up in the show. I guess it the only chance to show off. "When I take a stroll down Jackass Lane it is usually to see someone that is already there" Mrs. Brown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 To an empty room? Feel the groove internally within your own creativity. - fingertalkin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Brown Posted March 18, 2012 Author Share Posted March 18, 2012 To an empty room? Often occurs right before the band starts.... I am talking bar gigs, etc in this instance... "When I take a stroll down Jackass Lane it is usually to see someone that is already there" Mrs. Brown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cthulhu Fhtagn Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 To an empty room? There's people there. No one is listenting unless you get an earth-shattering peel of feedback. Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brocko777 Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 Yeah, a friendly greeting and whatever needs to be done to get a great FOH sound are my 'tips'. Sound guys walk out with a nice padding in their pockets after a gig in my areas. One more note, TIPS is an acronym in the service industry... T- To I- Insure P- Prompt S- Service Musicians might look at it as... To Insure Professional Sound The whole honey and vinegar thing comes to mind BUT you also need a guitar player that listens too! Brocko Don't have a job you don't enjoy. If you're happy in what you're doing, you'll like yourself, you'll have inner peace. ~ Johnny Carson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenstrum Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 There's a local sound guy, who the first time I played at the club where he does sound, never had me do a sound check at all. He had me dialed in 3 seconds into the first song. I had several former band mates comment that they could hear every note I played. I have never questioned him ever about what he wanted me to do. He rocks and he gets paid very well. Tenstrum "Paranoid? Probably. But just because you're paranoid doesn't mean there isn't an invisible demon about to eat your face." Harry Dresden, Storm Front Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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