Setting Up - Concert and Load Out

A behind the scenes look at the things involved in doing a concert in a ballroom setting. Sound system, sound check, and lighting set up. Backline set up. Show prep. Tear down (AKA Strike) and load out. A look at the stage from onstage and at all of the various worlds involved in building a show and making it happen before the audience arrives.
Digico console at Front of House. Avid SC48 console in monitor world. Ultra Arc II followspots. Grandma lighting console. Mostly Chauvet Pro lighting (R2 Wash, R2 Spot, Strike fixtures, Maverick fixtures).
For this show, I wanted to get more detail versus throughout the day versus time-lapse footage. This video is an educational and informative look at the things that go into making a music show happen.
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►Patreon Page where Patrons have access to script files, other PDF tutorials, Behringer X32/M32/XR18/MR18 channel and scene files, and other audio production information:
/ alanhamiltonaudio
~~~~~~~
►►Amazon Affiliate Links To Equip Used/Shown/Mentioned In Video-
►LyxPro 4 Channel 3 Pin Multi Network XLR Cable Breakouts /Break-ins for Stage Sound Lighting and Recording Studio - Male and Female to RJ45 Ethercon on Amazon:
amzn.to/3qOmQy5
►Elite Core SUPERCAT5E | Ultra-Durable Shielded CAT5E | Tactical Ethernet Connectors on Amazon:
amzn.to/3FSzKPU
Equipment used to make video:
►Sony ZV1 Camera on Amazon:
amzn.to/3HJWd3f
►ULANZI MT-33 Camera Tripod,Flexible Mini Tripod on Amazon:
amzn.to/3iDLL2P
► Neewer Camera Slider Carbon Fiber Dolly Rail on Amazon:
amzn.to/3tPpypk
"As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases."
~~~~~~~
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►Facebook Group:
/ livesoundproduction
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#LiveSound
#AlanHamiltonAudio
#XLR
#ConcertSetup
0:00 Intro
0:07 Initial PA and Lighting Setup
0:16 Amplifier Demo
0:35 Look at Stage / Lip Fills
0:55 Band Load In
2:07 Pre Show Stage Walk Thru
3:45 Showtime!
4:35 Load Out
5:16 Various Clips From Concert

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

A behind the scenes look at another concert... The load in and out... Equipment... A look at the deck pre-show. ..Cable runs. ...Backline. As always, likes, subscribes, and sharing the video on social media are appreciated. Likes really helps to get YT to promote the video. Leave any questions or comments here. :) ~~~~~~~ ►Patreon Page where Patrons have access to script files, other PDF tutorials, Behringer X32/M32/XR18/MR18 channel and scene files, and other audio production information: www.patreon.com/AlanHamiltonAudio ~~~~~~~ ►►Amazon Affiliate Links To Equip Used/Shown/Mentioned In Video- ►LyxPro 4 Channel 3 Pin Multi Network XLR Cable Breakouts /Break-ins for Stage Sound Lighting and Recording Studio - Male and Female to RJ45 Ethercon on Amazon: amzn.to/3qOmQy5 ►Elite Core SUPERCAT5E | Ultra-Durable Shielded CAT5E | Tactical Ethernet Connectors on Amazon: amzn.to/3FSzKPU Equipment used to make video: ►Sony ZV1 Camera on Amazon: amzn.to/3HJWd3f ►ULANZI MT-33 Camera Tripod,Flexible Mini Tripod on Amazon: amzn.to/3iDLL2P ► Neewer Camera Slider Carbon Fiber Dolly Rail on Amazon: amzn.to/3tPpypk "As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases." ~~~~~~~ Suggested videos: ►Analog Audio over Ethernet: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIiZlGeIhLaVgsU ►►Popular videos: ►Five Typical Mistakes Made By Behringer X32 Users kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoGalYJoj8ZpmNk ►Five Typical Mistakes Made By Behringer XR18 Users kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5rPh3emaJ50b8k ►►Other Cable Information series videos: ►Connecting an MP3 Player to a Mixer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5rEpqp8equYlc0 ►Cable Management For Live Audio: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIq9aqGohaymrdE ►Patch Order and Input Lists For Live Sound: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHaVfIWgbdt4e8U ►►Other Mixing series videos: ►5 Tips for Better Live Vocal Mixes: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYGXpJemoNCBnrs ►Mixing Live Bass Guitar: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fH_EaJSsmLqIia8 ►How to EQ a Kick Drum: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYLKYpJjj69ng7c ►How to EQ a Snare Drum: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJC6dGluq96bqpY ►How to EQ Toms: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pISve6Skoa-YbJI

[@joemabry9643]

All the stuff no one ever sees. One hour of show equals 12 hours of work! Thank you!

[@seanwalsh999]

How the magic happens, hard work and preparation. Thanks for crisp, fast paced editing, well done.

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Thank you too!

[@proehm]

Set, show, strike - One day. Ah, memories. (Bad memories...)

[@ChrisCebelenski]

Nice neat and organized. My goal usually is no drama and no injuries. In my experience the first cause of drama is lack of preparation and lack of space. Nice to see so much available space for racks and cable runs.

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Yes. Definitely. And a well lit space for working in is always nice too as for making things easier and safer. This venue also has a conference room that is dedicated to dead cases on show weekends which helps keep things clear too.

[@Itsdlacey1]

Great work guys. How on earth do you keep your stages to tidy (from cables)? These videos are great. Keep them coming!!

[@jamessullenriot]

Whenever I see things like this I can't help but thinking all of the moving parts and pay that goes into a show. You got the artist and players that everyone sees on stage, but the crew behind the scenes as well. Fans show up for a few hours, but there is so much that goes into setting up for just those few hours.

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Exactly right. That's one reason I wanted to include a few time stamps in the video, and that last shot of the room after everything has been struck. It really puts it into context what all goes into an event on the production side just in that day. And that doesn't even include off-site production prep and packing, the booking of the talent, tour logistics, promotion, ticket sales, hospitality, security, etc... It's not just audio, lighting, and performance that are part of the moving pieces.

[@jamessullenriot]

@@AlanHamiltonAudio Exactly, I always wonder what band get paid, and then, what are they left with after paying everyone in the production. Not so much arena or stadiums bands, but what the 1k - 5k seat places pay out. I know you need less for the production, but as you can see here, even with less, that is still quite a bit.

[@rolandalston542]

I was thinking the same thing watching this! The crew (and I mean everyone from the band's crew to the venue's crew and contractors) usually don't get a shout out at the end of the show and nothing would happen without them. Though, I have had a couple of performers, at festivals, give me kudos for the setup, but it is rare. Thanks for another great video, Alan!

[@jasonbrentongore]

Enjoy your content! Thanks!!!

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Thanks for watching and commenting! :)

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

0:00 Intro 0:07 Initial PA and Lighting Setup 0:16 Amplifier Demo 0:35 Look at Stage / Lip Fills 0:55 Band Load In 2:07 Pre Show Stage Walk Thru 3:45 Showtime! 4:35 Load Out 5:16 Various Clips From Concert

[@chrisdaniels1738]

I worked a Clint Black show at Corbin Ky expo, great crew.

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Definitely a good bunch to work with. Very solid and chill. 🙂

[@chrisdaniels1738]

@@AlanHamiltonAudio Just worked Molly Hatchet / Blackfoot at Corbin and will be working TQL center for the upcoming The Who show. Gotta love the LIVE Entertainment gigs.

[@kankantandikaigorotan1496]

Wow very neat srt up

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Thanks for watching and commenting! :)

[@RDZ770]

line arrays the way to go ❌ line arrays the only way to go ✅

[@DrnkTheWildAir]

Hi Al. 🙋🏻‍♀️❤️ Sharing!

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Thanks Cindy!!

[@daviddurnill511]

Now walk through showing all the areas

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Next up: A tour of catering! ;)

[@fireside007]

STAGE ELECTRICIAN . . . YOU ~ ROCK ! ! 🤛

[@josephfrechette9916]

I used to know someone who worked at a large outdoor amphitheater. Some shows he would start at 10am and wouldn't get out until 3am the next morning. On one occasion they anticipated alot of people trying to crash the gates. So they set up extra police around the front and sides and left the baxkarea where there was a series of walls seemingly unguarded. People were literally trying to scale the wall like it was a midevil castle. The few that made it over were confronted by security and told they could stay at the top of the lawn for the whole show. If they tried leaving the lawn before the show was over they would be arrested for trespassing. Out of all the shows he went to he never saw someone try sneaking in twice. He said some of the musicians were cool and gave security permission to "accidently" let in local fans who were broke and consider them one of the bands personal passes. Those people were also sent to the lawn and couldn't enter the seating area unless they were leaving.

[@Mixedbypalma]

I spy VTC Pro Audio 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽

[@petercallenjr]

The use of yellow gaffe tape for the safety of the backstage guests is a great little detail that the client/s I'm sure noticed it.. I used to do this on occasion too! Screen is way too low tho!

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Yellow tape... rope rights strategically placed backstage too. All good safety ideas. The video wall is part of the band's own equip they were traveling with. So, it's deployed how they wanted it. Or probably said better, the most logistically and safe way possible for an efficient in/out on their end of things without reinventing the wheel for a one-off.

[@TheRealBKSchyster]

Hi Alan!!!!! As always, a great video for sure!!!!! I love the Digico Quantum console!!!!! My current choice of Digital FOH mixer is an "A & H" "ILIVE!!" I of course really prefer my "SC" "Series two" for Monitors, yeahh, yeah... I know in the grander scheme of things, it is an Analog console!!! But considering that the compression/limiting/gating and effects are veryyyyyyy minimal and believe it or not, configuring that console to run Monitors is relatively easy and a snap to shoot the sends out to EQ's!!!! Sooooo, I really believe that the money, as far as Digital consoles go, is better spent in FOH, where a shit-ton of outboard gear is not needed!!!! ANYWAY, KEEP ON KEEPING ON BROTHER ENGINEER!!!!!!!!!! PEACE!!!!!!!!!! 🤘🏻

[@giovannimercuri5168]

Great video, thanks for sharing. What was used for the main PA hangs and subs?

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

VTC (Yorkville). Subs under the deck. 4 hangs because the seating more or less surrounds the stage so it needs wide USR and USL hangs along with the more normal DSR and DSL hangs for full coverage. Technically, I set it up as 4 zones and let the BE tell me how they want it. Some want the US hangs tied together and they put them on a matrix. Some just have me tie left hangs together, and the right hangs together and just go with that with a standard stereo rig. I Y the inputs together to start out for testing, and adjust accordingly for that they want, since it's super fast to change at the inputs.

[@2m0nster]

👍🙏

[@christothegreat1]

Alan, Which roles did you have responsibility for doing, vs which roles did the group take on?

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

The band had backline, ear rig, and consoles. DS lighting was me. Truss was all me, but they had an US package they hung. House PA was all me. Normally, I'd have Elation Sixpar 200IP's DS (along with lekos and audience abuse), but since they were bringing in their own R2 Washes, I moved 8 of my R2 Washes to the DS along with a few R2 Spots and the Strikes (serving the role as moles). Spots and scaff were mine too.

[@jamesreyes4654]

How much did that one show cost? 😳

[@MrAdam944]

Hello!!!! How much estimated ball park would this cost if this were to be done at a college arena? I am looking to do a budget concert, but I'd still like maybe 30 lights or so. They don't have to be too high up, but I don't want them directly in front of peoples faces.

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

It's really hard to say because there are so many unknown variables from one gig to the next. Venue access, ease of load in (loading dock, no dock, or stairs? Short push or long push? Straight to stage or maze of hallways and ramps to the stage?), time available, available power... tech requirements of the talent... venue size and audience size... Questions of whether a stage is already in the venue or required to be included as part of the production build.

[@isettech]

I prefer setting up and running production at a fair. Setup and have acts all week, then teardown. A two hour show is a lot of work and expense. Nice to get an all day, weekend, or week gig.

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Oh yeah... multi-day event. Even better if there are only 1 or 2 acts per day with the stage dark for most of the morning and afternoon! :) ...Versus multi-band festivals each day going live at noon...

[@isettech]

@@AlanHamiltonAudio It gets busy when you start live at 11 AM and have acts till 9PM. We had 2 sound engineers, one FOH and one on Mons, I was on Lights and filled in on sound for the engineers to take breaks and eat. During the day the light guy isn't busy. The evening show is when everyone is busy.

[@bonfestejo4370]

what FOH speakers did you use

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

VTC

[@7xchad]

Supplied 3 phase power?!?! I wish venues here would get with the times. I've been had to pack extra breakers before, cut the plug off my power stingers, and tie straight into the electrical panel before just to get enough power to run sound+lights+band equipment. At best we get Nema 14-50 shore power or California twist 2 leg 50 amp.

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

This venue has two 3P services in the ballroom. Pretty handy, although one of them is quite a ways from the stage and takes a LOT of feeder...

[@Scared390]

Studio set up

[@imsuperthicc8490]

This definitely looks like a casino gig

[@MichaelNatrin]

Nice BTS video.

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Thanks!

[@dougaltolan3017]

As time served stage crew, the jump cut from full truck to built stage is somewhat, err, disappointing. The end of the video does have a tiny nod to the fact that boxes don't move themselves...

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

You're not wrong! There is a little more of that in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2PHe6VrnLdqbck Besides cases rolling in/out and a timelapse, there's also a couple of shots of cases ready for trucks. But for one thing, I'm kind of limited in getting shots of the cases actually going on the trucks because I'm calling the pack out and trying to keep the cases in order at that point. And for this venue, there's no good place to set a camera on a tripod to just let it roll and it be out of the way. Heh... although I guess I could mount a GoPro up high in the nose of the box and just let it roll until the battery dies... and retrieve it when the truck gets unpacked ;)

[@crud118]

Is that a Yorkville VTC PA?

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Yes.

[@crud118]

@@AlanHamiltonAudio Do you like them? Did you have the matching subs?

[@TimmyP1955]

"Analog audio over Ethernet between amp racks." I think you meant to say "...over Cat...". 🙂

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

DOH! Close... I meant to say "Ethernet Cables...". If you're watching on PC there's a link (card) that pops up in the top right corner linking to the video about it where it says "...ethernet cables..." and the text box should've matched that... OOPS! Good catch... No way to fix it now though. :(

[@jack3400]

What subwoofer are used? (Brand and model)

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Those are Yorkville LS1208.

[@bozz3002]

how can you have a concert with everybody sitting down .. what the hell

[@yungifez]

You are going places Mind me hitting you up on any of your socials?

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Sure thing! Thanks!

[@institutorockaoantigo]

Where were the drums overhead mics?

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

I believe for this show they used mics under the cymbals

[@institutorockaoantigo]

Thanks for the reply! Good to know! I'll research further about this technique. Thanks for all the amazing material on the subject, you're a hell of a teacher!

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

@@institutorockaoantigo Thank you! :)

[@liljohnnie69]

Went to a show last night and the sound for the opening act was terrible, if the singer got more than 2 inches from his mic no one could hear him. Second act absolutely sent it though.

[@dcurry7287]

Often times the opener will be local and it will be whoever's mixing that band's first time hearing them, versus mixing the band they tour with every night.

[@liljohnnie69]

@@dcurry7287 it was Confederate Railroad who's sound was bad and the Kentucky Headhunters who's sound was awesome. Don't know who was running sound but they should have walked out front to hear the mix.

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

I've worked with both of those bands in the last few years, and in both cases, they had their own soundman. Of course it's possible for a one-off that CR wouldn't have had their own person with them and used the system tech. But that said, Steve always does a great job with the KHH's.

[@11ELeVeNthiRtYFouR34]

I work at a major venue and never heard a stage skirt called a lip fill 🤔

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

The lip fills are the downstage fills... small speakers on the downstate edge.

[@11ELeVeNthiRtYFouR34]

That makes sense I don’t do audio. Oops

[@simonrussell4986]

Avoid bordering your thumbnail in red - makes it look like it's been watched in KZbin recommendations :)

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Great point! I just changed it, and a couple of others that were easy to do while I was at it.

[@simonrussell4986]

@@AlanHamiltonAudio Cool - I normally scroll by if there's red at the bottom, but the "3 hours ago" stopped me. Added it to watch later for this evening

[@RonaldFigura]

How about some narration?

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

I did another Behind the Scenes of a gig video that I uploaded today and added narration to this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmG7dY2KrdWNfLM I had more time when shooting it to plan some of the shots and narrative for the video.

[@adamsonlinearrayspeakersha87]

.