Song Fight Presents in Pennsylvania- April 1, 2006

Eric Y. · Post by **Eric Y.** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 2:28 pm

Bjam wrote:I'll let stueym answer the question about the PA system/amp/stuff that makes stuff sound loud as I have no idea what the hell we're bringing.

okay...

stueym · Post by **stueym** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 4:08 pm

tviyh wrote:yes: i am bringing my own bass, but i was wondering about amplification. what kind of set-up do you have planned in terms of a PA system? mostly i guess what i am wondering is, would you be able to accomodate me if i wanted to bring my own amp (actually a smallish 50W guitar amp) and stick it offstage with a microphone (i'd bring that too)? if this sounds like a problem, i could possibly alter my plans (but are you intending to have a bass amp onhand, in that case?)

oh yeah, and also, i have two 12" wedge floor monitors -- not sure if the stage area is big enough to worry about a monitor system or not though. but if you needed, i might possibly be able to just barely squeeze them in along with everything else. maybe.

Okay...We have a 35W Ibanez Bass Combo (SW35) that should do the trick for you. Bjam's practice amp, needless to say barely used so the speaker will be nice and tight LOL. I will gladly accept the swap out of the Bass combo for the 2 x floor monitors as I would like to run monitoring and only have 2 wedges for main amplification right now.

For everyone else, more gear posting to follow to confirm what we have available and what we might need extra. I also need declarations of exactly what everyone needs/expects for their set.

I know Bjam pm'd most folks but I'd like to avoid disappointment if at all possible and remember we are guy/gal & guitar recording musicians not regular-gigging five piece band band.

Bjam · Post by **Bjam** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 4:27 pm

Want to bring your laptop and check your e-mail/go online while you're in Wayne? You should check out http://cafeprocopio.com/

HeuristicsInc · Post by **HeuristicsInc** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 10:45 pm

wayne hotel also has free internet, but it looks like it's wired only. is it just me, or do you want to call it the "wayne manor"?
-bill

stueym · Post by **stueym** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 10:51 pm

Okay here is the potential stage layout for the Songfight! Presents Wayne PA (SFPWPA).

We'll probably have to do some degree of cable tugging for individual sessions but this set-up should allow us to cover everything from G&G to 5 piece band.

Bjam and I have two amps for Bass and E-Guitar.
Bass-Ibanez SW35
Guitar-Vox Valvetronix AD15VT

I aim to DI both these into the PA. If you want to bring your own stack, feel free and we'll just have to manage the stage space. If you want it mic'd then bring a suitable dynamic mic (Shure SM57 etc.)

There will be a stereo pair for a keyboard/synth/anything else and a single mono line-in for a computer output feed per Reactor's request. If you are bringing anything more complex than this (more than one keyboard/drum machines) make sure to bring a submixer that will provide a total feed for a stereo pair.

3 on-stage front mic's for vocals one of which will be a C1000S condensor for mic'ing of guitar/other acoustic instrument. If this is used for an isntrument this would reduce the number of vocal mic's to two but we could replumb cabling by stealing another of the balanced inputs and elminating another feed.

Recording will be two lines direct from the PA and a single condensor room mic for audience sound/room ambience. This will allow me to record three tracks/performance into Bjam's laptop on Cubase. Each performance set will then be saved off onto a portable HD to make sure we don't end up with the mamoth superfiles. We aim to mix/master these as soon as possible after the event and get them hosted up.

Bjam's iPod will offer up shuffle SF selections during downtime to keep the audience chirpy!

Please look at this arrangement and work out how your set-up is going to work with this. Please let Bjam or I know ASAP:

1.) How you think you will be using what's available so we can plan stage set-up and strike for each set?
2.) What you will need/be bringing in addition?

bz£ · Post by **bz£** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 11:05 pm

Ah, stately Wayne Manor, set back on a hill overlooking Spread Eagle Village. Only in PA!

Speaking of PA, here are my suggestions. Assuming nobody's really loud, you might not even need to mike the amps. We didn't in Boston and I don't think either was ever turned up past three or four. O'course that kind of hurts if you want to record the monitor mix but you'd probably get a better recording from separate mikes in the house somewhere anyways. Oh, I guess that's what you're doing with the room mike into channel one of the 428.

There should be a bucket full of ice and beer bottles somewhere within arm's reach of the drum kit. Is that the green circle at the top?

One more line for a DI next to the computer would be useful, mainly for a second guitar. Meeeeeeeestah Spahkle! There aren't any spare inputs to the mixer but if you cut out lines from the amps, then you free up a few. Or maybe just one: if you have to choose I'd say keep a line from the bass guitar into the mixer. The point, I guess, is that "two guitars plus bass" is likely to be a common request.

Nobody's gonna bring a full stack.

It'd be overpowering anyway.

(edit) Actually, now that I think about it, the keyboard amp has a balanced out and I bet we were using it, but I'm almost certain the other amp wasn't connected to anything (except a guitar here and there). Remember, I was drinking heavily while other people worried about the mixing.

Eric Y. · Post by **Eric Y.** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 2:43 pm

Bjam wrote:Schedule:

Saturday: From 9am onwards Iâ€™ll be up, but Iâ€™m at work from 10-4. Iâ€™ll probably be practicing my set, so if you want to swing by, feel free to. (I work 5 minutes from the venue)

Rather than driving so many hours really early in the morning and being exhausted by showtime, we've decided to come most of the way out Friday evening, stop at the first cheap place we see along the turnpike that's within an hour or so of philly, and therefore be all rested and showered and whatnot Saturday morning.

So my question is: if the place will be open for rehearsing at 3pm, does anybody have plans before that for eating lunch or hanging out or something? Does anybody intend to make plans for such?

Niveous · Post by **Niveous** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 2:58 pm

Dang straight, TVIYH. I'm heading to Philly early that day so lunch plans would rock. (Maybe even the day before mattering on what my friend Dixie is doing)

Is anyone still figuring out their lodgings like I am. I'm most likely staying in King of Prussia (again mattering on Dixie) but I just hate having to spend 70 bucks on a place that I'm probably only using for a few hours.

Anyone hanging around the Philly area the next day? I am (again mattering on Dixie just what I'm doing).

Damnit, I really need to talk to Dixie.

stueym · Post by **stueym** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 6:27 pm

LOL...thats a lot of "depending on's" Niv.

I'll be around all day and happy to serve as 'taxi' on saturday and what not until it's time to go to the venue and set-up. Actually the helping hands will minimize set-up time and maximize practice/drinking/hanging around times.

Lunch is a for sure and there are a ton of places for us to choose to eat in Wayne. Friday, my plans are to be in the area, but it will be a work day for me until the afternoon. Evening is absolutely fine and actually Bjam has found a new open mic venue that has opened which could offer a chance for folks to tune up their "pipes" and get over opening night jitters if they want....or just hang out. Many places to eat and drink/hang-out in Wayne and its pleasant suburbia olde-towne area and a small cinema there on Lancaster Avenue opposite the venue.

Over by King of Prussia (Motel 6) there is of course the Mall, open until 10:00 pm usually and there is a major cinema complex (Regal) that you can find on Fandango.com that has every current release. Right by the Motel 6 there are a couple of restaurants and plenty more within 5 mins drive/stagger. 202 is not very pedestrian friendly however so walking across to the Mall/Movie theater is not reccomended unless you are very brave/reckless.

Please ask if there is anything else you'd like to know.

feldspar · Post by **feldspar** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 11:18 pm

Hey, do you know if there's any public transportation/taxis or any way to get to the Motel 6 without walking after the show?

Or, alternately, are there any friendly souls who are heading over there who'd be willing to give me, my girlfriend, and my guitar a lift?

Bjam · Post by **Bjam** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 12:12 am

You so don't want to walk all that way. We can probably give you a ride if you need one.

stueym · Post by **stueym** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:46 am

Bjam wrote:You so don't want to walk all that way. We can probably give you a ride if you need one.

Yeah definitely not. It would be a fair hike and we would not see you guys do that. Once gear is stowed and run back to our place, the Miller Taxi service will be in operation

My reccomendation is while I and any kindly souls who wish to help me, get the gear back to our place, that Bjam and those left will walk upto to Minella's (nice diner that is open 24 hours) and hang there eating pie and coffee until I come back and shuttle those left to their bed locations. Nice way to decompress after the show

Brick Pig · Post by **Brick Pig** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 11:07 am

stueym wrote: I'll be around all day and happy to serve as 'taxi' on saturday and what not until it's time to go to the venue and set-up. Actually the helping hands will minimize set-up time and maximize practice/drinking/hanging around times.

Just to calrify:
Set-up begins at 3, right? With p/d/h time following?

As I said in my response to bjam's PM, I'm pretty much available to come any time (completely independent of Dixie, I might add), and I'd be happy to help out with set-up and whatnot.

HeuristicsInc · Post by **HeuristicsInc** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 12:11 pm

how big is that stage, anyway?
i'm going to need a table to put my stuff on. synth and controller, laptop, guitar (yeah, i plan to play it horizontal-like).
do i need to bring the table?
-bill

stueym · Post by **stueym** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 12:47 pm

HeuristicsInc wrote:how big is that stage, anyway?
i'm going to need a table to put my stuff on. synth and controller, laptop, guitar (yeah, i plan to play it horizontal-like).
do i need to bring the table?
-bill

The Stage is virtual Bill (there is no stage.....just like there is no spoon!) So everything is at floor level and spreading out will not be a problem. Table will not be a problem either and we will be able to accomodate the Hammond B3, Worlitzer and full grand Piano I am sure you are bringing

HeuristicsInc · Post by **HeuristicsInc** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 2:51 pm

What about the pipe organ?
-bill

bz£ · Post by **bz£** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 3:11 pm

There's a space for the pipe organ right next to the beer cooler, which is good because I was planning to whack the pipes with a drumstick for special effect sounds. We may have to hang the theremin from the ceiling, though, and I bet it will look cool when you dance like a gospel choir to play it.

Niveous · Post by **Niveous** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 7:38 pm

It's an a church. We SO need a gospel choir. I can play Gangsta's Paradise. Anyone wanna do some Coolio?

Bjam · Post by **Bjam** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 8:57 pm

It's basically a big room. A biiig rectangular room. It's kinda like the 'community center' of the church apart from the actual worshipy area. They're a pretty cool church actually, fairly liberal. There are tables and chairs and sofas. The sofas are real comfy.

I <3 Gangstas Paradise, but I think a 16 year old girl singing it, might be a little... odd.

If anybody is around Friday night and want to go to dinner or anything, drop me a line.

Eric Y. · Post by **Eric Y.** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 9:01 pm

Niveous wrote:I can play Gangsta's Paradise. Anyone wanna do some Coolio?

it just so happens i know the bassline from the chorus... the rest of the song is really simple... i love this idea.

HeuristicsInc · Post by **HeuristicsInc** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 9:52 pm

we won't be there until saturday. i guess this is a good time to ask "the band" if we will be rehearsing together. when will you guys be getting there?
-bill

adjuster · Post by **adjuster** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 4:03 pm

I actually bothered to get on and read the board. I'm PM'ing everybody that offered to play w/ me on "Too Goth To Rock" in just a sec w/ lyrics, chords, general banter. If it doesn't come together I'm not going to be heartbroken-- I waited, like, forever to re-learn the song so that I could write this up.

I'm gonna be around on Friday from noon or so on. Lunching and hanging out would be cool. Likewise, I'd be into any kind of songfighter "dinner" thing that might happen Friday evening.

I'm staying up in King of Prussia at the "Homestead" (it was cheap-- hope it doesn't suck too bad). I'm still planning on bringing the drum kit (haven't heard otherwise), so I won't have a lot of space in the car for ferrying people around on Friday.

I'll bring the drum kit to the venue at 3PM on Saturday unless I hear differently from anybody that I should bring it earlier. I'll help setup, and either my GF or I can do taxi service w/ my car if we need that.

I'm gonna re-pack the drum kit back into the car after the show, so I won't really have much taxi-service room, but I'll try to help somebody out if somebody needs a ride.

We're gonna stay around the Philly area on Sunday and try and find something "touristy" to do (Eastern State Penn., at the least).

Song Fight Presents in Pennsylvania- April 1, 2006

Alright alright...