Re: What Is in a "Pro Rig"?
- From: Benj <bjacoby@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2008 21:18:21 -0700 (PDT)
On Aug 28, 4:54 pm, The Bishop <Convery.Ke...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
How big an amp is pro? How big a cabinet? Are combos in any way
acceptable? Am I expected to have a direct box? If it's not rack-
mounted, is it "kiddy stuff"? Am I expected to show up with a certain
amount of cocaine and 2.3 groupies? (They DID say "pro".) What about
effects? Probably not, but what are your experiences? Has anyone ever
scoffed at your inability to whip out a synth-bass tone?
I think this whole "pro" thing has about as much latitude built in as
"art" or "delicious" or "pretty". Should I be putting black tape on
the brand name of my ZOOM gear?
All good questions. And yes you DO need black tape on the ZOOM gear
though they'll probably guess by the high noise level (especially if
older models).
I DO understand the "pro gear" thing. Hey, you guys know lots of
musicians, right? I've seen people play over the most hideous of gear
and think it's just fine. (It's all in the fingers, right?) I've seen
guys play instruments with loose output jacks just wreaking havoc and
holding the instrument funny all night to try to stop the static!
Apparently never heard of taking the wrong tool (pliers) and
tightening it up a bit. Yes, musicians, even PRO musicians are
legendary for being flakes. So "pro gear" is a condition in the same
class as not showing up to the gig stoned, not getting drunk on your
ass during the gig on free or otherwise drinks, being on time, being
reliable, helping the band set up etc. It really means we don't want a
musical flake.
But as to what "pro gear" actually is, you first have to ask what is a
"pro" attitude. Pretty simple. It's VERY business-like. They are
going to pay you to get a certain job done. And you are going to
provide what they want for the money. No whining. No complaints about
it not being "your" type of music. No egos. No being late. And
especially no not showing up at all. No prima donna stuff. Just
RESULTS with CASH expected in return. And as icing on the cake,
if you can't handle the gig or cut the charts or whatever, you just
tell them up front you can't do it. No trying to fake it.
Most of the Pros I've seen are very musically educated (usually far
beyond the level required for the gig) or at least very experienced
and can handle just about anything, but hey we all have our
limitations. So what is "pro gear". By now it should be obvious that
"pro gear" is gear that gets the job done. There is NO one "pro gear".
If you show up for a coffee house gig with an SVT 8 x 10 instead of a
real nice combo you ain't a pro. If you show up with some weak-ass
combo (no matter how much it cost) when a kilowatt is needed, then you
ain't getting it done. If the music calls for effects and you don't
have any, then why didn't you say "I don't play with effects" before
you even took the job? As for cocaine and 2-3 groupies usually that
is covered by the band's founding members. [go read the part again
about pros not showing up stoned and on time.] Now if you show up with
2-3 *roadies* THAT is a different thing! What band wouldn't want to
hire someone like that! :-)
.
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- Re: What Is in a "Pro Rig"?
- From: The Bishop
- Re: What Is in a "Pro Rig"?
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