Sound Engineers = W*nkers!

Having a slight right, sick to the back teeth of nightclub sound engineers being arsey because you want to use Traktor.

Unfortunately in the UK not many (if any) have Traktor / Serato interfaces pre installed, so its a case of setting up from scratchm and **** me, have I been getting some attitude of these 'little hitlers'

anyone else feel my pain? ha

 

If a nightclub has a sound engineer then it usually means:

a) they've got to setup for live bands (quite a difficult job and it really helps it they get arsey because otherwise egos take forever to tech up)

or

b) they've got the easiest job in the world and essentially do nothing

 

Yeah A few times. for sound engineers its a control thing and very very few Clubs employ actual sound engineers. Mostly they are just wannabes that saw a sound system once or twice and who now think they have a direct line to Fraunhofer Institute and Steve Dash of Phazon Sound fame.

To be fair though Many DJ are idYits when it comes to getting the sound right (Loud != Good) and a single connnection Pop on a system when turned way up can do thousands of dollars in damage. Still there is no excuse for the fascist attitude these clowns sometimes have. Many of these guys talk a good good game but few can actually play the sport and rely on old info and stereotypes for their information because its easier to denegrate the old than it is to acquire new more relevant info.

Just remind them the clock is ticking and like the dinosaurs in a former age their relevance and days are likely numbered.

 

HAHA. Nice post Phil. The only advantage I have with dealing with these guys is that I have my own extensive sound engineering experience.

This either lets me:
a) Get them onside if they are genuine engineers because they realize I know what I'm talking about.
b) Beat them at their own game since I will have far more knowledge than them.

I always try for (a) first as it always better to have a friend than a defeated enemy in most cases.

 

Its kind of ironic though, in my experience working with them, the wankers are those who actually know eFF All or are the really high end prima-donna types. In the first case they are terrified of someone showing them up and them loosing the little bit of control they have. In the latter case they are just total pricks: They know their **** and are pissed off that people won't give them credit for their skillz. sorry dudes but an arsehole with skills is still an arsehole, and gets none of my respect. I deal with them because I have to, not because I want to. Like you I quickly learn which guys to get onside and what their rules are. Massaging a little ego is worth it if it makes things easier.

 

usually this is due some people irresponsibly unplugging the decks rcas and causing a loud POP on the speaker (which can be very damaging) so i think they are just trying to do the right thing

i think the club should install one of those patch bays (i think allan and heath and magma make those) that splits the input and output and make them easily accessible

Most of the clubs over here have serato built-in to the system to avoid the plugging/unplugging thing

 

Patch bays are a must for any new booth build/renovation.

I was being given the run around by a sound boy (clearly not an engineer...) and just went to the promoter and said I cant play if I am not plugged in. He then did the relevant arse kicking for me while I had a rum and coke. Easiest dealing I have ever had as it turned out! haha

 

I must say from an organisers perspective it's a ball ache having people set up during the gig. Whenever possible we bring our artists in before the gig and get all sound cards/leads set up so change over between acts is as quick as possible and so you havent got people setting up during other artists sets.

Recently we did a gig with two guys using Traktor (one with turntables & one guy just using an x1) into someone using serato with midi controllers and three cdj 2000's, into the last act just using cdjs. so even to get rid of two turntables and make sure serato leads/midi **** is all go for the headliner while trying not to lose a floor is ****, let alone after having them play, having to pack down all that gear while the last act is on.

Gone are the days when all you needed to bring in was an extra deck or cdj :s