What takes you longer to set up? (Wedding)

[drzinc]

Your source, your speakers/amps or your lights. For me its my source. I can have my amp rack and speakers connected and sound coming out of them usually in 15 minutes, lights about the same time. the source is a bit more time more like 20 to 30 minutes. I also index my external drives the night before the keep my search times down.

[DJ Sunshine]

Your source, your speakers/amps or your lights. For me its my source. I can have my amp rack and speakers connected and sound coming out of them usually in 15 minutes, lights about the same time. the source is a bit more time more like 20 to 30 minutes. I also index my external drives the night before the keep my search times down.

Considering all I have at the moment is a source, it can sometimes be a problem. Mainly the subwoofer, as it can be kind of anal as to when it wants to work and when it doesn't :mad: Can't wait to actually put together a half-decent system.

[Silver Man]

My longest time is lights. My source is all contained in a single box (software indexes all music so no down time there.) I can have music playing and me talking on the mic in 15 minutes from the time I open my doors to unload. My lights take a while to do. I keep 8 LED pars on the T-bars hooked up, but I have to individually setup my 4 intel scanners. Then running the cables back to my lighting laptop. Here is is pic of my source rig (left) and lighting laptop (right). My monitor and computer are all mounted in my case. Take the lids off, plug speakers (active), plug power, go!
http://www.milbrand.com/DJ/Setup.jpg

[c-hawk]

Lights

[Badger]

The lights have taken the longest time, by far, in just about every mobile gig I've ever done. The only exceptions have been when there have been technical difficulties involving the audio.

:badger:

[akswun]

I agree with Lights. Especially if you're not using some system where its connected to a program on a laptop. We've been using garage door openers to control the 'on' and 'off'. But unpacking each one, getting them on the stands or truss', getting power to the truss', making sure all the bulbs are good, cranking them up... But when we do gigs theres pretty much one guy on sound, one on lights, and one on the gear getting ish connected.

[DJ ATX]

Whenever I do mobile gigs, its lighting. From setting up the truss to wiring it. Second to that would be taping cables down. Much like Silver Man, my source is in one case. All I have to do is set up stand, plug in the power source and speaker wire.

Here's my mobile set up:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/397571_329035910459949_113637858666423_1214289_771 997334_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/408777_329036197126587_113637858666423_1214295_126 4728714_n.jpg

[punky]

I don't do lights at my weddings, so usually, it's getting the computer and controllers all connected up that takes the longest.

[windspeed36]

I don't do lights at my weddings.

:facepalm:

[DJ Que Yi]

Source. I have to connect: SL3, mixers, computer, mics, 1200's. In what order do you all setup?

[RodneyL]

When I built my rig I had simplicity and speed in mind. I can go from truck to music in under 30 minutes. Then I have to tire down and strap down wires, which takes longer.

My biggest PITA was my truss and lights, but I scaled down to the 4bar and 4play over the winter and it is a breeze now.

[DJ Donnie Lewis]

uplighting can take as long as setting up my entire small setup

[Sween]

What takes the longest depends on the lighting package I sell.

Source - Laptop, Stand, CDJ/Controller/Mixer, Wireless Mic, Wired Mic, and 12 channel mixer - 15-20 minutes

Speakers/Subwoofers - 15-20 minutes

'Silver' Lighting - 15-20 minutes

'Gold' Lighting - 45-60 minutes (usually bring assistant)

'Platinum' Lighting - 60-90 minutes (always bring assistant)

Lighting packages described here http://www.futurescapesentertainment.com/lighting.htm

Also don't forget:

Load in - 15-20 minutes

Sound Check - 10-15 minutes

Just in Case Time - 30 minutes...

As you can see 2 hours is my minimum setup time, and 3 hours with Platinum. Ceremony setup would add an additional 30-45 minutes too.

[Nick_EventPro]

Lighting by far. My average setup is 4hrs. With 4 crew. Ive had as long as 8hr setups, and sometimes were lucky with only an hour or two. Audio usually only takes about 30 min or so if its all ground stacked.

[DJRockinRob]

Takes me about 30 minutes to setup. I usually get there about 45 minutes before I'm schduled to start. No point in showing up hours before an event is suppose to start.

[RodneyL]

Takes me about 30 minutes to setup. I usually get there about 45 minutes before I'm schduled to start. No point in showing up hours before an event is suppose to start.

:eek:

[Sween]

You're right... what's the point? :shrug:

No point in getting dressed up either... it's only a wedding.

[DJRockinRob]

I've been at this for over 40 years. I know pretty much everything there is to know.




GOD BLESS!!!!!

[Sween]

I've been at this for over 40 years. I know pretty much everything there is to know.

GOD BLESS!!!!!

Welcome to DJF2.0's new Dennis... (dropped the Have a Nice Day in favor of God Bless)

God Bless to you too.

[DJ Scotch]

uplighting can take as long as setting up my entire small setup



This!!

[DJ Scotch]

Takes me about 30 minutes to setup. I usually get there about 45 minutes before I'm schduled to start. No point in showing up hours before an event is suppose to start.

DJTrollingTroll

[Sween]

uplighting can take as long as setting up my entire small setup

What are you guys doing with uplighting that makes it take so long??? I can't imagine it taking that long unless you are DMXing them all together... (which I would never do without charging an arm and a leg, set and forget only)

[DJRoladecks]

What are you guys doing with uplighting that makes it take so long??? I can't imagine it taking that long unless you are DMXing them all together... (which I would never do without charging an arm and a leg, set and forget only)

Agreed, though I tend to take extra care of where I run just the power cords on my uplighting. Until I upgrade to the magical battery pucks there is never an outlet within two feet of where I want to place a can. So all extension cords are wrapped up nice and neat so grandma doesn't take a tumble.

[DJ Donnie Lewis]

What are you guys doing with uplighting that makes it take so long??? I can't imagine it taking that long unless you are DMXing them all together... (which I would never do without charging an arm and a leg, set and forget only)

We tape down every cord which is why it takes so long. Id say to place 30 uplights and tape them down it takes 45 minutes. add 15 minutes for the dmx too. If we werent taping the wireing down it would significantly reduce the setup time

[DJRockinRob]

I don't even do unlighting. Problem solved!

[DJ Scotch]

I don't even do unlighting. Problem solved!

Do you DJ or outsource that?

[DJRockinRob]

DJ Scotch, please elaborate

[Sween]

Do you DJ or outsource that?

He's been doing it for 40 years... he knows it all.

Have a nice day... I mean, God Bless...

[DJRockinRob]

I DJ.

Trying to make me look like a idiot Scotchy?


Good Bless!

[Sween]

Trying to make me look like a idiot Scotchy?


No, you do that well on your own.

[DJ Scotch]

I DJ.

Trying to make me look like a idiot Scotchy?


Good Bless!

I am not as good as you are! you have a natural talent :D

[DJ Donnie Lewis]

I am not as good as you are! you have a natural talent :D

lol. I love the Banned undertitle

[SummitAudioDJ]

My lighting takes 3 - 4x's as long as my sound to set up. In a perfect room uplighting would take 1/2 hour but in my area either half the outlets work or there are none where I need them. No real need to DMX the uplights in the dining area but I do link any that are close to or around the stage and dance floor to a simple controller for sound active use.