From nw@jump.net Mon May 01 01:41:40 2000
Subject:Re: [Voce] Live Gear Rig (and some questions)

Eamonn Flynn wrote:

> My other main problem is set up time and the mess of leads and
> (3) wall warts I have to deal with. I'm trying to figure out a way to
> shorten the time it takes to set up, keep the wall warts safe
> and reduce the mess of leads.

Re: reducing set up time. One simple idea that helps me a lot: get some electrical tape of various colors and color code all your cables (and their corresponding connection points).

At set-up time, you don't have to think, just match: "the blue plug goes to the blue connector" etc.
If you have a lot of cables, use color combos and/or shapes ("blue w/white stripe goes to blue w/white stripe").

This actually speeds me up quite a bit. Also, it is reassuring; I never get that "did I hook it up wrong" lingering doubt as I power up. In a time crunch, band mates can help out (and it is easy to verify their work!).

Re: mess. Tougher problem. I carry lots of velcro strips, and if I have time, I "dress" my cables after set up (i.e., make tidy bundles, strap cables to run along the legs of the stand, etc).

To the degree I can, I have customized my cables to make this easier/quicker. E.g., for my Roland A90 I use two footpedals (EV5 expression and the sustain pedal). I've semi-permanently bundled the cables for those two together with velcro and also put the opposite-sex velcro at strategic points on my stand. So during set-up I just run the cables along the leg of my stand, connecting the velcro (on the cables) to the velcro (on the stand) as I go. Instantly "dressed" cabling, with no mess -- nothing hanging loose, everything running in taut, straight lines along the stand (and thus practically invisible off stage). This works great for some things, not so well for others. A lot depends on how repeatable your physical layout is.

- neil

--
Neil Webber