Price packages
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"Workin' band's friend": $100.00
This is one of my most popular sound reinforcement packages. This is my budget package for bands gigging in the local Albuquerque area. In this package the band and myself split the equipment and work responsibilities. Since most bands already have
decent microphones, stands, cables and monitor wedges and the time to set it up, this package works out perfectly for both parties.
The band provides:
I provide all Front-of-House gear and everything that lives OFF the stage which will include:
Since most bands already possess decent monitors, microphones, cables and stands, this is usually a pretty good deal for both parties. We work together to keep your costs down and your sound quality way up.
I will require TWO hours setup time for this package and of course enough power to run it all (I won't bore you with power specifications - most clubs have enough power). I will also require permission from the club owner/manager to run an audio snake and possibly a power cord to a location at least 20' from center-stage and enough room for my sound board and outboard gear (usually one of the bar tables works just fine). I can work off-axis of the stage if necessary. Believe it or not, some club owners/managers still think sound can be run from the stage - ridiculous.
HUGE ISSUE: If the performance venue has a DJ, karaoke DJ, big-screen T.V. or some other equipment set up on the stage when I get there, this will impede my setup and will delay the start of the show. It will be up to you, the band leader/manager, to make sure I can take the stage, unimpeded, at least 2 hours prior to performance time.
Complete club package: $300.00 [For one band, up to 5 musicians]
I will provide the same equipment as listed in the
"Workin' band's friend"
package plus a complete monitor and microphone package which will include 4 JBL monitor wedges divided between FOUR mixes (most sound engineers only provide 2 mixes!), all microphones, cables, stands, etc.
For an extra $25.00, PROVIDING THERE IS ROOM, I will provide the drummer with a full-range, 2,500 watt, 215 cabinet, which will easily handle the kick drum (in the
"Complete club package"
he gets a floor wedge only). For the seriously hard-core player, I can provide 2 of these cabinets @ $25.00 per cabinet.
I will require THREE hours setup time for this package and of course enough power to run it all (I won't bore you with power specifications - most clubs have enough power). I will also require permission from the club owner/manager to run an audio snake and possibly a power cord to a location at least 20' from center-stage and enough room for my sound board and outboard gear (usually one of the bar tables works just fine). I can work off-axis of the stage if necessary. Believe it or not, some club owners/managers still think sound can be run from the stage - ridiculous.
HUGE ISSUE: If the performance venue has a DJ, karaoke DJ, big-screen T.V. or some other equipment set up on the stage when I get there, this will impede my setup and will delay the start of the show. It will be up to you, the band leader/manager, to make sure I can take the stage, unimpeded, at least 3 hours prior to performance time.
Multi-band club festival package: $500.00. [This package includes up to 3 bands within a 5 hour period (add $50.00 for each additional band or $100.00 for each additional hour)]
For $500.00 I will provide the same equipment as listed in the
"Complete club package"
plus a stage manager, which is absolutely necessary to facilitate a smooth transition between bands.
As with the previous package, I will require THREE hours setup time for this package and of course enough power to run it all (I won't bore you with power specifications - most clubs have enough power). I will also require permission from the club owner/manager to run an audio snake and possibly a power cord to a location at least 20' from center-stage and enough room for my sound board and outboard gear (usually one of the bar tables works just fine). I can work off-axis of the stage if necessary. Believe it or not, some club owners/managers still think sound can be run from the stage - ridiculous.
HUGE ISSUE: If the performance venue has a DJ, karaoke DJ, big-screen T.V. or some other equipment set up on the stage when I get there, this will impede my setup and will delay the start of the show. It will be up to you, the band leader/manager, to make sure I can take the stage, unimpeded, at least 3 hours prior to performance time.
6-10 piece band package: $500.00. [This package includes up to 10 musicians]
For $500.00 I will provide the same equipment as listed in the
"Multi-band club festival package"
plus extra microphones, stands, cables and extra wedges (if necessary).
With this package, I will require at least FOUR hours setup time (FIVE hours would be better) and of course enough power to run it all. About half the venues that hire large bands are logistcally and electrically illprepared to handle such an act. I will require venue personnel contact information AT LEAST 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO ENGAGEMENT so that I can work out these power and logistical issues. In addition I will also require permission from the venue owner/manager to run an audio snake and possibly a power cord to a location at least 30' front of center-stage and enough room for my sound board and outboard gear (4'x 6' table). I can work off-axis of the stage if necessary but I prefer not to. Believe it or not, some venue owners/managers/wedding planners still think sound can be run from the stage - ridiculous.
HUGE ISSUE: If the performance venue has a DJ, karaoke DJ, big-screen T.V., ice sculpture or some other crud set up on the stage - or there is no stage or power when I get there, this will impede my setup and will delay the start of the show. It will be up to you, the band leader/manager, to make sure I can take the stage, unimpeded, at least 3 hours prior to performance time.
1000 person outdoor system: $1000.00
Please note that I have purchased more equipment since this picture was taken. My small outdoor system is now all JBL, which includes 2, JBL SRX728s's and 4, JBL SRX&18s's. This translates to an additional 7,200 watts of power for a total of 21,600 watts.
Click image to enlarge
This package includes:
This package requires a non-refundable 50% deposit 30 days prior to performance unless other arrangements are made. Full payment will be due immediately following the first performance unless otherwise cleared before hand.
My requirements to insure a smooth-running, on-time show:
This type of show is an all-day affair for me, so I will require SIX hours setup time and of course enough power to run it all.
This includes at least 6, 20 amp, dedicated circuits for the main amps and 4, 20 amp circuits for monitor power amps TO BE RUN TO THE STAGE. Or some form of 200 amp service (or greater). I have a full compliment of power distribution equipment which can tie in to either cam lock or twist lock type interfaces.
Or I can provide a 62,000 watt generator. Anything less than this may cause power outages. I speak from experience.
You MUST provide a house electrician who knows where all power panels and access points are - preferrably a licensed Journeyman Electrician. Without providing such a person, I will spend hours hunting down breaker panels and power points. At the very least this person needs to have a working knowledge of electricity - someone who can answer electrical questions intelligently. DO NOT send me a janitor or "maintenance man." This will only cause problems which will ultimately delay the show.
I will also require a minimum of a 4' x 8' space for my Front-of-House equipment and an additional, dedicated 15 amp circuit for the F.O.H. gear. This space must be in a place that allows unimpeded sight of the band and main speakers and must be isolated from the general public either via a hard barrier (like a fence) or a soft barrier (like cones and caution tape). If the latter is used, a security guard should be provided to insure the general public does not compromise the isolation barrier. A 4' tall riser would be ideal. I will provide my own tables.
I will also require a safe route and cooperation from venue management to run an audio snake from the Front-of-House area to the stage. This route should be where people will not be walking. The venue must provide any cable trays or other safety equipment necessary to alleviate possible trip hazards caused by the audio snake. House personnel should be present to insure the audio snake route is agreeable with venue management.
If a fence or barrier is going to be set up around the stage, I must be allowed access to the stage without having to negotiate said barrier. If I have to tear down part of a fence or barrier to gain access to the stage, this will insure a late start of the show.
If any of these items can not be provided, this will seriously compromise the quality of the show. If I have to hunt these items down, this will delay the start of the show.
It will be up to you, as the band representative, to make sure all these items are provided, and I can take the stage, unimpeded, at least 3 hours prior to performance time. In addition, all staging must be in place before my arrival. House personnel such as a house electrician and/or house manager should be there to insure there are no problems with house items.
Question: "What kind of discount can we get if you use our P.A. system?"
Answer: None. The work-load difference between setting up my P.A. system vs. fixing yours weighs heavily in favor of the former. No offense, but most musicians/club managers/owners haven't a clue of what they're doing. They mis-match components, wire speakers out of phase, set incorrect crossover points, set up gain structures incorrectly, plug components into the wrong jack, mix input with output, or employ any combination of the aforementioned maladies up to and including ALL of them! Then they expect everything to sound good because they've hired someone to turn the knobs at the board. I can only polish a turd so much.
My system takes a predictable amount of time to set up. This time is factored into my fee. Your system takes an unpredictable amount of time to troubleshoot and fix. Though troubleshooting is my forte, it's time-consuming and stressful when performed under the pressure of a pending performance. Using your system, my choice is to either have a crappy sound or stress out trying to figure out why I can't get any mid-range out of your speakers or why the entire left side of the P.A. isn't working. Which brings me to the other reason why I don't want to use your P.A. system...
If I'm going to use your P.A., then you have to set it up. There is no work saved if I'm setting up YOUR system. When I set up my system, I'm there at least 2 hours prior to performance, if not 3. I take my time and set things up neatly so that when the band arrives 20-60 minutes before performance time, they simply plug in and go. God willing, we may even have time for a sound check (a rare luxury). Most musicians work pretty hard at their regular day job, so getting to the gig 2-3 hours ahead of performance time is usually not an option for them. Getting a band to have their P.A. in place and ready to go at least 1 hour prior to performance time is like pulling teeth. Because of these 2 reasons, I choose to use my very powerful, reliable, well-maintained, predictable, easy-to-troubleshoot, light-weight P.A. system.
I will entertain the idea of using your P.A. system. However you must convince me ahead of time that:
Once we've established that you do, indeed, have a well-working P.A. system that will be in place 1 hour ahead of your performance, then, and only then, will I be open to discounting my fee.
"Live Digital Recording package": $100.00 (non-refundable deposit) for initial recording - $50.00 per song for final mix down
Go listen to digitally recorded sound samples!
now offers a live digital recording package. This package includes 16 digitaly recorded tracks. For a mere $100.00 (non-refundable deposit), I will set up my digital recording equipment and record your band. This option is only available in addition to a live sound package and is not available as a stand-alone package. Common sense dictates that it's impossible to do "live recording" if I'm not actively engineering at a "live" performance. For an additional $50.00 per song, I will mix down these final tracks to the following digital formats:
My guarantee:
If for some reason digital recordings fail (though rare, occasional digital glitches happen), I will re-record your band at no additional charge or I will refund your deposit. The caveat is that in order to collect on a free re-record, you must hire
to do your live sound. Otherwise I will simply refund your $100.00 deposit.
HUGE ISSUE: If the performance venue has a DJ, karaoke DJ, big-screen T.V. or some other equipment set up on the stage when I get there, this will impede my setup and will delay the start of the show. It will be up to you, the band leader/manager, to make sure I can take the stage, unimpeded, at least 3 hours prior to performance time.
"Live "BUDGET BUSTER" Digital Video Recording package": $200.00 for up to 3, 54 minute high-quality (not HD) DVD's OR audio CD's (depending on your preference)
Go listen to digitally recorded sound samples taken right off my video camera!
now offers a "budget buster" live digital recording package. This package includes up to 3, 54 minute digitaly recorded DVD's. For a mere $200.00 I will set up my video camera and record your band and then edit the video down to 3, 54 minute DVD's. This option is only available in addition to a live sound package and is not available as a stand-alone package. Common sense dictates that it's impossible to do "live recording" if I'm not actively engineering at a "live" performance. For an additional $10.00 per song, I will transfer these final tracks to the following digital formats:
to do your live sound.
HUGE ISSUE: If the performance venue has a DJ, karaoke DJ, big-screen T.V. or some other equipment set up on the stage when I get there, this will impede my setup and will delay the start of the show. It will be up to you, the band leader/manager, to make sure I can take the stage, unimpeded, at least 3 hours prior to performance time.
This page is up as of January 5, 2009 - 2:20 PM.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, or need a sound engineer that can unlock the full potential of your band, please...
...e'mail me
Or leave a message for Donnie on my land-line: 505-271-6880
Or you can contact me via my Cell phone: 505-999-8563
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All pictures & material Copyright © 2007 Donnie Frank
Company logo designed and created by Brandon McCutcheon