PA Hire
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do you do lights too?
A. No, but if you do require lighting, let me know your requirements and I can either bring lights along or advise on lighting companies.
Q. I can get a cheap PA from my mate. Can you do it for less?
A. You get what you pay for. If you want it 'cheap' then hire it from your mate! I have 21 years experience as an engineer and have built the PA from very high quality components, not cheap copies. This ensures a professional standard which means equipment reliability, compatibility and a result you cannot achieve with today's readily available cheap 'pro' audio.
Q. How big is your PA for bands?
A. I am often asked "How many 'K's is your PA?" It's like asking "how long is a ball of string" in a way. There are a lot of incorrect ways to rate a speaker system. People say their PA is 5kW when it is only using for example 2kW and some say their computer speakers are 300w when they are actually about 10w rms! The actual Front of House (FOH) speakers use 3200W (rms- which is the proper way to measure speaker power as opposed to program or peak power) flat out which is 3.2kW (although the FOH amplifiers are capable of producing a total of 6.8kW rms) The monitors use slightly less. So although the PA, including the monitors use a 'peak program power' (whatever that's supposed to mean!) of about 24,000 watts, the answer (in old-school terms) I would give is "about 3k".
Q. Do you do conferences?
A. I can do small conferences. I do not own projectors or lighting, but let me know what you need because anything is possible!
Q. How long do you need to set up?
A. Roughly about 2 hours but stairs, distance to carry equipment, extra equipment and non-conventional venues can take longer.
Q. We want a PA for our band and we need to rehearse for about 2 hours before the gig. Is this ok?
A. When you hire a PA, you are paying for me to arrive with the equipment and set it up. Then to "soundcheck" then to engineer during the gig and finally to pack and take away the equipment at the end. A "soundcheck" is just to get a level, a sound and a monitor mix for the band. A "rehearsal" is entirely different. It is the band practicing their songs so they know the arrangement etc. and it is usually done in a rehearsal studio or similar in the band's own time. Sometimes, especially with bands whose members live far apart, this is not possible. If you do need to rehearse before the show, it means I have to get there earlier and therefore an extra charge will apply.
Q. How far do you travel?
A. As long as you're happy to pay for my travel, I'll go where you want! I take PA equipment all over the UK and I travel (without my PA) all over the world!
Q. How much does it cost?
A. See prices.
Q. How much notice do I need to give you if I want to book you and what's your cancellation policy?
A. The sooner you book, the more chance you have of securing a date. I do book some dates a year in advance. I may require a deposit, so enough time for the cheque or or bank transfer to clear. As it says on the front page, there is only me, so if I'm booked up, that's it. I can't be in two places at once! I can recommend other companies who will fit your requirements though. See the terms and conditions for cancellation policies.Q. What style of music do you do?
A. Anything and everything! Amongst many other things, I have worked with sensitive folk musicians, heavy thrash metal bands, poetry reading, reggae bands, solo kora players, funk, punk, experimental electronica, Jazz musicians, Klezma bands, drum clinics, American Blues divas, traditional storytellers, current chart bands, Bhangra bands and politician speeches. I've done sound for a cage fight, a Dalek, fashion shows, conferences, Literature festivals, an Opera, cabaret shows, Cajun Festivals, a SKA weekend, Orchestras and 30s big bands. I have done sound in a Zoo, a prison, on the back of a moving lorry, for a car launch, at weddings, at raves, in barns, in mansions, in pubs, in theatres and at festivals all over the world. See also the bands section to see some of the bands I have worked with or history to see what else I've done.