Stay ready, always

[rickryan.com]

I have to admit, I'm not always on instant standby with my backup plan but Friday underlined the importance. Was doing an outdoor ceremony last Friday. Setup about 100 feet from the minister and I was using my 2-channel GTD wireless with a headset/bodypack on the officiant and a hand-held sitting next to me on my table. Everything had gone to plan, hit all music cues, etc. Notes on my planner said nothing during the ceremony (I'd gone over it with the bride over the phone). Towards the end of the ceremony, the officiant says, "And now we're going to have a reading by the groom's sister." Now I'll admit, I don't always have fresh batteries in the hand-held and I don't always have it sitting at the ready, but that wasn't this day. I turned on the power, turned up the channel and started walking. About the time they realized that nobody could hear I was standing there with mic in hand.

Like I said, I don't always have a spare ready to go like that but I just lucked out this time. It does stand as a reminder though, ALWAYS have your backup plan ready to go in an instant.

 

[steve149]

Did you bring a contract amendment along with the mic?

 

[rickryan.com]

Did you bring a contract amendment along with the mic?

Nah, I was feeling generous. I threw it in for FREE.

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

Lesson learned. Don't use cheap dollar store batteries and change them after every event you do.

 

[ittigger]

Lesson learned. Don't use cheap dollar store batteries and change them after every event you do.

He didn't say he used cheap dollar store batteries. He said:

Now I'll admit, I don't always have fresh batteries in the hand-held and I don't always have it sitting at the ready, but that wasn't this day.

This piece was about being prepared for the unexpected at an event and perhaps jump in to make it better, nothing about cheap batteries.

 

[rhythmgj]

And Rick was ready, and _did_ make it better. So let's learn a lesson _from_ that.

A good sound tech (sound person, DJ, whathaveyou) uses both ears and eyes. I used to have to scold guys all the time because they were playing solitaire while doing a "routine" event. Yes, everything is "on" and there's no feedback. But you can't see the performer looking like an idiot trying to save you embarrassment by frantically waving and pointing rather than just calling out over the mike-- "Please turn up the monitors!!"

Being prepared and being ready to jump into action are not always the same thing. Rick did both, and came off looking like the hero. As it should be!

GJ

 

[rickryan.com]

Nothing was said about cheap batteries. I use Energizers and change them after every gig.

I didn't post this to toot my own horn. Frankly, it was a lucky catch on my part. There are plenty of times where I wouldn't have that hand-held ready. The only point was as a reminder to rest of my DJ friends, you never known when you're going to need that extra whatever. Be ready and stay engaged, ALWAYS.

 

[Ausumm]

I'll admit that I don't change batteries after every gig....but I really don't have to.
I have a wired mic mounted on my gig rack that I use for 99% of the night.
So the wireless is only used for toasts, prayers, and the occasional speech.

But your point about being ENGAGED is 100% golden advice.
I learned that working with the production company.
When you have several people speaking at an event, and the next one up is 2 feet shorter than the others...
or when the guitar player needs more monitor...
it looks (and sounds) really bad if you're on your phone and not paying attention.

 

[ittigger]

I usually change batteries every 2 events - and I almost always have another mic available. It's not always ready, but 5 minutes can change that. Rick was in the right place at the right time and prepared. Kudos. Well played.