The most important thing to remember when putting together a concert production, whether you're preparing a budget or managing rehearsals, is that planning is everything. Approaching live shows from your audiences' perspective and understanding what they've come to expect from you should provide a great deal of insight about how to organize gigs.

Stage Lighting

Preparing lighting means ensuring all equipment is working properly and, when using effects, verifying that changes are responding on cue. You should always leave room for unpredictability. Since the growth of LED lighting, stage lighting has become less power consumptive, which means bulbs are cooler and less hazardous. Not to mention the color options are virtually infinite. In a nutshell, using LED lighting rather than traditional spotlights reduces the likelihood of fires and other dangers associated with lighting.

Sound System

If fans can't hear your music, the concert production is a failure. One of the toughest aspects of sound engineering is dealing with the unexpected. Any unplanned events that occur during the live musical performance mean the sound will need to be adjusted in real time. In order to prepare for the show, you'll need to be aware of every musician's role and when changes in the music will be cued. You'll need to ensure the equipment matches not only the musical style but the performance style as well. The sound system gives the music its balance, and if it is not working properly or if the engineer is not adequately trained or prepared, the audience won't be able to connect.

Recording Equipment

The sound projected across the stage is affected by everything in its surrounding environment. You should not only trust what your meters are telling you, but also pay close attention to everything you're hearing in your own monitors. Getting the right sound means choosing equipment that fits your needs. For example, if you are performing with a 20-member band, the last thing you want to be using is a portable, 8-track mixing console. Remember, your equipment should also be adequate for managing feedback and awkward peaks that occur during the concert production.

Managing Acoustics

The design of your venue can be a deciding factor when considering the potential success of each concert production. If you are expecting an intimate crowd, don't book a large auditorium. A good rule of thumb for assessing the effectiveness of the room is comfort. If the room feels uncomfortable or awkward, it may not be the right place for your band to perform. The better the room acoustics the less time and energy you'll have to invest into adjusting the equipment in order to compensate.

Contact TSV for Your Concert Production Needs

At TSV Sound and Vision, our concert production team not only has experience using a variety of concert sound, stage, and lighting equipment, but is also familiar with many of the live music venues in Austin. Contact TSV today for a free quote!