Doing Sound For A Stand Up Comedian

[GUITKRAZY]

Greetings!
I got asked to do sound for a comedy evening at a small bar that my band frequently plays. I am planning on using my Mackie 408 with my Yorkville YX15 speakers and they say they only need 1 mic, so I plan on using one of our Shure Beta SM58's- Do you think that is enough? or should I bring a Monitor? I have never done sound for a comedy act- I guess I need to pull the reverb out! LOL!
If anybody has any advice and or suggestions please let me know!:thu:

[mtmra70]

Beta SM58 eh? ;) :D

[wayward91]

they like shouting, i recomend a comp if you have one :)

[Steve Edwards]

I have done sound in a couple of comedy clubs. The Beta58 or SM58 would work well but remember comics will whack it on the mic stand, blow into it, hit their head with it, and drop it on the floor as part of their routine so you might want a cheaper SM-58. LOL Most comics want a monitor but mainly for reference and volume is not an issue.

[Singin' Dave]

I'd sure want a monitor...

[agedhorse]

Some do, some don't. ASK.

Don't know if that's enough PA, the comedy shows I do tend to get pretty loud, and a compressor is a must IMO.

[W. M. Hellinger]

I agree, a good comp is a must.

Also I suggest getting an up-front damage deposit that will cover the replacement cost of the mic and mic stand... figure there's a good chance the mic is gonna get beat on, smashed, clunked and otherwise abused to the point where it's not going to be the same mic after the show that it was before the show.

And have a back-up mic ready to go.

[kevinnem]

Greetings!
I got asked to do sound for a comedy evening at a small bar that my band frequently plays. I am planning on using my Mackie 408 with my Yorkville YX15 speakers and they say they only need 1 mic, so I plan on using one of our Shure Beta SM58's- Do you think that is enough? or should I bring a Monitor? I have never done sound for a comedy act- I guess I need to pull the reverb out! LOL!
If anybody has any advice and or suggestions please let me know!:thu:

I did a show like this once, .. it si sort of easy. - my job.. project the voice, and at the end of the show play a CD .. useally not a problem - but it turns out I don't speak leboneeze (sp?). - and well I guess I was the only person there that didn't. - have you ever sat through a 1 1/2 hours comedy show in a lauguage you don't understand.....

Then on the way out the owner tryied to stiff me out of some money, saying that "he did make much" ... well the place was sold out....

then the fights started, .. so I couldn't get my gear out out of the venue....

so I called the cops thinking they would show up and everyone would leave, but NOOOOO they send in like 12 cops, that have 1 thing on there mind - beat people up- . I was out raged! (one of the darkest hours of my life).


but well in the end, I lived to work another weekend I guess.




but I am sure your event will go better.

Kev.

[kevinnem]

I agree, a good comp is a must.

Also I suggest getting an up-front damage deposit that will cover the replacement cost of the mic and mic stand... figure there's a good chance the mic is gonna get beat on, smashed, clunked and otherwise abused to the point where it's not going to be the same mic after the show that it was before the show.

And have a back-up mic ready to go.

for spoken word I really like to use 2 comps, cascaded.

I set the first one for a low theshold, and low ration .. about 1.5:1 this will feed in to a second one that is set to about 4:1, but at a much higher thesehold.

The lower one will help level stuff out, and the steep one will stop the "shouting".

[scredly]

I'll +1 on the good advice already offered just to get my post count up. :)

Any type of 58 on a straight stand -have a backup in the wings.

Compressor required - on backup too.

Advance with the artist on the need for monitors.

Good point about damage agreement. Talk to person that hired you -show them the mic and un-dented grille and reach agreement about replacement costs if damage occurs.

Have a great show.

[boomerweps]

PERFECT opportunity for using a Behringer XM8500. Works great for voice, $20. Buy three. A slight amount of reverb WILL be appreciated.

Boomerweps

[MDLMUSIC]

I did a show like this once, .. it si sort of easy. - my job.. project the voice, and at the end of the show play a CD .. useally not a problem - but it turns out I don't speak leboneeze (sp?). - and well I guess I was the only person there that didn't. - have you ever sat through a 1 1/2 hours comedy show in a lauguage you don't understand.....

Then on the way out the owner tryied to stiff me out of some money, saying that "he did make much" ... well the place was sold out....

then the fights started, .. so I couldn't get my gear out out of the venue....

so I called the cops thinking they would show up and everyone would leave, but NOOOOO they send in like 12 cops, that have 1 thing on there mind - beat people up- . I was out raged! (one of the darkest hours of my life).


but well in the end, I lived to work another weekend I guess.




but I am sure your event will go better.

Kev.

Sounds like you play the same kinds of gigs that I do...

[BillESC]

Full range cabs are enough, no need for subs. Compressor/limiter recommended.

Depending on the antics of the performer... really cheap mics may want to be used.

Having worked with George Carlin, Billy Crystal and Bob Hope, those are my suggestions.

[GUITKRAZY]

This venue is really small, I may use the Mackie 808- as for compressor- what would be a good cheap one to use? I am also definately going to do a damage agreement- how would you go about it- do I contact the coordinator? I have never had to do this before- and my band has a gig that weekend! UGGGGGGGGGH!

[agedhorse]

Why a "cheap" one... how about one that's good enough to do the job properly?

[BillESC]

Why a "cheap" one... how about one that's good enough to do the job properly?


I said, "Depending on the antics of the performer... really cheap mics may want to be used."

Some comedians swing/drop/slap/kick/dunk/etc., their mics as part of their act. I'll hand THEM a cheap mic. As I said, it is act dependent.

[agedhorse]

I said, "Depending on the antics of the performer... really cheap mics may want to be used."

I was referring to the cheap compressor comment. ;)

[BillESC]

Oops...by bad.

[smitty0069]

Lots of good info here already. If you do need to provide monitors......be absolutely certain to ring out the monitors properly. High SPL won't be a real issue, but plan on having the mic pointed in the monitor and things of that nature. Basically plan for the worst when ringing them out.

[W. M. Hellinger]

as for compressor- what would be a good cheap one to use? I am also definately going to do a damage agreement- how would you go about it- do I contact the coordinator? I have never had to do this before- and my band has a gig that weekend! UGGGGGGGGGH!

http://cgi.ebay.com/DBX-166A-2-Channel-Compressor_W0QQitemZ320237877624

I am also definately going to do a damage agreement- how would you go about it- do I contact the coordinator?

*That* should be negoiatated with whomever hired you for the gig.