Hi and thanks for reading this. A kid I used to work with at a music shop just bought a bar/nightclub and I'm going to help him get the sound system right, and then probably do sound there on the weekends. There's a tiny room behind the stage with a little window in it, used to be where the old owner would go and sniff lines inbetween bands.

Anyway the now owner has it in his head to PUT THE MIXING BOARD IN THIS TINY SHITTY ROOM BEHIND THE STAGE!!! I did sound there for the previous owner and I am the proud parent of Tinnitus, cuz she had the mixing board RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE PA SPEAKER!!! If I hadn't been so desperate for money beer and a nightlife I wouldn't have done it.

Now, putting the board BEHIND THE STAGE is better for my ears then in front of a 1200 watt PA, but it seems totally stupid. He thinks that we can use a walkie-talkie and holler, "HOW ARE THE VOCALS?" "OK, MORE BASS!" etcetera, back and forth from soundroom to bar. As if that's any way to mix live sound. Not to mention that if a band's onstage there's no way to get in or out of this room! I'm having a hard time telling him he's totally retarded cuz he's a nice kid and my potential employer, but if I got some semi-professional feedback it would help tons. Thanks in advance.

tell him even a club in NYC wouldn't do something THAT stupid!

NYC, land of the soundbooth-in-the-attic/ceiling/2nd-floor/balcony/hanging-from-the-rafters.
god, i hate mixing there!

or you could tell the owner to buy fancy expensive ceiling wounted room mics so that you would have a headphone mix of "the room" so that you could mix. then that they could hire a stage manager to move mics and do all the offstage listening because you'd be trapped in the make-out room.
suggesting that their brilliant idea would only cost them more is a sure way to make them see your way.

(not to mention that NO touring soundguy that may come though your club would endure such foolishness. i know i wouldn't!)

hope that helps.

morze wrote:suggesting that their brilliant idea would only cost them more is a sure way to make them see your way.

Cool thanks that's some of the best advice

morze wrote:(not to mention that NO touring soundguy that may come though your club would endure such foolishness. i know i wouldn't!)

I second this statement. The word would get out that the soundboard was located in a closet behind the stage, and bands would avoid the club in droves.

...and what the hell is this shit about you not being able to get out if there is a band on the stage? That's a fire hazard my friend. Epsecially when you're running sound for that Kiss Cover Band and their homemade fireworks.

Boom