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Conference napalm::guitar

Title:GUITARnotes - Where Every Note has Emotion
Notice:Discussion of the finer stringed instruments
Moderator:KDX200::COOPER
Created:Thu Aug 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3280
Total number of notes:61432

2429.0. "Time saving tips & techniques" by FDCV08::GOODWIN () Fri Jan 10 1992 19:11

I've found that repeatedly packing/unpacking, loading/unloading,
setting up & breaking down for traveling to & from rehearsals and
gigs is a real time-consuming process. Lately it is becoming more
and more of an annoyance.  I've begun trying to think of ways to
better organize my equipment & procedures so as to minimize all
this 'overhead' time, with a net result of creating more time for
what I'm really trying to do in the first place, namely: music.

It's really a time-to-market issue if you think about it... for
a professional working musician all of this extra time and work
is normally absorbed as a 'cost of doing business'.  If it could
be reduced,  it would have the net effect of increasing revenue
per unit of time invested.

Granted, I'm not a pro musician, but my time is valuable to me.
I thought we might be able to use this topic as a sounding board
for ideas that could potentially save us all some time and effort.

The first step I've taken is to set up a totally pre-connected rack.
The goal is to be able to show up somewhere, plug the rack into AC
power, plug the guitar into the rack, power up and start playing.
It has cut down on the number of pieces of gear and paraphenalia
I have to carry around and substantially reduced time spent sorting
and connecting cables and cords.  There is definitely a trade-off
between how much gear you want to stuff in your rack, and just how
pre-connected you can be - racks can very quickly become extremely
difficult to move around if you overload them.

I'm sure some of you crazies out there probably have some great
off-the-wall ideas that should be shared... let's hear them.

/Steve
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2429.1inexpensive, tooEZ2GET::STEWARTthe leper with the most fingersFri Jan 10 1992 23:5619
    This is an obvious one, but I thought I'd mention it anyway.  I use
    flexible plastic tubing (there's a name for this stuff, but I've
    forgotten it) to bundle groups of cables.  For example, I have a volume
    pedal hooked up to a Pocket Pedal (for use as a MIDI continuous
    controler), an X11 foot controller, and the foot switch for my Quattro
    on my pedal board.  All of the wires run through this flexible tubing
    from the pedal board to the back of the rack.  This saves a bit of time
    when packing/unpacking, since I can just unplug/plug a couple of things
    to reconnect the pedal board and it's ready to go.  It also looks a lot
    neater.
    
    I use the same stuff to clean up my semi-permanent installations at
    home.  It's slit along its length, so wires can exit and enter
    anywhere.  Again, one large tubular thing looks so much more hi-tech
    than a whole bunch of wires & cables running all over the place.
    
    The only possible downside is crosstalk.  I wouldn't run unbalanced
    microphone or low-level instrument signals through these if I had power
    (speaker or AC) going through the same bundle...
2429.2Zip itGOES11::G_HOUSEI think I'm gonna hurl! -G. BushSat Jan 11 1992 16:314
    I've seen people do something similar with zip ties.  Keeps the cords
    neat.  You do need to label your cords at each end though.
    
    Greg
2429.3KISSTOOK::SUDAMALiving is easy with eyes closed...Sat Jan 11 1992 16:3333
    I like this idea of the tubing. I currently do the same thing by
    putting ties around sets of cables. Where do you get this kind of
    tubing with the slits in it, and does it come in various sizes?
    
    As far as suggestions go, I try to keep things real simple. For
    example:
    
    1) One guitar (unless I really need an electric *and* and acoustic).
    
    2) Avoid battery powered stuff.
    
    3) Use common cable types as much as possible. For example, even though
    my guitar has stereo output, I converted it to mono just so I could use
    the same type of mono cables with it that I use for everything else.
    
    4) Avoid "component" systems, or try to bundle components into
    reasonable size racks, or other packages. For example, it's much easier
    to set up if you have one of those foot pedal units that holds multiple
    pedals than if you have lots of individual pedals. The real issue here
    is that *connecting* things takes lot of time, and is also prone to
    failures (also requiring carrying more "extras"). The more things can
    be packaged and pre-connected, the easier things go.
    
    5) Make equipment compromises in favor of things that are smaller,
    lighter and more integrated. I'd love to indulge all of my fantasies
    about the latest and greatest stuff. But I find it better in the long
    run to spend whatever I can afford on getting stuff that's portable
    and functional.
    
    Now, if I could just get some gigs, there'd be some motive for this
    madness!!!
    
    - Ram
2429.4Bundle and labelKAOFS::P_DESOUZATue May 12 1992 19:4210
    Re-useable plastic ties for packing cables away. This saves time when
    setting up since you do not have to waste time untangling cables.
    
    Label your cables with a brightly colored tape(hockey tape-in Canada)
    to separate them from other band members cables - again saves time when
    taking down and determining whose cable is whose. In the same vein
    label the ends of cables (especually bundled ones)to indicate their
    destination e.g. for our PA one end says H,M,L for each XLR to
    speaker end and the other says H,M,L at the rack end and our cables
    to/from the effects to mixer are marked SEND/RTN.
2429.5RAVEN1::BLAIRWhat *is* it, Man?Wed May 13 1992 11:155
    
    Try using zip-lock (large) plastic bags for instrument cables.  They
    stay untangled, and best of all, they stay fresh for years!  
    
    -pat (serious about the zip-locks)
2429.6KDX200::COOPERStep UP to the RACK !Wed May 13 1992 13:1511
Good idea Pat !!
I HATE cables - even though they are a necessary evil...  :(

Here's one for RACK PUKES:

Get a rack drawer for your rack and insulate it with some foam.
Great place to keep your wireless transmitter and controller
wall bug, and pick clips and all the other stuff that gets buried
in your milk crates....

jc 
2429.7HEDRON::DAVEGreetings ascending Star people!Wed May 13 1992 13:4015
Milk crates?? Rack drawer?

Naw, I just plug and play, one guitar cord in, two speaker cords out, no 
wallwarts (previously mounted permanently) etc. to fuss with and I'm not 
wireless (yet)

Permanently mounting wallwarts:

attach a outlet strip to rack somewhere/somehow (I used wood screws to fasten 
mine in). Run a long plastic cable tie under the outlet strip, over the wallwart
and pull tight and clip off the excess. You can also hook several cable ties
together if necessary. Plug the outlet strip into your rack's power filter
and you're filtered, and permanently wired up, no muss no fuss....

dbii
2429.8I've heard of it before, but ???SSDEVO::LAMBERTGonna boogie my scruples awayWed May 13 1992 13:523
Uhm...  What's a "wallwart"?

-- Sam ("Analog" Rack Puke Wannabe)
2429.9SMURF::GALLODragon Dictate UserWed May 13 1992 14:316
    I think that Dave means those "wall bug" type power adaptors.
    
    Tom
    
    ---
    Dictated with Dragon Dictate.
2429.10KDX200::COOPERStep UP to the RACK !Wed May 13 1992 14:3119
The transformer that you plug into the wall - now I *know* you must have one 
for something !  Battery eliminators for stomps ??

Anyway - RE: Dave

Ya - I've been meaning to bundle the three wires going to the floor.  
They are:

1.  Wall bug cord from my rack mounted power strip (goes to the foot 
    controller)
2.  1/4" cable to from from the BYPASS VC output on the foot controller
    to the QuadraVerb bypass jack.
3.  25 foot MIDI cable from Quad/Mp1 to foot controller.

Definately a good idea.  Pluig the controller in (three places on the 
controller), plug in speakers, turn on the wireless, and A-WAY we go !

jc (who's been lazy lately.  :)