Topic: Setting up a stand in a reserved-seating venue

[hardrain62]

Hey all,

First time poster! Just to introduce myself a little, I've been stealth taping for nearly 10 years, but just recently got into taping with a 7.5' mic stand with new Rode condensers. Needless to say I'm LOVING the results.

Now, my questions: how does one go about setting up a mic stand in a reserved-seating venue? Do you leave it in the aisle nearest you? Can you leave it by the soundboard? Really can't figure out how I should attack taping in a reserved-seating theater, so I would really appreciate some advice, and even some experiences.

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your input!

David

[rowjimmytour]

Bungee cords are your friend so set the stand between seats and secure w/ bungee cord w/ rest of gear in lap. Or if you can ask venue if you can set up in soundboard area and maybe leave rig running near sound guy. Does the theater have a balcony? If so bring a clamp and clamp your mics front and center to rail.

[mattmiller]

Or get yourself this setup to clamp onto just about anything, including the armrest of your chair:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=110425.0

[StuStu]

Or get yourself this setup to clamp onto just about anything, including the armrest of your chair:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=110425.0

Yeah, I'd try clamping before using bungee cords. It's best to have a low profile stand or an extension in a reserved seating situation. Either can be clamped to a seat. The bonus of a low-pro stand is that you'll have options other than having to clamp. Gaffer's tape and a small stand will leave you more options in my opinion.

[nameloc01]

Its best to call the theater a day or so before the show, introduce yourself to the manager and explain what you'll be doing, alot of times the venues will have dealt with tapers in the past and have a certain area they would prefer you set up in, in my experience its usually a pretty good location in regards to the sound..sometimes an unused spotlight box, an unused private box, area by the board..ect. You should also have a clamp or two in your bag, so if you cant use a stand or can get a better spot by clamping somewhere else you'll be able to. You really dont want to show up at a venue ( especially one you're not familiar with) with a stand and just expect everything will go smooth..people are very busy on show days and making prior arrangements always works and looks best. When you call..ask about stand space, or about the rail systems.that way you will know beforehand if a clamp will work at all and what kind you will need.

[crossthreaded]

I'm still yet to snag one of those extension poles in the yard sale so my normal course of action in theatres is to tape my stand (gaff tape) to the seat and extend it up.  just gotta make sure it is secure.  I always tape to the seat b/w my girlfriend and I so that I don't bother any of the commoners.

[H₂O]

Its best to call the theater a day or so before the show, introduce yourself to the manager and explain what you'll be doing, alot of times the venues will have dealt with tapers in the past and have a certain area they would prefer you set up in, in my experience its usually a pretty good location in regards to the sound..sometimes an unused spotlight box, an unused private box, area by the board..ect. You should also have a clamp or two in your bag, so if you cant use a stand or can get a better spot by clamping somewhere else you'll be able to. You really dont want to show up at a venue ( especially one you're not familiar with) with a stand and just expect everything will go smooth..people are very busy on show days and making prior arrangements always works and looks best. When you call..ask about stand space, or about the rail systems.that way you will know beforehand if a clamp will work at all and what kind you will need.

Definitely call ahead or arrive early and talk with security.  Ran into an issue last night at Wilco where an asshole behind where we had a ticket (10-12 row center) complained and security said noway to us running stands.
 
I moved to right by the soundboard and even there got flak for setting up a stand.  The other taper ended up clamping to the front of the stage as he had front row center tix.
 
I have never been to a show where so many audience members where Anti-Taping.
 
I would suggest keeping the stand very low up until run time and would only run an extension pole at a blatenly taper friendly band/crowd (jam band show).

[3-Fan]

For in-seat taping, I usually run a Super Clamp on the arm rest with a flexible arm up to my mics.  That way I can bend the flex arm so it is right in front of my view and not in front of the folks behind me.  Most of the venues that want me to tape from my seat don't allow the mics to be raised over head height.