Technical sound help needed

[hammer]

I've just agreed to host a small outdoor concert in late-September at my house for a bluegrass band out of the Czech Republic as part their 3-week U.S. tour. The band, Druha Trava, which has won several Andel Awards (Czech equivalent of a Grammy) and played for  President Obama and other heads of state, is coming to the U.S. without their soundman (he's currently hospitalized with pancreatitis).  Because of the small nature of the concert (75 people or so), which is sandwiched between regular tour dates in Chicago and Des Moine, Iowa, they've asked me to do the sound. I've done sound before for rock bands I've been in but never for a bluegrass band (guitar, dobro, banjo, mandolin, and bass). I'll have access to just about any sound equipment I desire (within reason), from a guy I know who does a lot of live sound work for local rock bands, but unfortunately he's busy that day.  
 
With no experience doing sound for this type of music I don't even know what equipment I should ask for.  Does anyone here have experience doing live sound for this type of music? I'm sure that, working with the musicians, we can come up with an acceptable sound if the right equipment is available. However, they'll be traveling to Mpls. from Chicago and probably won't arrive until 2-hours before the concert so that doesn't leave much time if I'm missing anything.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[stout71]

I think the only thing that would change significantly would be the way everything is mic'd.  You probably won't need huge subs like you would in a rock setting.  Good, powered, full range speakers would do the job.  I would imagine the bassist A) has his own mic attached or B) has a pickup installed.  You'd probably only need a direct box.  I can't speak to the other stuff.  So many nuances with the other instruments.
 
I'm surprised that they haven't presented you with a layout that tells you exactly what they need.   That stuff is usually standard and included in their rider/contract.

[cozmik_cowboy]

How traditional are they?  If they're hardcore, you'll need one really good omni mic; they'll provide the mix with natural dynamics & stage movement.  They might eschew monitors as well.
 
If they're open to more modern reinforcement, Jerry might be right about the bass; if not, I'd try for something like an AKG C214*.  For the other instruments, maybe AKG C391 if you have phantom power, Sennheiser MD-441 if you don't.  MD-431 for vocals.
 
Beyond that, clean is essential; ain't agonna be no fuzz boxes to hide behind.  And while you might not be kicking the audience in the chest with the bass, there's a lot going on down there with upright; use the subs.
 
*That said, the best sound I ever got from a doghouse was with an SM58 wrapped in a bar towel & stuck in the bridge.
 
Peter
 
(edit) Never mind; I just checked their website.  They're not actually bluegrass; they have drums, electric bass & electric guitar. Except for the acoustic guitar & mandolin, treat as with any rock/country band.
 
(Message edited by cozmik_cowboy on August 13, 2015)

[sonicus]

If the talent  requires monitors it would be relevant to inquire if they  want wireless in ear monitors or simple wedges .  I would think that a uniform monitor mix would work for these folks  but it would be good to know so that the equipment used can accommodate multiple monitor sends if desired.  
 
 Wolf

[gtrguy]

Obtain enough QSC powered speakers, the ones big enough that can be used for either monitors or mains. You need a couple speaker stands for the ones used as mains, the others will sit on the ground as monitors. Of course you need the mixing board (24 ch) and some DI boxes for instruments that have pickups on them. Do they have their own mics? The C414 is a good one for vocals for this type of concert but the Shure SM58 is the classic one for vocals as well, and is better at removing outdoor wind noise. In ear usually would need to be a specific ahead-of-time request from the band, but due to the fitting and use of these, I doubt if they will use them. Sometimes a singer will bring their own though.
 
Various acoustic instruments all have their own mics that work well with them. Usually the band will have their own or will have pickups mounted on the instruments that work well. Pay attention to input levels (the first gain stage on the board) for these to get the best sound.
 
You may need Phantom Power and you will need it on your board.
 
You need lots of mic and power cords. Will you be mixing from out front? Then you will need a snake to your board. Is there percussion of any kind (it happens)? Often an acoustic band might request separate monitor mixes for different performers. You need a board that can do that.  
 
Think about lighting if the concert goes late.
 
Do not drop an expensive mic, use solid stands for them too.
 
 Bluegrass need mic stands at various heights and boom arms for the different instruments.  
 
Whew, that's all i can think up right at the moment! Have fun!

[keith_h]

I would ask about what acoustic instruments they will be using. From the pictures on the website I see a variety of instruments being played some electric and others appear completely acoustic. The band or its management should be able to provide this and a stage plot.  
 
Electrified acoustic guitars, acoustic basses, violins and mandolins I would treat like any electrified equipment and just us a DI or mic the amp if they are using one. Basically standard electric band stuff.  
 
Since this is a small one night stand I think you should be able to get by with SM58's for vocals, condenser mics (better) or SM57's for acoustic guitar, mandolin and violin, SM57 for the banjo and and SM98 for an acoustic standup bass. I also use SM57's for general wind instruments if the musician doesn't have their own clip on. For the acoustic mics you want to set a balanced level when all musicians are playing. After that dynamics are up to the band members who will move towards and away from the mic.  
 
A small sub might be nice to help round out the low end. For a small gig like this a bass guitar cabinet will work and frequently is less weight than a PA sub.  
 
Keith

[keith_h]

One other thing I forgot to mention. If the bass player is all electric and uses an amp I would just see about letting it handle the bass and not even run it through the PA. In this situation I wouldn't bother with a sub as none of the other instruments will be down in that range.  
 
Keith