Top Tips from James Bundy to Get Holiday Show Ready

The holiday season’s coming in hot, and that means a busy schedule of gigs and shows! To help you nail every performance, we’ve got some great tips from James Bundy, audio tech extraordinaire and partner at Plunge Audio. Let’s just say he knows his stuff when it comes to live shows and making soundcheck a breeze! Whether you're playing in a cozy café or rocking out on a bigger stage, these tips will keep everything running smoothly!

1. Communication is Key

First off, if you want a solid soundcheck, communication with your sound tech or monitor engineer is a must. James has two super simple tricks for making this process go smoothly:

- The “Hands Up” Method: When you’re setting levels for your instrument, just raise your hand if you need more volume in your monitors. Once it’s good, drop your hand. It’s a quick way for the sound tech to know who needs what.

- Start with Vocals: Kick off soundcheck with the vocals, even if they aren’t first on the input list. This way, anyone with a vocal mic can talk directly to the sound engineer, and if other band members don’t have mics, they’ve got someone who can speak up for them!

2. Know Your Gear

No one loves troubleshooting during soundcheck, right? It’s one of the biggest time-sucks, but you can avoid a lot of it by really knowing your gear. Here’s how to stay ahead of any issues:

- Test It at Home: Play around with your gear before show day to make sure it’s all working properly. And try not to switch things up too much—consistency will save you headaches.

- Pack the Essentials: Keep your gig bag organized with all the must-haves: spare cables, tuners, drum keys, power supplies, IEMs, and maybe some black gaff tape. Trust us, it’ll come in handy!

- Troubleshoot One Thing at a Time: If something goes wrong, don’t panic. Change one thing at a time so you can pinpoint exactly where the issue is. It’ll help you troubleshoot way faster.

3. Advance is Everything

One of the best pieces of advice James shares is to “advance” your show. Basically, that means making sure all the details between you and the venue are sorted out in advance (hence the name!). Even if you’re just playing a small gig, he promises it will make all the difference:

- Be Clear on What You Need: Make sure you’ve communicated exactly what you need from the venue, and make sure they know what you’re bringing. Whether it’s extra DI boxes, vocal mics, or a specific number of channels for your setup, don’t leave anything to guesswork.

- Keep Everyone in the Loop: If anything changes from what you discussed, let the venue know ASAP. You don’t want any last-minute surprises.

- Double-Check with Your Band: Before the gig, check in with your bandmates and make sure they’ve got everything they need too. Whether it’s gear, tech requirements, or specific mics, everyone should be on the same page.

Wrapping It Up

Getting ready for holiday shows doesn’t have to be stressful. Follow James' tips and stay organized, communicate clearly, and know your gear; and you’ll be set up for smooth, successful performances every time. Whether you’re touring or playing local gigs, these simple steps will keep you on track and sounding your best.