Do large high profile groups generally lease or own their backline?

Run_to_da_hills

Was at AC/DC in Punchestown and noticed the PA sytem was leased out by a Swiss company. I would have thought that AC/DC would have had their own backline and sound engineers that would be familiar with it.

frobisher

I don't think PA falls under the term back line. I've always presumed it doesn't but I think that there may be a bit more to the term than we often presume so I may be wrong. PA companies invest in new gear all the time, bands like ACDC don't tour that much so it wouldn't make sense to buy the real high end stuff. They just hire it. Same with U2's video stuff. Even though it's designed and only used by them they still work with hire companies on it.

PaulBrewer

I too was at the ACDC gig. Not my bag as a rule but one has to admire the style (nerve) of the band - songs off the new album sounded exactly the same as the oldies!

I was very impressed with the sound and took some interest in the PA, so much so that I called a friend in the PA business to ask him what was what.

The PA is a ElectroVoice X-Array

http://www.electrovoice.com/pressreleases/914.html

http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/print/inside_story_sound_reinforcement_for_ac_dcs_ongoing_black_ice_tour

http://209.85.229.132/search?q=cache:cUZwLoUSIYwJ:mixonline.com/mag/audio_access_3/+x+array+acdc+db+sound&cd=7&hl=en&ct=clnk&client=safari

It's quite an old design at this stage (10 years plus) and was specifically chosen for it's 'rock n roll' sound.

There did, however, appear to be some sort of line-array rig to cover the outer most reaches down the sides.

The day after the show that whole stage was due to be packed up and shipped back to Nashville.


I was told it was supplied from DB Show Services near Chicago though maybe the system may have been supplemented by 'local' (Swiss) boxes.

The 'Backline' i.e. amps etc would indeed be their own as I believe the staging is, or certainly the custom bits of the staging.

frobisher

I believe the screens at the show were brilliant?

PaulBrewer

frobisher wrote: »

I believe the screens at the show were brilliant?

Where there screens? I didn't notice ....;)

Your work ?

studiorat

They usually prefer to either hire or lease the gear. That way you can write the whole shmozzle off against tax. If you buy the gear it's an asset so you can't write the lot off apparently.

On a techie note I was told that they were using an old Midas pro 40 to run that AC/DC show. It's a Clair Bro's rig. Interesting they didn't go for the line array.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSe9kUSGM2Y&feature=player_embedded

ICN

When I was 18/19, was in London for a year, playing Drums in a Band. They were absolute Sh1te.


Anyway.. We used to practice in a place called John Henrys.

Great place. They had a catalog of any make / model of any Amp / Instrument that you could think of, to hire out for the session.

They also used to hire out all Equipment etc.. for Bands on Tour / Festivals etc.. They used to provide all different types of "Touring Solutions".

Cant remember the past clients now.. but its a massive place.. They worked with Everyone you could think of. Seems to be the done thing.

Fantastic Rooms. Played some lovely Ludwig kits while we where there.

PaulBrewer

ICN wrote: »

When I was 18/19, was in London for a year, playing Drums in a Band. They were absolute Sh1te.


Anyway.. We used to practice in a place called John Henrys.

Great place. They had a catalog of any make / model of any Amp / Instrument that you could think of, to hire out for the session.

They also used to hire out all Equipment etc.. for Bands on Tour / Festivals etc.. They used to provide all different types of "Touring Solutions".

Cant remember the past clients now.. but its a massive place.. They worked with Everyone you could think of. Seems to be the done thing.

Fantastic Rooms. Played some lovely Ludwig kits while we where there.

I remember it well.

Madness used to rehearse there.

Ian Dury and the Blockheads on one side and Take That (with Robbie!) in the other side. Neds Atomic Dustbin in the Caff ...

PMI

Used to work at LMC audio in London and used to sell to canegreen, concert sound, brit row etc..etc.. The only band back then to buy out their own rig was Metallica in the black album days, they bought the EV MT4 rig and a huge amount of it, then would rent more off of SSE in Birmingham

Most backline would belong to the band as most guitarists in bands reload the ol 4x12's with what they want so a hire company wouldnt be able to carry that much stuff !

Run_to_da_hills

I did notice a stack of Macrotech 3600VZ amps at the base of each of the two speaker pylons that supported the projector crews. They were sort of exposed to the weather and were covered in tarp when it started to rain. There must have been about eight in each, I can imagine what was powering the stage. :eek:

Just came across this. interesting.
http://www.tpimagazine.com/production-profiles/242406/acdc_black_ice_in_europe.html