Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

Hey, Im thinking in the future of using some kind of video screens with my band live. I know nothing about this and how its done or cost, can anyone share any info? Maybe one large screen behind the drums and maybe 2, just trying to get ideas.

Thanks

We had a guy come to our shows who did that stuff for us for awhile.

He did these weird patterns & even some super-8 home movie stuff...it was kinda neat, really, for a hippie jam thing.

It added a lot to the show, imo.

I have no idea how the VHS tape projectors work, but I bet you could do some very cool stuff with them. There's a church in our area that uses them, & they show the live band on two big screens & put the words to the songs scrolling on the screen at the same time. Very nifty stuff out there, but it's also prolly very 'spensive.

Well since no one else knows anything I'll answer myself. I found a couple of projectors on CraigsList for $250 dollars, to start with we just use some sheets and project images during gigs.

Ive been told but I havent found them yet, but there are DVDs with all kinds of weird screen saver images on them. Walmart has those cheap $40 dollar DVD players, then the next step will be a camera that will take images from the dance floor. People love to see themselves. A DJ friend in the area told me that when he uses the screens his base fees go way up. So maybe some of you younger guys looking to get more money wil follow my lead on this. I havent seen any bands in my area doing this, just the big shows, but it can be done for less than a $1000 dollars and might allow you to double you fee. I caught hell here over my myspace deal cause all we let in were goodlooking women. Well we are going to take their images off the myspace and put them on a dvd to play during our gigs.

Some of you guys need to start thinking outside the box if you really want to get ahead. Also song selection is a biggie, my group is pissed at me, but in order to get top dollar and coporate gigs you will have to play all the old party standards that noone wants to play. My attitude is that Im in it to have fun and make some extra money, so this is the way we are headed. If I get some actual dollar figures I will let you all know.

I wouldn't advertise that you are putting us women from MySpace out there. I think you have to get release forms to use their image.

At the salon that I work at, we have to have the people that we have "fixed up" (hair and makeup) sign a release form to use their image. I don't know if the same thing applies with what you are doing. I personally don't have a problem.....but someone might.

Like I said in the beginning, I don't think I would advertise that that is what you are planning on doing.

Great concept though.

use a laptop that plugs into a newer slide type projector.

You can actually project a regular screen saver up on the back drop and you know how trippy they can get.

One Church we played used a huge screen to project our lyics.
It was pretty cool with the lyrics scrolling behind us as we went through our set. Anything that enhances the visual impact of your group has got to be beneficial.
Right now money is tight for all us boys @ NKF but we are working on adding speakers to our setup. We played with additional bass amps last night. really thickened up the overall sound. My turn next I guess.

So Robin I cant put you in one of our bulletines like this. We can make one up Robino, if you give me permission first.




Actually we cleared this with all the gals that we use. Its really not that big of a deal, Im not selling the pictures or anything, just using them to bring attention to our band. Most of the gals on myspace are exhibitionist anyway, otherwise why would you have pictures like this on there in the first place.


Back to the subject of video, I bought 2 projectors off Craigslist, a couple of bedsheets, a cheap DVD player, we are going to use an old VHS Camera for one of the players. We will play movies this weekend during the gig, and the other player will be hooked to a camera and constantly project images to the crowd. This will keep my soundman too busy to mess up the sound and the crowd will eat it up. I bought all the stuff to do this for less than $400, and in the end it will pay big dividends in seperating us from the rest of the bands in our area.

Just passing on what this ole redneck is doing in TN, maybe someone here will take the idea and develop it further, heck all the major tours do this these days. My idea is to have a switching system with 8-10 defferent cameras that can be controlled with a remote and to show us on the screen the crowd, heck we might put one in the ladys room. Well not really but that did get your attention.

Think outside the box and get ahead.

If I looked like that.....LOL

Robin, dont cut yourself short, you could give her a run for her money

So do we have permission to use you?

LOL Say yes..

JW cut off her head and put it on some nudes' body, that will surely raise some new controversy and at the same time get a few laughs.

Just don't really use it out there..ya know in public like.. LOL
(shhhh)

Yes you have permission.....just DON'T cut off my head and use it on someone else!!!!! LOL

Thanks Robin, we'll make you a star.