Standard rate for soundman/PA?

[MulletOver]

My band is playing at a festival on a Saturday night in Sept, and the organizers have asked if I could run sound all weekend: noon-9pm on Friday, noon-9pm on Saturday. My band plays 6pm-9pm on Sat, and another band plays 6pm-9pm on Friday, and I'll run sound for them.

The noon-6pm would just be pre-recorded audio, and one mic for occasional announcements. They've hired a pro-grade company out of Indianapolis (with 1000lbs of EAW cabs) in the past, but I have no idea what they paid them. I wouldn't expect to charge anything close to what the pro guy would get, but I don't want to sell myself short (I expect to do this annually if it goes well).

I have (4) SLA Pros and (2) T-39's, and I may build another pair of T-39's just for this event.
The festival is at a park, and it's about ~4 acres square, and I believe I'll be setup in (or near) one of the corners. They're expecting up to 500 people for the show.

Thanks!

[dswpro]

You could always call another local company to get a quote for similar services to find out. Make up a date far in the future. The real question is what do you want? I would ask around five to six hundred for the two days myself, but that if I don't need any extra crew. You can always go down in rate after your initial offer but you can never go up. BTW You will want those extra subs.
More importantly, who is going to provide security for your gear overnight? Microphones, cables, amps and small speakers have a way of walking away when you aren't looking depending on the venue. I always lock up my amps mics and stands on overnight stays, even if I am camping close by.

[BrentEvans]

I would ask around five to six hundred for the two days myself, but that if I don't need any extra crew. You can always go down in rate after your initial offer but you can never go up. BTW You will want those extra subs.

I think that's really slim. At least $1000.

More importantly, who is going to provide security for your gear overnight? Microphones, cables, amps and small speakers have a way of walking away when you aren't looking depending on the venue. I always lock up my amps mics and stands on overnight stays, even if I am camping close by.

Yup, this is a big one. You're going to need a helper all day and all night... that's on top of the rental price.

I bet that big company is getting $2500 or more for that event.

The festival is at a park, and it's about ~4 acres square,
Thanks!

So it's 416 feet by 416 feet by 416 feet? Think about it...

Perhaps what you meant to say is that the park is square, and about four acres?

[MulletOver]

You're going to need a helper all day and all night... that's on top of the rental price.

I'll be camping by the stage, no amps or mics left on the stage, and I can even put the cabs and amp rack back in the trailer for the night. I'll also have one or two of my sons with me to help.

I bet that big company is getting $2500 or more for that event.

OK, that's what I was hoping to hear.

So it's 416 feet by 416 feet by 416 feet? Think about it...

Perhaps what you meant to say is that the park is square, and about four acres?

AH, well, um, yes, I was including the people up on the ferris wheel!

[Bruce Weldy]

Well, you have built in helpers with your kids......going to be there anyway to play on the second night. Your band should help you tear down at the end.....and you are going to camp out.

Since you aren't having to strike the stage Friday night, you have help, and you can feel secure about the gear, anywhere between 600-1000 would be good for your first time out. Don't charge so much that they wished that they had spent a little more and got the big boys.

I always offer myself up as a medium-sized provider and turn down stuff that's too big. I'd rather miss a gig that I can't do justice with than to make a few bucks and ruin my reputation. So, know your limitations and don't feel bad about starting a little cheap. You can always raise your price as you get your feet under you and start getting calls.

[Grant Bunter]

All good advice so far

I can't offer you a pricing estimate simply because I don't live or work where you are.
I do agree with Bruce though, you're starting out and should ask for a lower price than you will later.

I also agree that you should build another pair of T39's.

You have the advantage at the moment pricing wise as well. Your outlay costs for your system are significantly less than the company that bought EAW cabs (presumably new).
Meaning you don't need to recoup quite as much on a gig to gig basis (and later, your profit margin is increased).
Given you have extra hands, your "wages" cost is down too.
Slip (one or two of ) your sons some $ for their assistance.
They'll be keener to help next time, and the time after that, and so on...

[DJPhatman]

Typically, US$100 per hour is not out of the question. Are you going to lose a day of work wages at your regular job? Are the event organizers providing any "perks" to you and your "crew", like food, drinks, accommodations, etc? Will they be insuring your equipment while it is on their grounds? These and other things, like if this is a benefit, charity, etc, will affect pricing. Ask yourself this question: What is the time worth to me?

+1 to EVERYTHING posted previously, especially paying your "crew". Also, what about monitors?

And, you should build at least 2 more T39s, 30" wide, loaded with premium drivers, and a V-plate for the stack. If you are able to, build 4 at 30" wide. I don't know what width your current ones are, but outdoors, you will need everything you can get for the sub-bass.

[BrentEvans]

If you're looking for a rubric:

GENERALLY SPEAKING, I bill my time at $85 per hour from the time I leave my door til the time I get back. I don't leave my door for less than $150. If I need a lifter, that's added at a 25% markup (at least) for whatever I pay them. If I need another technician, same deal except for the bill is at least $85 per hour. If I'm there more than 6 hours, the $500 day rate applies. My sound system to cover about 1000 people is $600 per day or $1800 per week. Then there's travel, food, lodging, etc.

In your case... if you charge $1200 for equipment rental and 2 days of day rate, you're at $2200, plus whatever you pay your labor. I assumed having a laborer for two days would be about $300. That's where I got $2500.

You have to decide what you're worth and what the aggravation and time are worth. I do some events significantly below my regular rates for certain customers and certain reasons. I quote some events higher than those rates when I expect there to be additional problems or potential damage to my gear, or they just are going to aggravate me more. I very rarely break down to the client what is for what. I just quote a contract price and spell out what I will and will not do.

I'm also very picky about what gigs I take. There are some things I will not do at all. There are some types of an events I'll go white glove but won't take my gear to.

I'm in line with providers in my area. Another provider I sub for sometimes just did a two stage one day festival with sound for 3000, two stages with covers and lights, and two sound systems (we could have done way more than 3000 after it all came together.. it was massive). I think the bill for that was about $6000 or so with all accommodations provided by the promoter.


Hope that helps.

[kkip]

And, you should build at least 2 more T39s, 30" wide, loaded with premium drivers, and a V-plate for the stack. If you are able to, build 4 at 30" wide. I don't know what width your current ones are, but outdoors, you will need everything you can get for the sub-bass.

+1 You really do need everything you can get for bass outdoors. I recently built 2 more T39s so that I could provide sound for an outdoor concert. I would say that the 4 subs were adequate but not overwhelming.

[djtrumptight]

I usually try to be as smart as possible and rather than quote a price i ask them what they have in their budget for the sound rental and go from there.If they low ball i tell them i cant do it and don't know anyone with a good system like mine that will do it for that price.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

I usually try to be as smart as possible and rather than quote a price i ask them what they have in their budget for the sound rental and go from there.If they low ball i tell them i cant do it and don't know anyone with a good system like mine that will do it for that price.

+1, and that way you won't quote them a price far less than what they're ready to pay.

[James Champer]

I usually try to be as smart as possible and rather than quote a price i ask them what they have in their budget for the sound rental and go from there.If they low ball i tell them i cant do it and don't know anyone with a good system like mine that will do it for that price.

+1, and that way you won't quote them a price far less than what they're ready to pay.

+1 - Words to live by, and applicable to most contract-for-hire negotiations.

[bmf]

I will be doing a festival in my hometown at the end of august. It is simple playback for most things and sound for three to four bands. It is less than 15 minutes from my house and only evenings for four nights. I am only charging $800 for the sound and the band I normally run sound for is entertainment for one of the nights and is making an additional $1000 for an hour and a half show. I wouldn't do a job this long for that price anywhere else but I only need small speakers on sticks for the couple nights of playback (full PA for bands of course) and make a full share off the night our band plays. Still way cheap I know. I priced it to what I knew the small festival could afford and get to work with people I have known for years for the entire time. They treat us wonderful. Could I charge more? Absolutely! But this festival is done by a charitable group in a small town (Selma not Muncie). I make enough to pay for my time and anything else would just take away from the festival raising money. For me the event purpose plays into the price. Some may disagree and if soundwork is your primary source of income I would understand as varying your price could offend potential customers.
So, all this said my advice to you is. Find out what the last provider got paid if you can. Then decide what you need for your time in comparison to how bad you want to do the job and there you will find the right price. If your not doing it for a living the fun of the job can often impact the price of the job.

[Bruce Weldy]

If your not doing it for a living the fun of the job can often impact the price of the job.

That is absolutely true!

I do some benefits occasionally for free. I'm more apt to do them if I'm looking forward to the acts that are involved and how I think I'll be treated.

I'm coming up on the third year of one where they treat me like a king - I'm involved with the planning up front so we make sure that everything gets considered and sound is foremost. They check on me all day long and make sure I have drinks and food. That's a fun one.

I did a different freebie for the first time this year and was treated like crap. If you treat me that way, it will cost you. If they want me back next year - it will be full price...plus a little.

[Dan56]

If you treat me that way, it will cost you. If they want me back next year - it will be full price...plus a little.

Those are the ones my friends used to refer to as PF. Personal Friend. It was their code to each other to maker sure the customer paid appropriately.