BillFitzmaurice.info

G'day lads,
I hope you guys are doing well
After building a sound system as a hobby interest in my spare time, I'd like to take it out into the scene and let it rip! Which at the moment is proving a little harder to make contact with the right people. Whilst building the system, a few people mentioned they had feet in the door locally, however they thought I wanted to do DJ work, which I don't.. at all. I'd like to provide FOH for DJs & live sound, as at the moment I have little for DJ decks, monitors, mics & backline, am I foolish to try and launch without this equipment or any mixing experience? I have exhausted all of my immediate contacts regarding a direction to head in.
Where would a good place to start trying to promote the service locally, or make contact with people who may know? I don't want to appear to be competing, just want to join in on the fun!
Could I organize demonstrations of the system? Could I try to talk to festival coordinators? Are there any Aussies lurking here on the forum who could help?
I have so many questions, but I'll leave it at this for the moment.
Also I'm open to any advice, no matter how obvious, for someone just starting out. ("Run!" you say?)

I suppose, if you were able to book a gig somewhere like a high school, church, or sweet sixteen birthday party you might be able to contact a local DJ to do the show. It could be a good opportunity for some of the other local guys to hear your system and maybe they'd call you if they got a gig beyond their systems capability. Either way, once you're able to get your system in front of the right people, you could find yourself booked up pretty quick. I'd send a PM to Wylandrite206. I'm pretty sure he primarily does FOH work... and got really busy after purchasing eight 24" T48's.

I'll give this some more thought too and kick some ideas around with ya.

Hey Keryn, just a thought. Maybe see if you can find a local DJ doing parties or dances or weddings, but who has the typical dumb powered boxes on sticks with subs that fart out, and offer to do a gig together - their DJ expertise, your system. Might help make some connections without seeming too threatening?
Good luck!

Thanks for the suggested directions, that's a great way to go, cheers guys

After contacting a couple of local DJ companies, they've suggested a Brisbane DJ Facebook page, which looks like a good place to start promoting.
Before l do though.. questions!
-Pricing, how do l charge? By the day, the hour? It was suggested this system could be charged at $1500 (excluding tax) a night, does that sound conservative, or steep?
- Am l responsible for setting max volume levels at the venue?
- Should l insure the system?
-If the subs are setup V-Plated, and facing the audience, will l need to stop people from just wandering into the mouth & destroying their ears?
-What would the longest length cable run from the Decks/mixer to the amp be?
-Would it be correct to advertise the system of being able to service an audience of at least 1000?

My next door neighbour spoke about a friend of his who wants to coordinate EDM events, so l contacted her and took 4xT48s & 2xDR280s to her farm for a demonstration in September. There was around 20 people who came & went over the night, & the responses to the system were very positive & was asked to bring it back for her first event for 200-300 people on the farm 7-9th November
All went well with around 40hrs of run time and 32 or so Djs over the three days, l made a few connections with people and it's looking good for being hired for future events.
The site was challenging, l would've liked to stack & V-plate the subs, but the space wasn't available. What l noticed about the site was the LF was super strong ahead of the stage, l had to pull it down 12db to find a balance, but behind.. there was next to none! We were setup right in the bottom of a V shaped valley, with a steep hill behind. The bass was so strong, l moved my camp to 150m away around the hill on the flat & it was still loud! We were at 110db on the dance floor & the amp just idling. Was the topography of the site doing this..? This shot is looking forward from the stage

I'll admit l was nervous leading up to the event, that dissipated once we were up & running though, it was a great experience and a good test of this system.

Horizontal dispersion is inversely proportional to the width of the source, so the wider the source the narrower the pattern. That's usually a bad thing with respect to tops, as you're starting off with 180 degrees or less with one cab. That's why tops should seldom be arrayed horizontally. With a sub you're starting off with 360 degree dispersion, making it a good thing to go wide.

Keryn O'Shea wrote: ↑Tue Nov 18, 2025 3:52 amWhat l noticed about the site was the LF was super strong ahead of the stage, l had to pull it down 12db to find a balance, but behind.. there was next to none!

I noticed this, as well, when I went to see this.... viewtopic.php?t=26480 which had 4 T48s per side.

I'm glad for you Keryn that the event went well for you on several counts.

Bill Fitzmaurice wrote: ↑Tue Nov 18, 2025 6:58 am ..With a sub you're starting off with 360 degree dispersion..

Yes l can grasp the theory of this Bill, which is why l find it interesting when situations are experienced contrary to what should be happening. Tom has also found this first hand, and thinking back when l did the demo, the subs were stacked and V-plated in the middle of the field in the picture, then when three of us walked up to where the event was to take place, we noticed the LF dropped substantially to near nothing as we walked up to the site, about 150ft.
Though the bass was strong 1/4 mile away on the road in front of the stack. Seth has mentioned "Beam Forming" before.. could that explain it?

Tom Smit wrote: ↑Tue Nov 18, 2025 10:24 pm I noticed this, as well, when I went to see this.... viewtopic.php?t=26480 which had 4 T48s per side.

Whoa!! Man that's a beastly system

Tom Smit wrote: ↑Tue Nov 18, 2025 10:24 pm I'm glad for you Keryn that the event went well for you on several counts

Thank you very much mate

If I was there I could explain it, but there's only so much I can do without actually being there. Beam forming is a thing, ask anyone who's been subjected to a Vox AC30 on axis at 110dB while someone thirty feet to either side can't hear the guitar.

Bill Fitzmaurice wrote: ↑Thu Nov 20, 2025 8:12 am If I was there I could explain it, but there's only so much I can do without actually being there.

But l thought you had a crystal ball

Bill l was wondering if you still are actively involved in using your cabs for events or gigs? Have you kept the cabs you've built? Which are your favourites?

For the guys who are established, how did you first start? Were you part of, or know people in bands?
I'm still looking for ways to get this off the ground.
Should l approach music stores in the city with a flyer? Or offer the systems to venues free of charge for their events to get the awareness up? Shacks has a fb page, but should l develop a website..?

I stopped gigging five years ago as my drummer is no longer able to play; we've been together since 1983. Still have all my gear, just in case.

Keryn O'Shea wrote: ↑Fri Nov 21, 2025 3:24 pm Or offer the systems to venues free of charge for their events to get the awareness up?

Don't go there. You are devaluing the business. For yourself and for others.

I have no experience in renting out pro audio services, as I have only brought gear for my own use. So I cannot talk from experience. I would think you can offer your services to select charity events. Don't pick just any event, rather choose carefully. You should know in advance that your system has a chance to shine. At the very least negotiate some time to get your system dialed in for the venue. Yes, even for charity events you can and should negotiate conditions. Have your name and contact details at some of your gear. Have some business cards to hand out. Be ready to talk, answer questions, things like that.

Don't give your work away. Also don't rent out anything that you don't mind having destroyed. Rent your services as a DJ or live sound engineer along with your gear. A website is a must, and they're not expensive.