[NeilW]

Communication is the name of the game here, especially finding out as much about the details of the bands in advance.

The technique I use most commonly in multi-band situations is to create a generic festival style input list that covers all the requirements of all the bands. If one band has 2 guitars and another has 4, then 4 guitar channels are allocated. If the band has only one guitar it will be guitar 1, two guitars would be 1 and 2, and so on. This is easily applied to almost all sections of the band, including drums (especially toms), keyboards, and even vocals. On larger shows, these inputs may also be sorted by location such as SL Guitars 1-4, SR Guitars 1-4.

Then, to keep things straight at the gig, its time for a nice spreadsheet. First column is channel number, second column is the channel name from the generic patch, and then i create a column for each band, which lists the inputs that will be used by each band. I have attached an example below. It may also be helpful to indicate subsnake channel assignments on this sheet.
As always, be prepared for changes in band requirements and have a suitable number of channels on hand to deal with this, maybe assigned as generic or DI lines in the patch.

Sub boxes are a must, even if its just for the drum kit, they can substantially reduce the amount of cable and time needed to wire a stage. My preferred setup is one box USC for the drums, one each USL and USR and one DSC for vocal mics and acoustic guitar DI's. In bigger situations, sub boxes with multipin connectors combined with rolling risers allow entire drum kits or keyboard rigs to be prepared back stage before quickly being moved into position, making changeovers as short as 5 or 10 mins possible.

The next step is to label everything...desk, stagebox, subsnake boxes, mic cables, mics and even mic stands. Suitable use of coloured tape and a sharpie can make it clear which subboxes need which inputs, and which colour tails they correspond to at the main stagebox, as well as clearly identifying the intended use of each mic.

If you are lucky enough to have sound check time, it is often worth starting with the headline or last band to play, then soundchecking each band in turn, as this allows backline to be prepared on stage in the order that it can then be removed as bands play, and also leaves your settings ready for the first band to play.

In the absence of soundcheck time, a generic festival patch can ease the pressure, as it keeps the same inputs coming up the same channels all night, a guitar input should always be a guitar, and the numbering scheme helps to match what you see on stage, you dont have to work out if that lone electric guitarist is going to come down guitar sl 1 or guitar sr 4! I have used this method for everything from a 4 act battle of the band contest with 24 inputs, to a 4 day festival with over 40 bands and 48 lines from stage. In the latter situation, it was only possible to have a 5 minute line check between acts to check that all inputs were working, and then the act began. After the first couple of bands, all that was required was small tweaks to gain and eq, and adjustment of levels to taste for each band!

The benefit of a good assistant on stage cannot be overrated! Ideally should be someone who is good with logistics and planning, with a good knowledge of sound to ensure that microphones are placed correctly, and to undertake any necessary on the fly trouble shooting. People skills are also very helpful when it comes to dealing with fast paced changeovers, panicing musicians and tight schedules mean that the ability to stay calm and handle issues diplomatically is a must. It is also useful for them to have several copies of the patch list, a sharpie and a torch!

This has turned out longer than i planned, but this is just some of the advice I have picked up over the last few years, from working as the 4th man on the crew setting up and striking mic stands, through being patch master at multi-band events, and then out to FOH at bigger festivals where I fully realised the importance of getting the patch done the right way! Whilst some of this may be over kill for a small event, I have found many of the techniques to be time saving and useful down to the smallest of events.

Neil