All Event and "Bar Night" Organizers Only!!

[LiquidKourage]

So is anyone in here officially incorporated while doing this and if so, can you share some of the fixed costs you have on a monthly basis?

For example:

Gas ($25)
Supplies ($20)
Insurance ($75)
Accounting/Legal
Advertising ($250)
Miscellaneous ($100)

Anything else?

Those are just numbers I put together while feeling around over the last week.
Please add yours.

I'm not incorporated, and due to Illinois' funky business laws, I don't even have a license. Apparently since I don't sell any taxable goods or have any employees, I don't need a license to operate as a sole proprietorship. They actually refused my application for one...

Anyway, as far as monthly costs go, there are a ton of variables to take into consideration. I don't have insurance (I used to, but it was costly and only covered liability, not equipment), and don't really have accounting or legal costs (being a sole proprietorship). But, I probably spend $100 a month for gas, about $50 a month on DLC, $400 a month on advertising, and about another $100 or so for this and that.

Hope this helps.

[Bundleup]

Harmonix, I am begging you, BEGGING YOU, to focus more on releasing popular music with female vocalists. BEGGING YOU!!! Two weeks ago it was Spongebob Squarepants, last week it was another installment of 'Country Band' (this is Rock Band, right?) and this week you release...Chinese Democracy...you could have at least thrown in Sweet Child Of Mine...When I host I spend half my nights listening to every No Doubt song you have released, matter of fact, of my top 20 requested songs the past six months, 6 of them are by No Doubt, so there should be NO DOUBT that we need more DLC of this type...please, maybe the kids at home who play guitar only like Chinese Democracy, and maybe the boys down at the old Honky Tonk like Toby Keith, but you gotta help us out here and give us what the girls want.

Thank you,

A concerned Rock Band Host.

[YRDaddy]

Harmonix, I am begging you, BEGGING YOU, to focus more on releasing popular music with female vocalists. BEGGING YOU!!! Two weeks ago it was Spongebob Squarepants, last week it was another installment of 'Country Band' (this is Rock Band, right?) and this week you release...Chinese Democracy...you could have at least thrown in Sweet Child Of Mine...When I host I spend half my nights listening to every No Doubt song you have released, matter of fact, of my top 20 requested songs the past six months, 6 of them are by No Doubt, so there should be NO DOUBT that we need more DLC of this type...please, maybe the kids at home who play guitar only like Chinese Democracy, and maybe the boys down at the old Honky Tonk like Toby Keith, but you gotta help us out here and give us what the girls want.

Thank you,

A concerned Rock Band Host.

Harmonix will give you what ever they feel like it and you will like it ! You have to remember, this game was never intended to be used as a "business tool". It is simply a video game. We are just oppurtunistic business minded people that are taking advantage of a trend. Please keep the plees and cries for more "popular DLC" in the Ultimate Setlist section of the forums. They will do no good here (or probably over there either LOL). Thanks

[Cptn_Squishy]

Im trying to start a bar night in the Philly area and im trying to get it started on a shoestring budget (until i have enough jobs lined up until i have enough upgrades and backups).

so far i have:

xbox/controllers/game
3 19" HDTVs with display stands
120G drive

how essential is a portable PA system? i understand that i cant run without it for TOO long, but can i start without one?

thanks
David
Plastic Metal Entertainment

[Cptn_Squishy]

Its great that this thread exists, as it will help me much as i try to start my own business...but harmonix should give us our own section, not only will it allow us to read somethign a little more organized (a thread about equipment, another for tax concerns, another about security/insurance questions etc etc), but it will allow harmonix to monitor our progress and jump in with advice if they feel like it.

[Zoologico]

I am awaiting a follow up to that March post about Start a Band. Rock your Bar. I already emailed the contact info that came out with that post and I recommend you do too. It could mean some discounts and promotional materials that would help to reduce some of the costs associated with trying to start up or run.

Here is the link: http://www.rockband.com/news/rock_your_bar
Here is the email: RockBandbarnights@mtv.com

Regarding the shoe-string budget, I would advise that you compile some more funds and not start underfunded. The way I figure this is that there will be a good amount of competition from traditional DJs and karaoke and you don't want to be the guy showing up with what will seem like mostly toys.

I do believe that this is viable, but it's got to be presented and staged properly as you bringing a professional service and you've got to convince these folks that you are offering a service worth paying for. The less professional your equipment is, the more you have to make up for it in all other areas.

That's my feeling on it as I am trying to approach this from as realistic of a business perspective as possible.

I think that is part of what this organization would do is generate some guidelines and best practices to help those in the same line of work maintain a consistent offering and elevate exposure and respect for the business.

This week I am studying karaoke hosts at some of the establishments I want to bring this to within the next couple of weeks. I want to learn some things I want to use when I sell this and provide the service, and also make sure I don't make silly mistakes when I roll this out.

I also want to see what equipment they use. Check out this pic of a DJ setup local to me.

Nice Setup

I would not mind having a setup like this. This will be a more ergonomic setup than one from a system that stands vertically.

[YRDaddy]

how essential is a portable PA system? i understand that i cant run without it for TOO long, but can i start without one?

If the bar does not have a PA to use then I highly suggest that you wait until you aquire one. Think about it, would you venture out of your home to play rock band if they only had the audio from the TV's?? That would sound horrible...

I am awaiting a follow up to that March post about Start a Band. Rock your Bar. I already emailed the contact info that came out with that post and I recommend you do too. It could mean some discounts and promotional materials that would help to reduce some of the costs associated with trying to start up or run.

Here is the link: http://www.rockband.com/news/rock_your_bar
Here is the email: RockBandbarnights@mtv.com

WOW! Thanks! I had no idea that this program was going on. Maybe I should venture outside of the forums section once and a while... Later!

[Zoologico]

So can anyone comment on your lighting setups?
What kind of rigs are you using?
Modules?
Interactivity with music?

[YRDaddy]

So can anyone comment on your lighting setups?
What kind of rigs are you using?
Modules?
Interactivity with music?

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...uss?sku=451068

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...ght?sku=803107 (x2)

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...ulb?sku=803076 (x4 with colored lenses)

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...ave?sku=810112 (x4 with colored gels)

Rock Band Stage Kit

Chauvet "octopus light"... but the motor went out on it

I've tried to stay sound activated or permenantly on for the lighting so far but eventually I do plan to purchase some controllers for the lights. For the new guys, if you tally up the above items, it really is'nt a ridiculas amount of money and it really adds a big impact to the show! Later!

[Ravaana]

When it comes to lighting, here in Austin at Elysium, we tend to just stick to the stage and house lights. Elysium has a fairly nice setup, and entertains live bands regularly; and with our house DJs managing the sound levels and light effects, we seems to do pretty well.

Recently I acquired a new mixer, and was debating on adding it to my setup, but I know that it isn't as extensive as our house mixer. Which we currently use to pump the sound through the club.

I have been thinking of many possible ways to expand the setup, from adding another screen for the vocalist and other band mates; to once again go back to using the Blockhead/ 1/4 to usb conversion setups for wireless. The biggest issue with these, however, is the fact that people like to play the cowbell. And I worry about damage to the equipment just a bit more than I should. But, like I said before, I do this for fun.

The thought of using the Rock Band Stage kit, seems kinda trivial to me. I think it would put too much onto the stage, and create an excessive amount of light pollution. At least in our case.