If you are in the entertainment industry you understand that there is a ton of work that goes into it. From prep to equipment, the list goes on and on. There are many moving parts and it takes a team of people to have a successful performance.
Musicians, performers, and AV crew are always looking for ways to save time and to stay organized. When you have tight schedules or are traveling, you want to make sure that your process becomes like a well-oiled machine. How you prep for your gigs is just as important as the performance itself and what you do beforehand can make or break it.
One of the most effective methods for having a successful show is by putting in the legwork to stay organized with all of your gear. There are many different wires, cables, and equipment that get used during a performance. By taking the extra time to organize them, you can avoid missing gear or having to spend time untangling wires.
Organizing Gear
Over time it can become easy to be lazy when it comes to gear storage. When you are travelling from place to place, you will likely want to just tear down your gear and throw it in a road case and get out of there. What frequently happens to musicians when they are packing up in a rush is that things get lost and damaged.
Not only does this cost you time at the next gig, but it can also cost you money if you have to keep replacing damaged gear. Hook and loop organizers are one of the best options for cable storage solutions because many can stay attached to the cables and as you are packing up, you just coil them and secure them with the pre-attached Velcro cable wraps.
Benefits of Proper Cable Management
Through the use of cable straps, your cable management can improve significantly. By having your cables coiled up neatly, there is less of a chance that things will get tangled. It also helps to prevent any type of damage to the cables.
Depending on the type of cable strap you choose, you can even label or color coordinate your gear. This can be incredibly useful when it comes to sorting gear. Having things color-coded is a quick way for people to be able to group items together and to quickly be able to find them.
When you have hook fasteners that are made of VELCRO® they are fast and easy to use. Another option that many people use are zip-ties or even gaffers tape. Zip-ties can be good for long-term storage, but for quick and easy access they are not ideal because you need a knife or scissors in order to remove. Gaffers tape can work in a pinch, but it can leave a sticky residue on the cables.
Organization Solutions
Experts will be able to tell you that you need to be organized and prepared when working in production. You never know when a problem will arise and there are times when you have to act quickly and move fast. It is during these times that being organized can really save you.
Taking the extra few minutes to organize and store your gear properly can make a huge difference and help your team to be less stressed. When organized you are able to deal with problems efficiently when they crop up. While it may be a pain in the moment, most roadies will tell you to coil your cables properly and to put things where they belong.
When you are on the road things are wired all over the place and things are constantly moving. In order to keep track of everything having a system that works for you and your team is the smartest thing you can do. As the saying goes, “work smarter, not harder.” This is particularly true when it comes to working in the entertainment industry.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are a new roadie or a seasoned one or even a performer or musician, getting your process down to a science can really improve the overall quality of your show, and in turn, can help to create a less stressful environment. Staying organized helps you to focus on the things that really matter rather than constantly having to be worried about the little details.
Many will tell you that the little details add up and they are important to pay attention to. This is especially true when it comes to sound gear and equipment. Another good practice is to keep an extra stash of gear you need; a first-aid kit of sound and studio gear. Having extra gaffing tape, zip-ties, cable fasteners, and some other basic sound equipment can really make a difference when you need a spare.