Live Solo Gig Setup Tutorial and Tips for Beginners

If you play live solo gigs are want to start, this is a complete guide with tips you need to know on how to set up your gear on stage!

In this guide, I'm taking through my entire setup. In fact, I filmed my actual setup for this gig! And this works for both acoustic and electric live gigs.

I also give a little bonus in the beginning with tips on how to pack your car for these solo gigs.

I truly hope this tutorial helps make the process easier for you! As always, leave me a comment with any questions, or just leave a cool comment even if you don't have questions!

Keep it Metal,
Jason

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[davidsmith-jjiq]

Props to you, for doing this solo, all the set up, finding gigs, and then playing, totally independently, thats a lot [to me] dont you get nervous, seems you put so much effort into all you do , takes some self belief, impressiv, and thats not including all the recording , and internet stuff you post, and the actual playing, you deserve more subs.

[Francob]

Bro, i love this hassle of small independent gigs where you need to bring everything yourself...love those...its all about the hard work in the early stages of day me and my girl will visit florida and come see you play dreams may come....

[Weaverssoap]

Thank you for your video! I’m over egos in bands and ready to do my own thing. Appreciate it.

[richardsteinbergmakingknives]

Well it's about time I see a solo pro setup without Bose. We are very similar with the exception of a few brands. I've done primarily solo gigs on the road for 30+ years, 20 full time, much of it Apres Ski. My board is Allen & Heath and speakers are JBL SRX 15". Monitor is a very old JBL EON. Two six string acoustics are Martin D-16 and 000-28 and 12 string is Alverez. Line 6 G90 for wireless on guitars.
Mic is Sure Beta 58.
I've got nothing against Bose systems for enclosed smaller quiet rooms with a smaller audience, but as you get bigger and/or outdoors, the Bose falls short. Put a couple of Margarita blenders in there and a party crowd and you need to push some air.
For y'all new folks out there just beginning your solo career, Jason is the real deal. Great info, thanks for the video! See ya down the road brother...

[vinnyjacobs]

a good cart=one load in one load out for me. Greetings from St. Augustine!

[papanasu]

Great video, thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience with the world!

[bassman]

Been playing bands all my life but I started to doing some solo gigs on the side, so my mindset needs to be different for those shows. This video was super helpful getting me to think of how things need to be, so I can have a successful gig. Thanks so much!

[breannawood]

Thank you so much for explaining and showing us how to set up a live event. How you explain the process was so easy to understand and learn. Great teaching 👍

[MagallanesPR]

Good video!! And nice chops!! I have a few things to add, I wish I had something like this to see way back when I started hauling my own equipment. This is how I load/handle/set-up my equipment, which support anything from a trio to a 5 pc, depending on venue budget. If you do this regularly, and by the I mean 6 to 10 time s a month, you'll want to streamline your install.
1. SUV in reverse to shortened my travel, specially with heavy equipment. At 56 y/o, my back thanks me every time!! B-)
2. Like you, I use to pack everything on a suitcase, but the OCD in me found it too messy. I got me the Rigid PRO Tool Storage System which is three rolling tool boxes in one.
3. Get yourself a hand truck. It will save a few trips and at least 15 minutes out of load-in and load-out. I use the Cosco 3-In-1 Convertible Hand Truck sold at Costco.
4. Speakers stand height is a very typical issue. I put a few turns of electrical tape at the height where I want the leg's slide to stop.
5. Wireless mics will save you at least 15 mins set-up time, and will clean up the stage nicely. I use the Phenyx Pro PTU-7000A.
6. For monitoring, get in-ears. Also much less to set-up. I use the Takstar WPM-200. It's low budget and sounds good enough to run through a gig.
7. For backing tracks I use the "Avantree Lock aptX Low Latency Wireless Transmitter and Receiver Set" to transmit via Bluetooth from an old phone I use to run Set-list Helper Android app and the tracks from within the app.
I hope this helps... sorry but my OCD drives me to contribute!! Rock On!!

[chocomoose]

Thanks! My bands having our first gig in a couple of weeks and this is real helpful!

[hxljim]

Nada como trabajar en lo que uno lo apasiona y es nuestra gran felicidad!. Saludos desde Venezuela!!-->"The passion to work in what makes us happy. Greetings from Venezuela!"

[reubenfanovich]

Jason your living the dream man
I really appreciate this video.
Nice acoustic song

[ShineDawg]

Can't tell you how much I enjoyed this! It's my goal to play live sometime in the next 5 years. I will make it happen, no doubt, inspired by people like you brother. I am local to you, and wanted to be there Oct 1 but my wife worked and our babysitter was at a music festival that weekend in Tampa. I'm gonna make it to a show ASAP. I like the tip jar, very important. When I make it to a show, I can't wait to throw something in there. Honestly after watching and being a fan for a while I have to say it all love in this metal/guitar community/family. Thanks bro, and I can't wait to come to a show. Kindly remind me when I can see you locally, I don't have Facebook. Take care, all the best!

[PriyanshuBharadwa]

Thank you Jason! I am a stand up comic who also does acoustic music concerts! I'm learning how to better my gig setup so i get let anxious and focus more on entertaining the audience 😁

This video helped me a lot! Great job 🫶🫶🫶💘

[ash_ithape]

Kings of the World is such a beautiful You're an amazing artist Jason!

[davidkellogg]

Hi Jason,
Thank you for putting this video together. Though I’m some ways away from my first gig, I found this both helpful and thoughtfully crafted.
The reminders to interact with the listeners and enjoy the process of entertaining were a great way to tie things together at the end.
with Appreciation,
David

[YogiFebriyanto]

oh man.. very kind of you for sharing this, and of course SUBSCRIBED! greetings from Jakarta, Indonesia.

[ChrisScian]

This was helpful, man...I've actually got a solo acoustic gig coming up at a local bar and they have those exact speakers...I was told to keep the levels at zero on the back led displays...I also have one of those Lute Hole sound hole covers...it seems to do the trick for the most part.

[tammanaq]

Great video! I can recommend having a duffel bag for cables and all the odd, smal things. And a foldable sack truck for rolling the two speakers in one go. The most time saving tip is to gather all the cables in cable socks for very easy and fail safe installation. So I gather the power cord and speaker cable for each side of the stage and have names on the ends. I do the same with all the rest of the cables. You'll save a lot of hassle and time by this.

[spikecleghorn]

As far as the speaker height goes you can also match the width of the stand legs and you will be even! That’s what I do anyway. Good video appreciate it!