Dad3353

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1504476107' post='3365170']... [size=3][b]Soon Come: [/b]All-New BassChat marketplace [/size] [/quote] How fitting..! GAS fitting... GAS..? Fitting..? No..? Never mind; I was just leaving anyway.

When I was involved in our summer festival (Les 3 Elephants...), we ran a shuttle minibus to pick up band members arriving by train, 50 Km away. The festival stages had backline provided, corresponding to the technical spec we'd received, of course, and many of the groups had separate transport for their gear. Many flew in, to Paris or to Rennes; I suppose that counts as public transport..? For local gigging bands here, however, some sort of autonomy is essential.

No specific experience with Gumtree, but, in general, I'd suggest that there are as many successes as failures, and that every occasion is unique; there are no 'hard and fast' rules to follow. There's an element of lottery in there; you pays yer money, you takes yer choice. What looks to be a good deal can turn sour; a 'non-starter' could be the opening of a lifetime. Just sayin'.

This is not the 'official' response, but I'll offer it anyway... We have quite enough trouble getting the current, few, mandatory fields filled, and the 'Sold' flag is rather a sore point with me, as I spend a great deal of time sorting out the crazy stuff in the Marketplace (OK, I'm old, so I have time to spare. True, but by the same token, I have that much time left for doing stuff..!). There is a 'new, improved' forum being (slowly...) prepared, with some features that have been wanting, both by members and by Mods and Admins for some time, but I doubt that it will be the 'all-dancing, all singing' '[i]usine de gaz[/i]' that's often suggested. Meanwhile, keep the ideas coming in, they're all carefully considered, but don't expect miracles, that's what cathedrals are for. Edit: Ped's faster at typing than me, it seems..!

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1504460937' post='3365041'] It's got eve more cliquey for drummers now...I've seen the headline act drummers actually removing their felts from cymbal stands as well. [/quote] They're breakable..? They're not drummers, they're bar stewards.

Ta... Ooo... That's so much better..!

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1504455640' post='3364979']...except for the twerkaholic dancer... [/quote] Like a fool, I [i]had [/i]to look it up. Hmm... Bad idea. Mind bleach, please..?

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1504454113' post='3364962'] What's a shellpack? [/quote] A set of drums, just the 'shells', not the stands, cymbals etc, although cymbals/snare stands [i]would [/i]count if we're talking transportation, because of the weight. The drummer just brings his/her 'breakables', ie: snare drum, cymbals, sticks, pedal... Didn't you learn nuffin' at uni music studies..?

My age, exactly, too. Don't leave it too late, folks. Now where did I put that bucket list..? Hmm...

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1504445525' post='3364882'] Hire a trailer? [/quote] Certainly 'do-able', I towed a trailer with my Renault Espace for a couple of years. Seven seated and the whole caboodle (drums, PA, backline...) in the trailer. The OP, however, was hoping to reduce ferry costs; I believe a trailer would scupper that, as there's be a supplement (could be wrong...).

The 'Sunlite' one does, for certain.

There's oodles of software out there, ranging from quite a few free or Open Source ones to very sophisticated systems with 3D emulation of moving heads. The harder part is choosing an adequate hardware interface. I've not looked into it, but there could be a Raspberry Pi solution; it would seem to be the ideal platform for such an interface. I'll have a look and see... Edit: Here's one, at least... [url="http://www.instructables.com/id/Raspberry-Pi-as-a-DMX-light-controller/"]Raspberry Pi DMX interface...[/url] ... and another ... [url="http://bitwizard.nl/shop/DMX-interface-for-Raspberry-pi-with-usb-(FT245RL)"]Another Dmx Interface ...[/url] ... and there's more. Hmm... I might have a go myself; our youngest has a Pi already. A winter's project, maybe...

Put the heavy cubes in first, and get 'em packed tight so that they can't shift about at all. Sometimes laying 'em flat, face down, is worthwhile. You'll want the weight in the middle of the van, not to one side, so balance 'em out. Anything 'crushable' (drums..? cymbals..?) goes at the very top. Mic and PA stands can often slide under the seats, or in the foot well. Once all is in, cover the lot with a thick blanket, or your drum rug. Nothing should be able to swill about; all must be wedged against something else. As said above, do a couple of trial runs; it often happens that, perfectly packed going out, it becomes an impossible Chinese puzzle after the gig. Things seem to expand..! For a 'normal' sized band, there should be plenty enough room. For a Genesis tour, it might be a tight squeeze.

[quote name='HazBeen' timestamp='1504430037' post='3364727']...and presidents can [b]imagine that they[/b] run a country by Tweet..... supposedly. [/quote] Fixed. ...

[quote name='bazztard' timestamp='1504410125' post='3364656']...one bus an hour... [/quote] One bus an hour..? Luxury..! Our nearest bus runs from the village five miles away. One service only, to the county town and back (50 Kms each way...), twice a day, at 08h10 and 13h02, during school term time. At all other times, it runs by appointment (..!), as long as one is subscribed beforehand. On the other hand, it's fairly inexpensive at 2€ (£1.70..?) for a single, or 50€ (£45..?) for a calendar month season ticket. I think I'll be keeping my car for a while yet.

One downside to using public transport, when it exists at all, must be the reliance on timetables and connections. I'd imagine (I've never done it for gigging...) that there's quite a lot of waiting around involved. As a drummer (with the PA...), it's been a no-no from the outset, but it can work for some, albeit in limited circumstances.

[quote name='redbandit599' timestamp='1504380899' post='3364546']... I understand I'll need software and some kind of interface... [/quote] Much more powerful than the needs expressed, but excellent stuff, and easy to use. The current version works with iPads, Android etc... [url="https://www.nicolaudie.com/en/suite2.htm#undefined"]Sunlite Suite DMX Controller ...[/url] I used previous version for several years, very successfully. May be too pricey for you, I dunno, but it's very good.

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1504371336' post='3364469'] I have quite a lot of black foam packaging which would be ideal for string mutes - unlikely I'll ever use it - anybody want it? [/quote] Shame it's not blue; would have worked otherwise.