Roland Rock Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 (edited) You've done your encore and the DJ has cranked up some tunes. You want to pack up ASAP but are afraid that if you pull out the DI you will get the dreaded CLUNK BOOM which almost destroys the PA. Is there a universal hand gesture, recognisable across a sea of people and loud music, which means "is it safe to unplug the DI yet?"? I have tried a kind of 'pull your thumb out of a closed fist' gesture, but pretty sure that means "Poo" in sign language - maybe people just thought I was busting 😂 Edited July 30, 2015 by Roland Rock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntLockyer Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 Point to the amp and make the cutting throat signal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneknob Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 Last time that happened to me, soundman was mortified and apologised for not cutting the signal to the PA. Mind you I had been to bar, picked up pint ordered via stooge (using the universally recognised signal for "for heavens sake get me a drink before last orders is called"), swapped various small talk with audients, and returned to the stage to pack up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 Waving at him so you've got his attention and then pointing at the DI box/amp/bass and then looking querulous does it for me on the odd occasion when I've had a soundman and he's been too far away for me just to shout the question "OK to unplug?" at him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted July 30, 2015 Author Share Posted July 30, 2015 Haha, yeah, I make it sound like we always do encores,and always have a sea of people on the dancefloor. Not always the case. We always have a venue soundguy though - I think that may be an originals band thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtcat Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 Try asking using one of the stage mics. If he or she has muted them then it's probably safe to assume everything else is muted too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 [quote name='AntLockyer' timestamp='1438245564' post='2832779'] Point to the amp and make the cutting throat signal? [/quote] Yup, the throat cut is the one or if he's near enough, a punch to the side of the head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 There should be a universal system of signals for sound engineering , much like the aircraft paddle thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maude Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 [quote name='lojo' timestamp='1438272651' post='2833143'] There should be a universal system of signals for sound engineering , much like the aircraft paddle thing [/quote] There is, various amounts of or combinations of fingers, and shuffling hand gestures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 I use the DI on the amp... it is good enough and that was I control it. If using a stage box, what is the rush.. let them do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyquipment Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 Print off a sign saying CAN I UNPLUG THE THING and wave it around at the sound guy Laminate and throw it in gig bag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted July 30, 2015 Author Share Posted July 30, 2015 [quote name='tonyquipment' timestamp='1438282927' post='2833277'] Print off a sign saying CAN I UNPLUG THE THING and wave it around at the sound guy Laminate and throw it in gig bag. [/quote] I might actually do that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seashell Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Good question. I do a lot of open mics and jams, and I'm always plugging in and out of unfamiliar equipment (not a euphemism, discreet! ) :-) I'm always terrified of sticking something in the wrong hole, or pulling it out and blowing it up (honestly, really not euphemism!). A universal system of hand gestures to sound persons would be very helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 [quote name='seashell' timestamp='1438303927' post='2833474'] ...not a euphemism, discreet! [/quote] Aww..! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landwomble Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 If your band's off and the music has started - f'em. Unplug. I usually turn off my own amp but DI noise? That's the sound engineers job and as sure as eggs is eggs if a band finishes playing, they unplug... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alibabu Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 I've found that if you unplug the XLR cable first, before you unplug the guitar cable, there is no (or at least far less) noise. At least this works with the boxes I have tested with, both passive and active ones. If there is another band coming on after you, just replug the XLR cable when you are done. Using this method, I can unplug when [b]I [/b]am ready, not when the soundguy is finished checking his cellphone, making out with his girlfriend, eating his curry, reading todays newspaper, looking for his contacts, turning on his hearing aid etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjohn Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1438281291' post='2833255'] I use the DI on the amp... it is good enough and that was I control it. [/quote] Try using hand gestures? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victor5string Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 If its a DI box unplug from the DI first then you bass. You should not get any pop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squire5 Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTtswoWkGQU"]https://www.youtube....h?v=TTtswoWkGQU[/url] Watch this.Says it all really.Especially the bass bit.Sorry its not in English but then it doesn't have to be! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertbass Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 Brilliant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monckyman Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 Victor has it. Just remove your cable from the DI, then it's no longer your problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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