Setup songs?

What song or songs do you guys play when setting up for an event to test everything. Is there any reason why you use it or do you just like it, and no one else ever wants to hear it. :sqlaugh:

Frankenstein- Edgar Winter Group tests all limits.............

I use Yeah! - Usher it requries the most bass response I will use at a wedding.

I also pick something quite and slow to listen to the room.

It is all about checking levels.

Good Call Cam I also use it. Along with 1,2 Step.

Bounce to the Ounce by Zapp and Roger the man Troutman> why, not sure it just makes me happy to hear it

As long as there are no guests there, I play whatever I want to hear, but included in that is songs from several genres, as I want to hear what they all sound like..... Of course with that handy dandy new system, I expect they will ALL sound good! :sqwink:

I've used the following,

Axel F
Sandstorm - Darude
Kiss By A Rose - Seal

I used to use 1,2 step - great crisp high's bouncing back and fourth between speakers and nice bass

The last 6 months or so I've been using Apologize (Timbaland)...starts off low and mostly vocals...then hits full range with a lot of bass - plus it sound GREAT cranked up!

I tend to start out with Prince-Kitty Control.

Then after a few tweaks, I bust out Khia-My Neck, My Back.

Then try out Ice Cubes- You Can Do It, at max volume to see if the breakers will hold.....:sqlaugh::sqlaugh::sqlaugh:


Of course...I'm Kidding:sqlaugh:

We use Pink Floyd's Dark Side CD sometimes. It has nice depth to it. Also, we'll put on any pre-requested tunes like the B&G's playlist just to make sure that's it's gonna sound OK.

YOU SHOOK ME ALL NIGHT LONG (AC/DC) - for the screeching
SHAKE YOUR RUMP (Beastie Boys) - for the bass
YA DUN NO (Burro Banton) - to make sure that the coolest song in the world sounds the coolest that it can possibly sound
SWEET CHILD O' MINE (Guns 'N' Roses) - when my light guy is with me, so that I can get a second opinion

I use two or three of the following:

The Way You Move - Outkast
What a Shame About Me - Steely Dan
Boogie Down - Al Jarreau
Poetry Man - Phoebe Snow

If it's a wedding reception, I also play the couple's First Dance song to make sure it sounds good.

I like to put on a long song (10+ minutes) when I start to tear down.

Often use full length version of "Got To Give It Up" by Marvin Gaye.

Or a medley by "Stars on 45".

Or (not sure if anyone is familiar with this one) "Debra" by Beck. It's so cheesy and makes me laugh at the mocking but sincere way he does it.

I tend to test with the "Def Dub Mix" of "Dreamlover" by Mariah Carey, because it has very long build in of percussion, drums, and then keys. It's a completely different production than the original (LP) version.

Really?! I had no idea I should be using specific set up songs to test the various sound components! Dang! Learn something new every day around here! Thanks for the tip, gentlemen.

The Eagles - Hotel California live
George Strait - Amirillo By Morning
Metallica - Enter Sandman
F.R. David - Words
Eminem - Either Shake That or Without Me
Dire Straits - Usually Money For Nothing but anything from the BIA album

I also "aquired" a THX Bass test some years ago I use

Funny anecdote...

One of the worst shows I ever did was an afternoon brunch with karaoke in honor of a babys Christening. The families hated each other, and neither would dance if anyone from the other family was dancing...so it was a nightmare.

ANYWHO...they gave me the wrong time to get there, so I arrived "early" to set up, to find they guest already milling about. I set up my equipment the randomly grabbed a disc to do a sound check...

Randomly...at a Christening...for a baby...

The song? Hell Is For Children.

Eek.

In retrospect, thats funny, dont care who you are, LOL...at the time it wasnt though. No fallout, just my personal horror, LOL.

I use "Taking Care of Business"......BTO.....for Bass Response

Then several Smooth Jazz Cuts,......Dave Koz, Peter White, Jeff Golub....for separation, Mids and Highs....

Serious! All this is nooz to me! It makes sense though. I usually just put anything on to test the volume; check the mic for feedback, etc.

So, I'm supposed to listen to the highs and lows?! What am I listening for? I don't know that I have a discerning ear to know if the bass or treb sounds good or not.

I do know I've put on a specific tune in the past and have heard, for instance, a whole lot of rumbling bass. "Come Together" by the Bea'les is one example.

So what am I supposed to be hearing and listening for and adjusting?

--Will

Serious! All this is nooz to me! It makes sense though. I usually just put anything on to test the volume; check the mic for feedback, etc.

So, I'm supposed to listen to the highs and lows?! What am I listening for? I don't know that I have a discerning ear to know if the bass or treb sounds good or not.

I do know I've put on a specific tune in the past and have heard, for instance, a whole lot of rumbling bass. "Come Together" by the Bea'les is one example.

So what am I supposed to be hearing and listening for and adjusting?

--Will

Just the general hygiene of the system, to be sure all connection appear to be connected, to be sure all components of the speakers are operating...nothing got jolted during transport etc..., then paying attention to the system in relation to the room, and possibly readjusting position of speakers, mixer settings, etc...then walking around looking for dead/hot spots in the room, and if using a wireless, carrying that along to check for dead spots or interference or other reception issues...

For me, it's the Scumfrog remix of "Run To You" by Bryan Adams.

Lovers Question by Clyde McPhatter

For Horns and Such:

Anything by "The Brian Setzer Orchestra" or "Big Kahuna And The Copa Cats".

General Sounds:

Anything by "The Neville Brothers"

Hard Rocking:

Motley Crue or Judas Priest

Oldies:

Elvis

I will never use any song that I'm not 1,000% familiar with...

Wow, this thread made two pages. I was figuring I might get a few replies before it disappeared. Thanks to everyone who made a reply. :sqbiggrin:

Temptations-Papa Was a Rolling Stone
Michael Jackson-Don't Stop...
Dawn Penn-No, No, No