This is a learning, info swapping & advice thread. add at will.

Do you guys pay yer engineers? If you do then stop reading, if you don't then read on.

Engineering is one of the most thankless jobs in the industry IMO. Sure everyone says thanks or buys them a beer, but you should be doing that anyway. These are the real people that make a gig happen. While we're all off getting pretty or "preparing" they are laying cables (not the toilet kind), doing line checks, EQing, thinking about what mic to use where etc etc etc and generally before anyone else has arrived. Then they get all the stress of dealing with feedback/monitor problems, drunk band members knocking shit over, getting looked at because of some loud noise, told how to mix by drunk arseholes whose hearing is shot from to much booze etc etc etc. Fuck, what a lifestyle! Jealous yet? So flick em what you can; shit, helping yer mate to be able to afford his next meal ain't a bad thing.

Wow!

Next gig im at im gonna give the engineer a hummer under the desk!

Good post pune....
You are right, there were many times I felt under appreciated, but this was normally due to being the first one to the venue and the last one out, and having to stay resonably responsible to ensure the PA worked all night... where am I going.... oh yeah.... basically its a tiring situation to be in and its easy to get shitty, so easy to think that you are under appreciated. I know that I was pretty well thought of though as an PA gy and engineer in the swamp. It is something I got sick of, but it is now something I dearly miss. I miss the bigger production events I worked on.... simply because I love listening to a big outdoor rig..... and I also miss driving the bedford up onto the foot path (I almost said side walk) outside guvnors, or trying to back one of Malcolms trailors up the fire alley at the tummy.

Anyways, make sure you help out the Marked one, and Moose, and who ever else is doing a good job when you can.

I always make sure the engineer gets paid before I pay the bands when I
put on shows, though it's best when everyone involved in the show goes home with a few dollars in their pocket eh.

Agreed man, the engineer is the first one to get paid. First engineer, then any costs, then bands.

Yep, I've been there myself. Worst part was missing the after gig party cause I was packing down and then the next day people asking why I wasn't at the party, umm duh.
I'm well over that shit now though, I just don't want to see others turn into the cynical wanker I am!

too late!
I reckon being cynical is a part of the job description, probably from miissing the after parties