10 Ways to Save Time at a Gig and Streamline Your Setup

Playing gigs is a blast, but setting up and breaking down can be a time-consuming headache. Every musician knows the frustration of scrambling to untangle cables, adjust settings, or deal with last-minute issues before a show. The good news? A little planning goes a long way. Here are ten practical ways to speed up your setup and breakdown, so you can focus on what really matters—your performance.

1. Pre-Load Setlists and Presets

Have your setlists ready and any presets for pedals or sound equipment programmed in advance. This minimizes fiddling with settings during soundcheck or mid-gig.

2. Color-Code Your Cables

Use colored tape or sleeves on cables for easy identification. For instance, label microphone cables in red, instrument cables in blue, and power cables in green. This makes finding the right cable quick and straightforward.

3. Have a Spare Gear Kit

Bring a small kit with spare strings, picks, batteries, adapters, and cables. This ensures you're prepared for quick fixes instead of scrambling to borrow gear if something goes wrong.

4. Use Cable Ties or Velcro Straps

In addition to Wrap Rabbit, secure your cables with Velcro straps or cable ties to keep them from getting tangled in transit. This makes unpacking and setting up much faster.

5. Group Your Gear for Each Stage of the Setup

Pack your gear in the order you'll set it up. For example, have all your stage essentials (pedals, instrument stands, etc.) together and any non-essentials packed separately.

6. Use a Pedalboard Power Supply with Multiple Outputs

Instead of using separate power adapters for each pedal, use a power supply that powers all your pedals from one source. This reduces cable clutter and saves setup time.

7. Set Up a Personal Monitor Mix Ahead of Time

If possible, set up your personal monitor mix at home or save the settings on your digital mixer. This saves time when you're dialing in your stage sound at the venue.

8. Automate Your Lighting

Use pre-programmed lighting sequences or sound-triggered lights. This reduces the need for manual control and can create a more dynamic performance with minimal effort.

9. Pack Your Gear in Rolling Cases

Use rolling cases or carts for your gear to make load-in and load-out faster. This reduces the number of trips needed to move your equipment.

10. Coordinate with Bandmates on Setup Duties

Assign setup tasks to each band member. For example, one person handles the PA system while another sets up the drum kit. This way, everything gets done simultaneously instead of one step at a time.

Final Thoughts

Time is valuable when playing gigs, and a smoother setup means less stress and more energy for your performance. By organizing your gear, planning ahead, and working efficiently with your bandmates, you can maximize your time on stage and minimize the hassle before and after the show. Try out these tips at your next gig and see how much time you save!