Firstly Always check for a Sound Limiter. Some venues will not mention  this unless you ask. They can spoil a party and ruin equipment. They cut off the power supply used when sound levels reach their own programmed limit. (the lowest a band can usually cope with is about 100db) any lower and most bands will trip it!  it is always worth asking if a venue has had bands before, even though they will mostly say yes even if it was an acoustic string quartet! It is worth noting that some of the venues that have limiters often use a different power source so the band won’t cut out!            

An obvious yet overlooked venue observation is to note where the Bar is in relation to the band stage area. In our experience people mostly congregate around the Bar. If this is situated in another room it can effect the party dynamics.                                                                                           

If a venue is used to having bands then there is often easy access for getting equipment in. Although always good to check where the “Get In” is. This saves much time the easier the get in.

Our set up time is about an hour. We allow ourselves at least 2 hours where ever possible. Bare in mind start timings if the evening function is in the same room as a wedding breakfast. Although the venue will tell you they can change the room around in an hour, often there is no space to even begin setting up band equipment until the most important tables are moved or a dance floor is laid first and the stage area is cleared!  This can sometimes delay the bands set up unless the venue staff are on the case . We will always arrive in plenty of time to check out the “Get In” and set up before doing anything else to allow for stairs ,lifts etc.

Seven T are very efficient at setting up and completely noise free. No sound checks are needed as we line check the band only.

Acoustics of a room can alter the atmosphere sometimes. A noisy High Ceiling type room with no carpet can sound washy and Hall like. Although our sound equipment and experience can deal with this challenge ,if there is a choice we recommend carpeted ,dry rooms , marquees (outdoors) is always welcome!  7T’s sound will be amazing regardless !

If you are arranging your own DJ then bare in mind this is an additional space needed for them to set up in. The advantage of using 7T’s DJ is it all comes through one speaker system. Booking your own DJ is fine but depending on what equipment they have may take up more space. This can and has worked very well in our experience for larger venues.  An alternative DJ cannot connect through our speaker system unless we know them.  Our DJ is also contained in our stage set up area too, maximizing space!