I'm naive when it comes to sound and all, but I'd have the band play three or four times, catch the gig in closeups and master shots and get some crowd shots. Sync it up bit by bit with proper audio and where the sync doesn't work cut to the crowd, or something else that does sync.

It's not like you're trying to catch dialogue during the gig. You should catch sound in order to help the sync process but I wouldn't really worry about catching good sound as a basement is probably not going to give you high quality.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

Sorry if you misinterpreted the questions. Ill rephrase them...

I am doing a set music video, it is not a live gig. I need the band to hear the music while they are playing (mainly the drummer) so that they can play along with the music so that their movements with their instruments match/sync up to the song.

Whats the best way to PA this so that everyone can hear the music?

Usually I would just use a boombox, but drums are pretty loud so im thinking i need to put a monitor close to the drummer, unless someone else knows a better way?

Thanks for your replies!

Visualization is the art of seeing things invisible.

I understood that, I was just questioning why not have them play. Since you're not recording the sound you don't need to rig it for sound, just use the sound to help you sync with the real soundtrack you're gonna use. Odds are most of it will sync well if they've played the song a few times they have the timing down. Where it doesn't match you cut to something else that matches from a different take.

How to actually set up what you're asking I don't know.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

I've never done this before, but you'd probably want the loudest speaker(s) you could get by the drummer, and just have the guitarists' amps turned down so that their playing doesn't add extra noise. The band can then play along with the music. In post, cut the video how you want it, remove the audio from those takes, and then add in a real recording of the song. If there was a way to make the drums not as loud when played, it would also help in allowing the guitarists/vocalists to perform in sync.

I've made more than 40 music videos.

I use the biggest, most powerful PA system I can find. More than
just just drummer needs to hear the play back as clear and loud
as possible.

I usually have four or five wedges and often a wireless system with
each band member using earbuds. Not always practical, but very useful
if I can hide them.

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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

Ok Thanks!

I thought that I was most likely going to need some fairly powerful PAs but I wasn't sure.
Sucks I just got rid of a whole PA system from my old band!

Guess im gonna have to rent one!

Thanks guys!

Visualization is the art of seeing things invisible.