Testing and Tagging of Musical Instruments for Live Shows

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Testing and Tagging of Musical Instruments for Live Shows

Postby ether » Sat Aug 15, 2015 11:56 am

I've got some shows soon at Carriageworks in Sydney, and have been asked to insure all my gear has been appropriately "tested and tagged". I've got synths, drum machines, computers, mixers... all sorts. In fact, there's potentially 5 of us involved, so the gear list is pretty long.

Over the years I've played mostly pub rock gigs and underground electronic events, so this is the first time this has actually come up for me. I imagine its pretty commonplace for touring acts in larger spaces.

I have at least one sparky friend I'll ask about this, plus the tradey who does things around the house, but I was wondering if the T'Rock Brains Trust had some advice and thoughts.

Who gets their studio gear regularly tested and tagged?

What is the accepted "industry standard" for "proper" live shows here in Australia?

Any other things to know?

Thanks!
- AJ

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http://itunes.apple.com/au/artist//id169133326

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Re: Testing and Tagging of Musical Instruments for Live Show

Postby stosostu » Sat Aug 15, 2015 4:44 pm

Basically, anything that plugs into the mains has to be tested and tagged, if it is portable gear it should be tagged every 12 months (http://www.appliancetaggingservices.com ... %204_1.jpg) unless it is hired gear, in which case it must be tested prior to each hiring.

The testing required is:

Visual inspection
Insulation resistance
Earth continuity
Polarity
Earth leakage

It must be carried out by a "Competent Person" - A competent person is someone who has acquired - through training, qualification or experience - the knowledge and skills to carry out inspections and testing of electrical equipment. *This need not be an electrician*. On completion of testing a test tag must be affixed and a record kept of the test and date.

It is fairly easy to find a one day course (at TAFE etc) to become a competent person, then you can do it all yourself, as and when required.

This, along with Public Liability Insurance, gear insurance, and an APRA AMCOS licence is becoming a requirement at a lot of larger venues these days.
Bob Charman - Stockport Sound, SA
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Re: Testing and Tagging of Musical Instruments for Live Show

Postby gigpiglet » Sat Aug 15, 2015 7:00 pm

hi aj
what bob says... its "law" and yes you have to have it done.
certain venue ask that it be so (think government... carriageworks, opera house, etc)
some even look to check (most dont - just by asking they have covered their paperwork trail)

depending on how many pieces it is i may be able to sort it for you (as im just around the corner)
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Re: Testing and Tagging of Musical Instruments for Live Show

Postby jasound » Sun Aug 16, 2015 9:38 am

I thought it was 6 monthly test an tag checks for mobile equipment.
I could be wrong OHS is not my strong point. Growth area though. Fun.
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Re: Testing and Tagging of Musical Instruments for Live Show

Postby ether » Sun Aug 16, 2015 12:53 pm

thanks all - sorted now as one of the crew turned out to be qualified for this

paperwork! i LOVE paperwork!
- AJ

aj.music@me.com
Chalmers St, Redfern
0488 303 600

http://itunes.apple.com/au/artist//id169133326

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Re: Testing and Tagging of Musical Instruments for Live Show

Postby stosostu » Sun Aug 16, 2015 2:13 pm

Regarding whether it is a 6 month or 12 month interval for testing, it depends on your (or an inspectors) interpretation of the rules, see the link I gave. It is 6 months in a "place of work" or 12 months for equipment with a flexible supply cord that could be damaged. Your guess is as good as mine as to which applies in this case. :p
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Re: Testing and Tagging of Musical Instruments for Live Show

Postby The Tasmanian » Sun Aug 16, 2015 2:24 pm

"Testing and Tagging of Musical Instruments for Live Shows"
"This, along with Public Liability Insurance, gear insurance, and an APRA AMCOS licence is becoming a requirement at a lot of larger venues these days."

What a joke!
Pass all of the venues insurance liabilities and costs onto lowly paid muso's!
Forcing us to have insurance of all our own gear? WTF ?
Now I know this - I'll make sure I triple (at least) my price for anything to do with larger venues.
Penny pinching scamming pricks.
C h r i z t o w n o
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Re: Testing and Tagging of Musical Instruments for Live Show

Postby ether » Sun Aug 16, 2015 5:29 pm

Luckily - as the ATO reminded us all recently - we musos all earn $300K per annum, so no big deal x_x
- AJ

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Chalmers St, Redfern
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http://itunes.apple.com/au/artist//id169133326

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Re: Testing and Tagging of Musical Instruments for Live Show

Postby The Tasmanian » Sun Aug 16, 2015 7:37 pm

But AJ - It wasn't the ATO that had stated this young muso earned 300K.
# it was an LNP "pamphlet" - the girl in the "pamphlet" was a paid actor - she was not a muso....
very sad BS propaganda indeed!
She was tagged and tested - failed.
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Re: Testing and Tagging of Musical Instruments for Live Show

Postby Text_Edifice » Sun Aug 16, 2015 8:17 pm

Best actual available data pegs median income for performing musicians at about $7.5k / year.

That's skewed of course as people can self-identify as performing musicians. Still.
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Re: Testing and Tagging of Musical Instruments for Live Show

Postby Thirteen » Sun Aug 16, 2015 8:17 pm

The Tasmanian wrote:"Testing and Tagging of Musical Instruments for Live Shows"
"This, along with Public Liability Insurance, gear insurance, and an APRA AMCOS licence is becoming a requirement at a lot of larger venues these days."

What a joke!
Pass all of the venues insurance liabilities and costs onto lowly paid muso's!
Forcing us to have insurance of all our own gear? WTF ?
Now I know this - I'll make sure I triple (at least) my price for anything to do with larger venues.
Penny pinching scamming pricks.


Why is it unreasonable to expect musicians to insure their personal belongings?

As for the public liability side I would expect that we have Hip Hop acts to thank for that. When there is Hip Hop at the venue near me there is often a lot of violence and the street is a mess and the local buildings get tagged.

I wouldn't be too hard on venues, if they weren't facing the same financial crush as musicians they wouldn't all be closing their doors. Swap the word "venue" for "recording Studio" and it might give it some better perspective.
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Re: Testing and Tagging of Musical Instruments for Live Show

Postby The Tasmanian » Tue Aug 18, 2015 9:39 pm

Q: Why is it unreasonable to expect musicians to insure their personal belongings?
A: Its totally absolutely unreasonable because the vast majority of Muso's earn so little, with such a pittance coming into bank accounts for all the time energy and effort put in - why give these crumbs to an insurance company?
Also Its a choice - not compulsory.

Its not like driving a vehicle. Or public liability.
Do we expect carpenters to insure their tools? plumbers? doctors? mechanics?
We expect them to have public liability - fair enough.

But huge venues passing on (reducing) their insurance costs to the lowly paid muso, to reduce their premiums?
...pfffff.
Expecting Muso's to insure their own musical instruments - in 2 words: BS.
WTF is happening to this world?
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