Category: John M. Hoyt

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Band Equipment Gear Greenville Hot As A Pepper Instruments John M. Hoyt Uncategorized

Are you using protection? Hot As A Pepper is! #SoundAdvice

Mackie DL-1608 in Red Dirt Case road case
Mackie DL-1608 16 channel digital mixer in custom made Red Dirt Cases road case

Just over a year ago, Hot As A Pepper ditched our Allen & Heath mixing console and snake in favor of moving into this century and going digital AND wireless. Find the original post HERE.

In short, we opted for the Mackie DL-1608 mixer that uses an iPad for a control surface, and interfaces with iPad/s wirelessly to allow mixing from anywhere in the venue without the need for a snake creating a health and safety hazard to guests (or the console taking up a valuable seat in the venue).

This has worked out wonderfully for us!  We can save our settings once dialed in and though we don’t like to do so, we can opt to not do a sound check and know that everything is close.

But, that mixer has a LOT of potential failure points. You could drop it while moving it, or lose or break the external power supply, wifi access point or its power supply or network cable, etc. Then there are the pots on the top, 16 of them that can get bumped so the setting is not the same or they could even be damaged as they protrude from the case.

We’ve been carrying the thing around from place to place, treating it with kid gloves and praying we didn’t leave the power supply or a cable behind at a gig or at the practice studio, and then carefully readjusting each of the trim pots after we setup and before we powered it up.

I searched for an adequate road case, but there are none. Even the Mackie soft case doesn’t address most of the items on our wishlist… I found one company/guy who was making a suitable case at one point, though they are no longer doing so. However, the photos of that case were all the inspiration it took for me to find someone to build something similar for us!

That’s when I contacted Jason at Red Dirt Cases down in Texas (contact information at the bottom). I sent photos of our mixer, photos of the other case I found, measured our mixer and sent the dimensions as provided by Mackie over to him. We had several email discussions about how the mixer could be supported securely, where the power supply and the wireless access point could be mounted case, how the mixer cools and what type of case I actually wanted (carpet vs traditional, etc).

Today that case arrived, and I could not be happier. It fits like a glove… LIKE A GLOVE! I don’t think I would change a thing at all about it!

It will come out of the vehicle, be placed on top of my bass rig, the lid removed, and one single power plug connected to the AC, then mics, instruments, monitors and mains connected, and we’re done. All the settings on those pots should be where I left them.

The power supply and our wireless access point are UNDER the mixer.The mixer sits on strips of higher density foam.

If you have a Mackie DL-1608 or the DL806, then you need to get that thing protected if you take it out on the road.  Red Dirt Cases now have the dimensions and could provide you with a duplicate, or modify it to suit your needs.

Sure, there are a load of road case dealers and manufacturers out there.  I went with Red Dirt Cases after finding them in an internet search and reading reviews, however, what sold me was the eagerness of Jason to get this right for me.. The whole process was painless and he shared photos of the build as he progressed.

I’ll use them for other upcoming projects too because:

  • The build quality is outstanding.
  • The hardware is not going to fail on me like budget cases I have had.
  • The price is fair.
  • Communication was GREAT

You can find Red Dirt Cases here:

http://www.reddirtcases.com/
1-877-724-2531

If you are in the Greenville / Upstate SC area and catch our band out, I’ll be happy to show it to you in person at a gig or even at my office, just let me know.  – John

Here are some photos:

Closed view of Red Dirt Cases road case made for Mackie DL-1608 mixer
Closed view of Red Dirt Cases road case made for Mackie DL-1608 mixer
Red Dirt Cases road case made for Mackie DL-1608 mixer
Red Dirt Cases road case made for Mackie DL-1608 mixer
Rear view of Red Dirt Cases road case made for Mackie DL-1608 mixer
Rear view of Red Dirt Cases road case made for Mackie DL-1608 mixer
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Band Event Fun Function Greenville Hot As A Pepper John M. Hoyt Live Entertainment Music Party Spartanburg Upstate

Planning a sorority party or fraternity function and need a band?

Hot As A Pepper has become a HOT commodity in the fraternity and sorority scene. Seems that students can really get into dance music like disco, beach, funk and rock which is exactly what we bring!

Why not book us for your next college event? We’re fun, we’re funky, and we’re ready to help you dance the night away.  Call us today at 864-979-1224 or use the BOOKING link!

Here’s a recent sorority gig down in Clemson…   On stage, the crowd was just about the same level when they sang along as our monitors! Seems like they were having a blast!

Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky”

The Beatles “Twist & Shout”

We can handle all the entertainment needs so you don’t have to think about that part! From the stage, to the lights to the audio, to the music during breaks – we’ve got this!

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Band Greenville Hot As A Pepper John M. Hoyt Music Party Upstate Venue

Summer is here and it’s vacation time for our band members!

It’s been a fun year so far for Hot As A Pepper! We’ve had some great gigs at many venues that are new to us and made a lot of new friends and connections in the process.

Now, it’s time to slow down a bit and spend some time with our families. We’ve scheduled downtime, vacation and trips in July and through August so, we have not been actively booking gigs.

Once the kids are back in school and normal work schedules resume, we will get back to booking.

Until then, if you need us, you know where we are, shoot us an email. We’d love to play your pool party or reunion if we are available!

Have a happy and safe summer!

 

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Band Chris Eller Drums Event Fun Guitar Hot As A Pepper John M. Hoyt Party Simpsonville Upstate

Megan Hoyt joins members of Hot As A Pepper for a tune at Fridays by the Fountain

Back a few days ago, Hot As A Pepper played a fun outdoor event called “Fridays by the Fountain” in Fountain Inn, SC.

The attendance was down a little due to Darius Rucker performing a few blocks away at the Charter Amphitheater / Heritage Park in Simpsonville, SC, but that didn’t stop us from doing what we do best – create a fun and funky groove that had people literally dancing in the streets!

In the middle of the show, my daughter, Megan, came up on the stage and performed a song called “Price Tag” with just me on acoustic guitar and Chris Eller accompanying us on drums. It was a joy to share the stage with her. Now, if we can only get her to come sing some backup and a few dance numbers!

Here she is…. Megan Hoyt…

If you would, please be kind and “like” her video on YouTube.

– John M. Hoyt – Bass Guitar / Vocals / Technology / Roadie

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Band Bar Club Event Fun Gear Greenville Hot As A Pepper John M. Hoyt Live Entertainment Music Musicians

Oh noes! Our mixing console has no knobs or sliders!

Our trusty Allen and Heath ZED22FX mixer was working so well that we decided to replace it… With this:

Mackie DL1608
Mackie DL1608 16 channel, stereo, 6 aux mixing console with iPad for control

Sometimes you just have to mix it up (pun intended) and try something new and there’s not much newer that we can afford than the Mackie DL1608.

The DL1608 is not your typical mixer. They have removed 90% of the knobs, sliders and meters, leaving you with a box that is rather small, with 16 XLR inputs, 6 1/4″ TRS, a pair of XLR outputs, and a headphone jack. The only knobs are the input trim knobs and the headphone level knob.

There are two switches. Do you need any more than that? There is one to turn it on and off and one to shoot some voltage onto the inputs for your phantom powered devices.

EVERY THING ELSE is controlled from your iPad. The entire control surface is gone from the mixer and moved to an app.

You are not locked into just one iPad though. You can keep one docked if you wish, and that iPad can control the thing, as well as record two channels of mix audio (unfortunately, you cannot record all 16 channels like you can on the Presonus or the Behringer digital mixers). Using an inexpensive wireless router, you can plug the Mackie into that, and use several other iPads / iPhones to control the thing.

Here’s our plan:

DL1608 on stage, will reside on my bass amp’s road case. All stage wiring from mics and to speakers will run to the mixer. NO SNAKE running across the floor to pose a health and safety issue to dancers.

An iPad will remain docked in the DL1608 at all times and we will record two channels to that docked iPad.  This iPad will be used to control the stage monitor mixes (remember those 6 aux outs? We can have 6 different feeds).

An 802.11n wireless router (Currently a very inexpensive Asus model) will plug into the Mackie and be velcro’d inside my road case.

My wife is our audio engineer who has been doing both front of house and monitor mixes for me for a couple years.  She will now use her own iPad to control the Mackie from anywhere around the venue she chooses!   NO CONSOLE TAKING UP A TABLE in the middle of the room. No Snake. No chance of someone spilling a beer in it.

Our guitarist and drummer probably want a different mix….   I’ll let them associate their own iPad or iPod to the Mackie and give them permission to affect ONLY their mix.

Should we add in ear monitors at some point, this system will be perfect for that too.

Shakedown cruise is coming this Friday at Rhythm & Brews in Greer, SC.  I’ll try to reply or post a new blog post with the results.  Oh, and we will be taking the old ZED with us, just in case!

John M. Hoyt – Bass guitarist on a mission

 

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Band Bar Club Greenville Hot As A Pepper John M. Hoyt Music Musicians Upstate Venue

Want a band for your next party but cannot afford it?

Here’s a common issue…  Someone wants a band for their 40th birthday party and they can’t afford it. Bummer! And an iPod just won’t cut it!

The cost of the band isn’t the only issue either! Besides paying the band for their appearance, there may be other expenses, such as renting a venue, sound and/or lighting. If the band is a popular act, they may have a rider that covers everything from transportation, accommodations, refreshments and assistants. They could require a particular size stage, union stagehands and more.

So maybe booking a band of that caliber is a bit much. Even a local band can set you back a grand, and you still have to have a place that is large enough, has enough power to provide for their audio and lighting gear, and keeps them warm / cool and dry. And, all without the neighbors calling the police for loud noise.

Here’s a suggestion – work with a local band to find a venue who might subsidize your party!

How would that work? Simply put, your party will only last a couple hours, right? A bar, club or restaurant has live music starting around 8 or 9 in the evening generally, and some as late as 10pm start times.

You might be able to work with the band and venue to secure the facility for your party from  6 to 8, or 7 to 9. The venue pays half the band’s fees and you pay half and you both get exactly what you want! You get a party at a great location, with a band all to yourself, or at least mostly to yourself, and then the bar or club gets the benefit of the band playing until they close.

The band may charge slightly more for this, as their play time is increased, but they are getting two gigs and only moving gear once.

The venue may be more than happy to entertain this idea as you are bringing 50 of your closest friends to their place, and providing them with some sales. You can probably secure a deal where they let your party have discounted booze, or a drink special.

If this sounds like something you are interested in and you are in the Upstate or Greenville SC area, give us a call and let’s talk! You might just end up with a band for 25-30% off AND have a great location for your party!

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Band Event Fun Greenville John M. Hoyt Live Entertainment Reception Wedding

Have you booked a band for your Greenville wedding reception yet?

It’s already March, and so many weddings are planned, right down the last detail. The dresses have been purchased months in advance, the cake and catering have been finalized, and even the groomsmen have been fitted for their tuxes.

But have you picked a band yet? You’re not using an iPod on shuffle are you? Or some DJ who was suggested by a friend of a friend?

If you have decided that prerecorded music is for you, at least insure you have a great sound system. Rent one from one of the reputable places around the Upstate that has a subwoofer to make the bass actually something you feel, instead of just hear. That will be certain to help a little.

However, nothing, absolutely nothing, takes the place of a live entertainment! A band brings the energy level up! Especially a group that has a wide variety of styles that will appeal to a broad majority of your attendees.

Hot As A Pepper is such a band! We play a fun and funky mix of dance and rock, with some good old Carolina Beach, country, and even a reggae tune thrown in for good measure.

Our upbeat rock from the past and present is sure to move the younger crowd, while disco, beach and funk will get just about everyone else. For those who prefer country, yes, we can do a couple tunes for them too.

If you would like more information about how Hot As A Pepper can spice up your wedding reception, please give us a call at 864-979-1224 or use the contact form on our website!

Our rates are affordable, our show is exactly what you are looking for, that is, if you want something unique and fun!

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Band Chris Eller Drums Fun Greenville Hot As A Pepper John M. Hoyt Music Musicians Spartanburg

Hot As A Pepper was once again on the Wild Wing Spartanburg stage

Hey everyone, it’s been a while since we posted anything here, and I apologize because I know you have been hanging around, hitting REFRESH over and over wondering why there was nothing new!

Last night HAAP played again on the Wild Wing Cafe Spartanburg stage. What a blast that was!  We were pleasantly surprised to see a couple dozen of our friends make it in from Greenville, Easley, Powdersville, Piedmont, Simpsonville and other parts unknown.

What can I say? We’re honored that someone would go out on a cold and rainy night just to see us!

We made some new friends last night too, got a few new “likes” on our facebook page, and even a gig inquiry.  And very important to us, the management and staff seemed to like us and not only paid us, but I think we will be playing there again in 2013!

We’ve brought on board a new drummer, Chris Eller, who made his debut at last night’s gig. Chris is a pretty alright guy who knows his chops and seems to play well with others.

You can read more about him on our member profile page!

Next up – New Year’s Eve at The Lighthouse on Keowee in Seneca.  We will be helping to ring in the new year there!  Come on out!

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Band Bar Club Corporate Event Event Greenville Hot As A Pepper John M. Hoyt Party Upstate Venue

Everybody, let’s rock!

Do you love dancing?  I mean, do you REALLY love dancing?

Here’s someone who loves dancing:

If you love dancing as much as this young man, then please consider Hot As A Pepper for your next function! There’s nothing we like better than providing the groove for you to get down to!

We cover many styles of music in a show, most of the songs are familiar and perfect for you to dance to, whether it is a shag or a slow dance, and maybe even a line dance.

At our last gig, we had an actual Hell’s Angel member busting a move most of the night with us! If we can get big burly bikers up dancing, we can move your feet too!

Call us today and book a party, corporate event, wedding, or hire us for your venue because we play bars and clubs too! We mostly play the Upstate because we are Greenville, SC based, but we will travel to you if the gig is right!

864-979-1224 or use the booking info contact link above!

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Band Charity Corporate Event Curtis Butler Event Festival Fun Function Greenville Hot As A Pepper John M. Hoyt Live Entertainment Music Simpsonville Upstate Venue

Talk Talk Talk – Everybody Talks!

Hot As A Pepper at Mac's Speed Shop Oct 2012

Everybody Talks….   Don’t we know it!

In this day & age with so many outlets it’s something that every business, public event, persona and even individuals must be acutely aware of!

Well, Hot As A Pepper is very self-aware, so we’re gonna take a minute to examine some of what’s being said about us. We’re starting with LinkedIn:

Mark Rodeffer has endorsed your work as Musician / Manager at Hot As A Pepper!

Dear John,
“I recommended John and his band, Hot as a Pepper, to play at an event in downtown Simpsonville and they were a huge success! Although I didn’t get to enjoy their performance much that night, the feedback I received from everyone was outstanding. Even the Mayor commented on how great they were and that we should go ahead and book them for the event next year! Doesn’t get any better than that.”
Service Category: Writer/Editor
Year first hired: 2012
Top Qualities: Great Results, Good Value, Creative

Lee Ann Carter has endorsed your work as Musician / Manager at Hot As A Pepper!.

Dear John,
“This the the best Upstate band in the biz!!! Fun, high energy, great selection of songs…if you want to get the party started Hot As A Pepper is who you need to hire.  Very professional, John and the rest of the band members put your satisfaction first. He will take the time to know exactly what your event is, work hard to provide the type of music and “vibe” you are looking for and if you aren’t sure what direction to go, John has the experience and know-how to offer suggestions, ensuring your next party or event is a success!”
Service Category: Music/Entertainment
Year first hired: 2012
Top Qualities: Great Results, Personable, Expert

Now on to the UBER Popular Facebook:

Cindy Shaffer I would like to thank all of you guys for coming out and playin for us. Y’all are wonderful and I think Guard Your Life Challenge has their official band. We will be calling on you all again. Thank again we had a wonderful time.

Barbara Rolfson Bryant Thanks for the entertainment. Ya’ll are awesome! Can’t wait to have you back next year!!

Clifford J. Sieber You guys were amazing. Thanks so much for rocking Phi Sigma Kappa’s semi-formal.

Joey Sanders Craft We really enjoyed last night at Macs Speed Shop!! Thank you guys for doing everything yal did!!! Look forward to next time.

Wow… Usually people hate it when they are being talked about… But hey, Not us!! Give us a call, an e-mail, or a note on our Website Here or our FaceBook page Here! Our goal is to give you the BEST entertainment experience and be ABSOLUTELY concerned about what you have to say about it!

– Curtis Butler – Percussionist for Hot As A Pepper