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FAQ
- What is going on?
- How do I get there?
- What gear do you have?
- How many people can participate?
- What do I have to do to play?
- Does everyone play at once? Can I play by myself?
- What software does everyone use?
- What do I need to bring?
- How long does each person play?
- Does everyone use a Mac?
- Do I need a laptop?
- Can I spin records?
- Any tips or recommended etiquette for performing?
- Any particular type of music or video?
- Is there anywhere special I have to sit?
- Do I have to play?
- Do you record it? Is it broadcast?
- What is this about featured sets?
- How long have you been doing this?
What is going on?
Share is an open jam, not just for digirati, but for all new culture lovers. Participants bring their portable equipment, plug into our system, improvise on each others' signal and perform live audio and video. Our volunteer organizers furnish the amplification and projection. Share happens the second Saturday of every month in downtown San Diego, at the Kava Lounge Gallery (3 blocks north of the Casbah) from 7 pm to 11pm.
How do I get there?
ShareSD currently meets on the second Saturday of the month at the Kava Lounge Gallery.
2812 Kettner Boulevard
San Diego, CA
619.543.0933
What gear do you have?
We provide a 16 channel mixer with stereo audio inputs (pairs of 1/4 inch inputs). The audio goes into a multi-channel mixer and out to our amps. We also have one video projector. For future Shares, we would love to eventually have another projector as well as a wireless hub for more advanced jams.
How many people can participate?
We have 16 balanced audio inputs total (XLR and 1/4 inch). Participants are encouraged to bring in their own submixers for more elaborate setups. Currently, one video can be displayed simultaneously but we are developing a better video mixer setup. Wanna help? Contact us.
What do I have to do to play?
Ask anyone: they'll direct you to one of the hosts or share regulars who can get you plugged in. It helps to come early; we sometimes have featured sets at 8pm, and if everyone shows up at 7pm we can't accommodate them all.
Does everyone play at once? Can I play by myself?
We try to accommodate everyone as time allows. Some people have finished songs, and prefer to play by themselves. Some people come ready to jam. We try to plug everyone in and let participants work it out among themselves. People take turns playing songs, or one person will play a melody to someone else's beats while a third drops vocal samples.
What software does everyone use?
People use a huge variety of software, from popular commercial programs to smaller free apps. Some participants use software they've written themselves.
What do I need to bring?
For audio, it helps to bring your own cables. We accept matched 1/4" mono plugs. (The minijack to RCA with 1/4" adapters seems the most popular). Collaborative spirits and an open minds are welcome too:)
How long does each person play?
Depends how busy we are. Commonly people play 30-45 minutes. If people are jamming rather than playing solo, we can have more people playing at once. This means jammers tend to play longer than soloists. If you come early, you have a better chance to play longer.
Does everyone use a Mac?
No. Although many people us Macintosh computers, Windows and Linux users are also represented and all are welcome.
Do I need a laptop? No. We invite participation from people working with "portable electronics" including laptops, drum machines and grooveboxes, keyboards, gameboys, guitar pedals, cassette decks, circuits, microphones, etc. And all are welcome to enjoy the audio and video.
Can I spin records?
Only if you bring a portable turntable.
Any tips or recommended etiquette for performing?
- Be accommodating; listen and try to fit in with what other people are doing. If there is too much going on, drop back for a bit.
- Communicate, ask others what their tempo is (if they have one), warn of sudden changes.
- Don't overplay and drown others out. Trying to hear yourself better, it is easy to turn yourself up too loud.
- Minimize system sounds... on Mac laptops, hold shift while adjusting system volume. Disable as many extraneous sounds as possible, don't plug into the mix until you have booted.
- Don't unplug your audio cable until you are turned down on the mixer.
- For further etiquette, check out our Jamming Guidelines here.
No. There is a wide variety of music. While most of it can be classified as "electronic" in practice this includes noise, experimental and ambient music, pop and dance songs, hip-hop beats and breaks, jungle, drum-and-bass idm and breakcore, and almost any other label you can think of.
Is there anywhere special I have to sit?
Nope. We change the layout from week to week. Just look around for a comfy place to set your gear down and jack in.
Do I have to play?
No. Although Share is open for participation, it is also a place to hear neat music/sound, see some cool visuals, and learn what tools and techniques people are using for live performance. You can also meet other nice people/artists, as well as have great organic elixers and drinks next door at the lovely Kava Lounge.
Do you record it? Is it broadcast?
We currently lack the capability to record, but anyone is more than welcome to bring the appropriate gear to capture Share's output. We will be working on getting more server space as funds allow. In the meantime, archive.org , ourmedia.org, googlevideo and flickr provide FREE hosting of your media files that you can then link to pages, blogs and events that you create on this site. To post to ShareSD, you will first need an account.
What is this about featured sets?
Sometimes we schedule a featured set for the last hour or two of Share. We invite Share participants, local and visiting artists to perform. During featured sets, there is no open jam; the featured artist takes over the whole sound system.
How long have you been doing this?
The original Share (NYC) started in the summer of 2001. Since then, 'nodes' have opened up in Montreal - Canada, Weisbaden - Germany, Melbourne - Australia, Stavanger - Norway, Los Angeles and of course San Diego, California!
