Archive for August, 2009
VIDEO: Where the Streets Have No Name
Several have asked for a new mix sample on the new PA, so here you go. We did this song this past weekend as the service closer. It kind of puts together a bunch of the techniques and tools I’ve written about recently – D12E on kick and 414s on overheads, guitar mics, upward compression on the drums and vocal, etc. Check it out!
Bruce Swedien
I recently ran across the work of another audio engineering legend that is worth checking out. The names of the people he has worked with are too many to list, but when one mentions musicians like Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson, Sarah Vaughan, Eddie Harris, Quincy Jones, Jennifer Lopez, and even Michael Jackson, a great deal is immediately understood.
Mr Swedien wrote a book in 2004 called Make Mine Music that gives away detailed information from his lifetime in the studio-from a musical, technical, and very personal perspective. This book has something for everyone who is interested in music, especially those curious about the stories behind the scenes of some of the best music to ever come out of the recording studio. I came across the book in 2005 but had forgotten I even owned it. Upon rediscovery, there are too many pearls of audio wisdom in this book to list.
Being such a fan of Bruce, it was with great interest that I found this snippet a few weeks ago on ProSoundWeb from the book that is solid content for anyone who practices this artform of mixing modern music. Here Bruce writes about developing your own “audio personality” for how you evaluate what you hear and translate it into an actual mix “product”.
Do yourself a favor and check this out. If you’re like me and the article resounds with you, pick up the book. I think you’ll be glad you did!
Digidesign Group Spill
One of the coolest new features Digidesign has implemented in the SC48 and will soon add to D-Show & Profile with the impending release of software 2.8.1 is Group Spill.
Here’s a short video tour of the feature.
A resource you need to know about!
If you work or serve in any level of production, I have a resource for you that has come through for me a number of times now and I want to share! I think I’ve written about them before, but regardless…
Audiovend is a wireless rental specialist – Shure & Sennheiser, Lectrosonics, wired & wireless IEM, Comm – if its wireless, they deal with it. They also have a very large inventory of specialized mics and wireless capsules. I first learned about Greg Stevens and Audiovend a few years ago when I needed to rent 12 string mics (DPA 4061s). One of my friends suggested talking to Greg due to a recommendation from DPA. They were very easy to work with and provided exactly what I needed for the weekend. On top of that, rental rates for such specialized mics were fair and reasonable. It was a win/win for everyone.
Since that time, we’ve done a couple of other similar rentals for special service elements. A few months ago, however, a unique opportunity came along for us to partner on a higher profile and that event’s success is the inspiration for this post.
Every summer, Kensington does an outdoor baptism event at a local park/beachfront. Hundreds of people participate to declare their love for Jesus, with several thousand spectators lining the beach to picnic, celebrate, and support. This event is always one of the highlights of the year. As a part of the production needs, we have utilized waterproof microphones in the water so that the pastors can make things more personal for each participant and lead everyone through the event. The concept is REALLY cool and the event hinges on these mics’ success, but for the past several years of attempting this, the execution has been marginal due to poor support from our previous vendor – a large national rental company.
After last year’s experience, I suggested that we seek out a new direction this year and approached Greg for his help. He designed a Lectrosonics 6 channel system with waterproof transmitters and headsets, helical antennas, and the needed distribution and cabling to remote the antennas 100 feet from the receivers. Everything was shipped to us to arrive the day before the event. It was sent in such a way I could unpack, make the necessary RF and audio connections, and be good to go. Greg did a frequency coordination plan prior to shipping so when the system arrived, it was ready to rock.
Below is an excerpt of the email I sent Greg following the successful evening…
“…Everything worked as it should for the entire event. This event hinges on these wireless working and your system delivered for the first time in several years of trying! The headsets sounded really good with little channel EQ, lithium batteries saved the day – we powered transmitters on at the beginning of event and made it all the way to the end with no battery swaps, helicals were great – no RF issues at all. It was so great to be able to turn the transmitters on and go because the frequencies were all taken care of from the start. In the past the team has always had to guess and tune with mixed results. Everyone on our team was very impressed.
You have a raving fan in Kensington – we’ll certainly be making this an annual thing
You made me look very good today but I know you and your team are the real heros. Thanks again for all you do!”
What is most ironic is that Audiovend provided a similar set of actual gear as our previous vendor – I think the biggest difference was their proper planning, implementation, and improved RF distribution. Greg and the team are obvious experts at the art form of wireless audio systems.
If you’re also placed in situations where you need to deliver wireless solutions for high-profile events, I HIGHLY recommend Greg Stevens and his team at Audiovend Wireless. His expertise is vast, his prices fair, and the service and support is excellent. He’ll make you look very good as well! Let him know I sent you…
One of the best parts of the new PA…
On our old KF650 rig, I used to have to practically live by my SMAART computer for the spectrograph and dB meter. In order to just get over all of the reflections of the sound in the room and get the best response out of the PA, you had to usually mix as loud as you could get away with – usually 90+ dB(A). A rock and roll song in the mid-80’s would have so much room interaction that it would be so hard to get clarity and definition.
I’ve decided one of the best indicators of the improvements in the room is that now when I mix, the only time I switch over the SMAART is when we’re recording a message for campuses and I need the teachers to be loud enough to a certain dB (usually averaging 70) so that the balance of their mics to the room ambience will be correct for the recording.
I read a tweet a few weeks ago from the OwnTheMix guys that suggested putting away the SPL meter when you mix and instead mix the music so it feels right in the room, whatever that means for your space. I must say, having mixed both ways on both kinds of systems, mixing on a PA that is right for your room so you can enjoy mixing music is MUCH more fun then being a slave to the SPL meter!
That’s all for today!
