Easter 09: Production Docs

I thought it might be interesting to go through the various documents I create in order to execute a large service such as Easter 09.  If you’re interested in the master versions of any of these files, just drop me a line and I’d be glad to send.

The most important step for me for successful mixing on the Digidesign D-Show Profile is good planning for console layout and bussing.  I developed a worksheet in Apple Numbers that makes it easy to experiment with layout and plan out my bank assignments.  Once this worksheet is complete, I can use it to build the actual console show file.

Once the show file is created, the D-Show will automatically generate a patch worksheet that can be used to patch the stage inputs into the D-Show.

Here is a sample of the stage drawings that are created by our set designer.  There was a specific drawing for each transition in the day, creating a “playbook” for the stage team of where everything should be placed.

And finally, in case you are interested, here is a version of our production copy for the service.  This isn’t the final, final version but its pretty close.  You may see a few question marks or whatnot but it gives you the idea of the script we’re working from.

Easter 09: Video Part 2

Be sure to check out yesterday’s post for the background on this service and video from the front half of the day. Today is the back half…

This song came directly out of the message just our Slam Grand piano and vocal.

After Shadowfeet, we transitioned into a voiceover testimony with photos on the screen, followed by this song as the closer. This is another KCC original, written by Ben West.

Easter 09: Video Part 1

The music for this service has been some of my favorite that we’ve ever done in my time at Kensington.  Today is the elements from the front half of the service, tomorrow is the back half!

The theme for the service was based on 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” God takes the trash and junk of our lives and makes us into new creations every day!

The opener began with this…

Which transitioned into this…

After a drama about life crashing down for a married couple, this song came next leading into the message. This is a KCC original, written by lead vocalist, Danny Cox.

Come back tomorrow for the back half of the service!

Photoblog: Easter 09 @ Kensington

I think Easter 2009 was one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career. The entire process from rehearsals to services was very special! Lives were changed, reminded that we’re all new creations when we’re in Christ.

I’ve got a few different posts on audio pre-production/documentation, behind the scenes stage tour, service samples, etc. that will come throughout this week and next. For now, here’s some cool shots that capture the essence of the day. I’ll be back with you in a few days after some rest and recharging!

Easter 09

Today is day 8 of my 17 day Easter setup/rehearsal/service marathon at Kensington. This year we’re doing 22 identical services at 5 locations. Last night the Troy team premiered the service for the cast & crews of all of the other campuses at the end of our dress rehearsal process. Next week the campuses will go through their rehearsals in their spaces.

I’m really excited about this service but it has been a unique challenge from an audio perspective. There are a couple of really cool original tunes in the day, a “stomp”-esq percussion opener, video screen blending, drum & keys decks that move, 62 physical inputs plus effects returns, 20 channels of RF (ears, instruments, vocals, drama, & speakers). I’ll write more about the process for the service and learnings once there’s free time on the other side of next weekend.

In the meantime, I shot a “teaser” time lapse of rehearsal on Wednesday night. Check it out! If you’re in the Detroit area, come check out the service Easter weekend!

New mix tune

Here’s a sample from this past weekend of the Imogen Heap tune called “Headlock”.  The song is pretty outside the box for us but it was a lot of fun to stretch a bit.  As always, you’re listening to a board mix from the noon service through my little broadcast processing chain.

A few new things I’m trying that are reflected in this mix:

• Demo’ing a set of Heil PR30s on toms.  I am really impressed with the drum tone that came with them.  More meat & midrange to them then my normal Audix D2/D4 combo or even standard 421s.  Very musical & natural.  The only EQ I found I wanted/needed was a small drop centered around 300 to keep them from getting woofy & a small boost around 2k to make them cut just a bit more.
• I’ve tried swapping my kick drum philosophy from the Audix D6 being my primary full range mic with a Shure Beta91 used to provide a different character and more click when needed.  I really like the newfound low end of the Beta91 and have been having a much easier time getting the kick to sit nicely with the bass by using the Beta91 in full-range all the way down into the subs, rolling off a big chunk of 1k-3k out of it to keep the drum’s click under control, then hi-passing the D6 around 150 and putting it almost equal with the 91.  You can hear the result.
• Lead vocal is a Shure KSM9 wireless.  This song was all over the place for her dynamically – too much so for any major compression I tried to work well.  That meant “hand compression” was the only option so one hand was on her vocal channel for the entire song, riding all of the jumps between the higher power stuff and the quiet low register.  The vocal effects come from ReVibe & Echo Farm in the bridge.  ”Inverse Long” on the exposed part at the front end, Lex Warm Plate on the bridge with the delay (sorry I don’t remember the exact Echo Farm preset, 1/2 note, no repeats), then back to Inverse long.

Anyways, enjoy!

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