[Ansteorra] Sound Systems in Court (was Just a Question)

[iainmacc at juno.com]

On Mon, 30 Jun 2003 10:30:03 -0500 Burke McCrory
<bmccrory at oktax.state.ok.us> writes:
>
> >The second is the type I am more comfortable with, which involves 
> the use 
> >of wireless microphones, lots of them.  To do a Steppe's 12th night 
> well 
> >takes, as an opener, 9 wireless microphones and having a stand 
> microphone 
> >would be very good as well.  This then requires at least a 10 input 
> mixer 
> >(which none of the regular sites we use are equipped with) and 
> someone 
> >trained to run it.  This assumes that amplification and speakers 
> are 
> >already equipped in the hall (ala Canton & Ennis).

        We can fairly well count on any hall we use being an acoustic
nightmare. Concrete, tile or hardwood floors, hard surface walls and
ceilings (especially steel), large expanses of windows/glass doors, high
ceilings, large open areas, all contribute to poor acoustics. Can anyone
think of a hall used for a major event that doesn't have at least half of
these qualities?
        However, all is not lost. Some of the problem with high ceilings
can be corrected with hanging banners. Much of the problem with hard
surface walls can be solved with tapestries/hangings. True, it involves
having yet more stuff to keep track of, haul, set up, take down, store,
maintain... but it does help alleviate the problem at a minimum of
expense.
        I will be happy to check into the price of wireless mics and
12-16 channel mixers if it will help. Timothy, I will be happy to assist
or relieve you any time at the mixing board at any time. If I know in
advance that a given event will require such, I will make a point to be
there. I also think it would be good if you, me, or both of us should
teach anyone willing to learn such skills, any time we have a full system
at our disposal to work with.

> stage at one end of the hall.  With the hall full of people you have 
> had 
> the same problems that Ennis or Canton has.  To fix this I rigged a 
> single 
> area microphone and placed it on the floor in front of the stage.  
> It was 
> hidden behind some yule greenery so it was not visible and was 
> adjusted to 
> only pickup strong sounds from the area in front of it.  The sound 

        This will certainly work sometimes, but I wouldn't count on it
for a huge event in a bouncy room, such as Warlord or Steppes 12th Night.
To be certain of picking up all the sounds you want, without picking up
any of the things you don't, at that distance.... I'd want to be VERY
patient when shopping for a microphone.
        However, I know a *very* experienced live sound engineer (I work
for him) that I can ask such questions of and get good advice. I'll go
ahead and go fishing for the information, in case it becomes important to
know it.

                                                                In Joyful
Service,

                                                                       
Iain MacCrimmon



                    Cave Tyranniam Timorium Suorum

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