[Dixielandjazz] Acoustics

[Steve Barbone]

"Robert S. Ringwald" <robert at ringwald.com> wrote:
> 
> Steve Barbone wrote regarding acoustics:
> 
> (snip)
> And St. Peter's in Rome? Many who visit it test the acoustics by whispering
> a few words in one corner that a friend will hear 300 feet away in another
> corner. Worked for me in 1962 when my wife clearly heard a whispered "I Love
> You" at the other end of the Basilica.
> (snip)
> 
> Steve, who were you whispering that to???
> 
> And your wife actually believed that you were whispering to her???
  

A gentlemen never tells. <grin>

In a more serious vein, we have certainly blasted the "amateur" sound men. I
feel obligated to re state that in our experience, either using my own 250
watt sound system, or playing in venues where "professional" sound men are
employed, we rarely have a problem.

Only one this year, which I posted about, and was mostly corrected during
the performance. As opposed to 14 other gigs where we were amplified by
sound men employed by the venue.  So 1/15th of our gigs were badly done

Who are these wonderfully competent sound men?  . . . The "Professionals".

Where do they work? . . . In "Professional" venues.

Why don't many of us know about them? . . . Well, you figure it out. <grin>

In this area these competent Professionals amplify bands at:

7 or 8 Atlantic City Casinos, Longwood Gardens, Anson Nixon Park, Rose Tree
Park, Borough of West Chester, Longs Park, Winterthur, City of Wilmington,
City of Philadelphia, City of Reading, City of Rehoboth, etc., etc.

Raves go to the crew at Rose Tree Park which employs a unit with just one
real pro and 6 intern assistants from the local High School Arts Program.
They do all of the physical set up on the stage. He directs them from the
booth 150 feet away, center of the seating area. (Outdoor Amphitheater).
They are EXCELLENT. Hooking up the same way for 30 shows per summer. They
know who each mike amplifies, know how to balance rock vs. jazz, and they
are very cooperative.

They are expert. Of course, they ask for a stage plot a month in advance and
a sound check an hour in advance of performance. The stage is all set up
according to the plot by the time the band shows up for the check.

Stage plot? How many of you guys who got bad sound supplied, one in advance
with notes like "mike the bass amp", put vocal mike between clarinet and
trumpet, leave vocal mike on all the time. We will point it up, or towards
the audience when not singing and/or talking, Only front line in monitors,
Place monitors facing rhythm section. Etc., etc.,. etc.

If you do not specify everything in advance, you have no right to bitch
about the confusion and/or poor result at the performance.

We musicians should note that the sound crews can also write a book about
their experiences with the poor performance and stupidity of many bands. The
sword cuts both ways. <grin>

Cheers,
Steve Barbone