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Loading in Rent

Loading in Rent

By: Kerrie Mondy originally posted 2/15/14

Today my rental guy and I did the lion’s share of my load-in for a small company I work fors production of “Rent”. The theater is a quirky little space. It’s a 200 seat venue with a steep seating rake and a flat, sort of triangular stage floor that’s maybe 30 feet at its widest point. The whole thing is brown and green. No wing space, squeaky stairs, plenty of insect inhabitants, and no exit to the bathroom for patrons during the show except to walk across the front of the stage! But it’s got a few things that make my job great (more…)

Monitor Meltdown Lighting Bolt Fall Tour 2013

By: Karrie Keyes

Production Day – What Production Day ✓

Two Crappy Sounding Arenas back to back ✓

Four days of Throw and Go ✓ Record Released ✓

Full Throttle into A+ Markets ✓ (more…)

Sound Technician

The following jobs all overlap and often are handled by one person. On larger productions these roles will be filled and the level of expertise will increase.

SOUND CREW CHIEF: Often filled with highly experienced crew people. The Crew Chief is responsible for the sound crew, call times, set up and load out, logistics, managing the local crew, and is the go to person for all things audio.

SYSTEM ENGINEER: Are responsible for installing the sound system and setting eq and time alignment. The system engineer will often fill the role of the FOH Tech and or Crew Chief and on smaller productions will also be the FOH engineer. The system engineer often will assist in designing the sound system for the event/tour. System engineers should have solid technical education and hands on experience and knowledge. There is a high demand for experienced system engineers.

FOH TECHNICIAN: The FOH tech is often called the FOH babysitter, as their role is to take care of and assist the FOH Engineer. The FOH Tech is responsible for setting up and maintaining the FOH equipment. (consoles and processing). The FOH Tech is responsible for running walk in and out music, announcements, media feeds. FOH techs often fill the role of system engineer and are responsible for or assist in the EQ and time alignment of the system and setting the rigging points. FOH Techs can be called on to record the performance through digital technology such as Pro Tools. FOH Techs often mix the opening artists. FOH Techs should have solid experience with different consoles and outboard processing. FOH Techs are often well established engineers. FOH Techs often work with FOH and Band FOH Engineers on a regular basis and are important part of a touring production.

MONITOR TECHNICIAN: Respectively the Monitor babysitter and responsible for taking care of the Monitor Engineer. The Monitor Tech sets up and maintains the monitor system and consoles. The Monitor Tech is often responsible for In-Ear Monitoring Systems (IEMs) and RF coordination. The Monitor Tech will most likely be responsible for mixing monitors for the opening artists. The Monitor Tech should have solid experience with different consoles and outboard processing, as well as different types of monitor and IEM systems. Monitor Techs often work with Monitor and Artist Monitor Engineers Engineers on a regular basis and are important part of a touring production.

STAGE TECHNICIAN: Stage techs are responsible for the setting up and wiring the stage. They are responsible for microphones, stands, and cables, as well as the patching systems. Stage Techs will assist other departments in the set up of the overall sound system. On Festivals there will often be two or three stage techs that deal with the fast turnarounds. Stage techs should be organized and provide faultless patching and changeovers.

SYSTEM TECHNICIAN: System Techs mainly are responsible for getting the sound system set up, dealing with the rigging and cabling. Like the stage tech they will assist other departments in the set up of the overall system.

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Mastering Vinyl

Wellington International Ukelele Orchestra

Lessons In Live Sound

Starting in March, SoundGirls.Org will be featuring a series of Lessons in Live Sound courtesy of Barbara Adams who is Adjunct Professor of Sound Reinforcement at Drexel University. These lessons are designed for those who are just getting started in Live Sound or who are curious about Live Sound and would like to know more about it. They can be found on the Resources page and by following this link: Lessons in Live Sound

The Art of Mastering

Mastering is the final step in producing audio for mass production. In mastering the final product is fine tuned with the use of EQ and compression. Mastering engineers work to achieve a consistent audio level throughout the production. Mastering Engineers place the proper amount of space between tracks, insert track markers, and all other codes needed for final production. Mastering-engineers also clean up any unwanted noises. (more…)

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