We will be doing pre-production in London, Ontario, not quite the ideal place to be if you forget something or get additional gear if you need it. So there are many weeks spent organizing, ordering, specing, and prepping all the additional gear and parts needed for the new monitor system. I also have to design two other systems for this run – a separate monitor system for an acoustic foh stage and an effective way for the techs to monitor their rigs and communication for the stage.
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Over the course of twenty-two years with Pearl Jam, the stage volume has always been an issue. Back in the day, stage volume measured around 120 to 122 dB on any given day. Mind you, we were playing clubs and small theaters, and often the stereo drum mix ( 2 Rat dual 15”/ dual 10”/2” cabinets) with a sub was loud enough to fill the room. (It would have been louder than most of the club sound systems, except we were carrying production). The vocal mic would feedback in the drum monitor. Our first soundman, Brett Eliason, would often joke that he only needed to add HH and Vocal to the house mix. (more…)
Originally this blog was going to detail the new Pearl Jam monitor system in reverse. When I sat down to write it – I realized that it was going to be difficult to document the stages and changes and have them make sense. So I have decided to document it from beginning to end. It starts almost a year ago at the “Made in America Festival” and comes to a temporary end at Wrigley Field. I say temporary as production is never static and should keep evolving.
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Building the new Pearl Jam Monitor rig in reverse…
July 19 – 20, 2013
Wrigley Field
It’s 4 AM and I am back at the hotel, exhausted, covered in dried sweat and grime. We have successfully pulled off the only outdoor show scheduled for July 19th in Chicago. I have lobby call in less than five hours and must shower, pack, and sleep. Sleep should come easily, yet I am wired from the show and now worried about waking up for lobby call. I shower and try to decompress and process all the months of work and planning that have just culminated in tonite’s Wrigley Field Show. (more…)
