Sound is fundamentally about change. Changes in pressure on the eardrum lead to bone movement in the inner ear that triggers changes in neurons that cause the brain to perceive sound. And for pro audio, the initial change in air pressure results from a loudspeaker whose physical movement caused the change in pressure.
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Halloween is just behind us, but there may be plenty of goblins ahead. I’ve written before, here and elsewhere, about that moment of frisson when, at the 2012 Coachella festival, the audience was stunned by the reunion of deceased rapper Tupac Shakur with a very alive Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg during a performance on stage.
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Last month, we talked about dynamic range, headroom and signal-to-noise ratios, and how these concepts relate to the metering used on analog and digital gear. Since there was a bit of brain damage involved with last month’s T&P, we’ll quickly review a few important highlights. First, Zero on a VU meter is known as “operating level.” Second, In the pro audio world, when we see 0 on a VU meter, the signal level is approximately 1.23 volts. This signal level “standard” is known as +4 dBu. Third, Digital gear — such as mixing consoles, drive processors — often use meters calibrated in dBFS (deciBels below full scale), whereby 0 is at the top of their scale. When you hit 0 on a dBFS meter you are out of headroom. If we send +4 dBu (1.23 volts) into a dBFS meter it will typically show up at -18 dBFS.
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Sound system purchasing decisions are among the largest financial decisions a church has to make. Depending on the size of your worship venue, a new sound system can exceed $100,000 or even $200,000. Even if you’re working at a smaller church that is only in a position to spend $10,000 or $20,000 on a new system, that’s a major expense. As a church technical director, I feel I have a responsibility to spend the church’s money wisely, because let’s face it, we are ultimately spending the hard-earned money of our congregants.
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The digital console market is crowded in 2015. Every new console I encounter is better (and cheaper) than the last. Features that were previously only found on high-end mixing consoles are cropping up on sub-$30,000 boards left and right. It’s simply amazing how fast the market is moving, and how far prices have fallen in just a few short years.
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Future Sonics, a pioneer of in-ear monitoring — or perhaps I should say the pioneer in the field — has introduced its latest earpieces for in-ear monitoring. The Spectrum Series model G10 have incorporated a host of new changes for upgraded performance.
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While working a James Taylor concert/video shoot for Austin City Limits last month, I received a message about an upcoming project in Los Angeles. Chris Adamson, my old friend and frequently my production manager over these last 20+ years, had recommended me for an excellent FOH position. If hired, I would be mixing two special one-off shows at the beautifully restored Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. I let Chris know that I was available and very much interested in being on the team.
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Insurance is a game of chance — a gambler’s game similar to Wall Street trading and big casino betting that, much like trading or gambling, is also a for-profit profession. Therefore, it would be a judicious move on the part of anyone entering the insurance field to ensure that the odds are stacked in favor of the house. One way that insurance companies try to protect themselves is through “risk management.” To quote Ricardo Antunes and Vincent Gonzalez: “Risk management’s objective is to assure uncertainty does not deflect the endeavor from the business goals.” The goal in this instance is to make a profit while offering a customer piece of mind against a perceived threat in one undertaking or another.
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GLASGOW, Scotland — Adlib, based in Liverpool, opened an office in Scotland last February to support its sales and installation clients. Now the company is gearing up to expand its Scottish activities significantly with the acquisition of EFX Audio. Pictured here, from left, is Andy Dockerty, Graham Cochrane, Steph Fleming, Dave Jones and Dave Kay.
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PLOVDIV, Bulgaria — ProAudio Ltd. designed and installed the audio systems for Kolodruma velodrome, a 4,800 to 7,500-capacity venue that hosts 22 sports in addition to cycling. The system for the main room includes Community loudspeakers and subwoofers — 10 R SERIES R2-94’s, four R2-77’s, 18 R1-64’s, 36 R1-94’s, 20 R.5-99’s and 22 I215LVS subwoofers.
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NORMAN, OK — Event and venue professionals thrive in an environment that requires both careful preparation and the ability to adapt to new information. But recent history shows that severe weather can disrupt even the best-laid plans, with potentially catastrophic results. Continuing with its mission to provide the event industry with relevant & practical learning opportunities, Event Safety Alliance is excited to announce the return of the Severe Weather Summit in Norman, OK March 8-9, 2016.
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OAKLAND, CA – Most often, the cello is perceived as an ensemble instrument—typically as part of an orchestra or a string ensemble backing an entertainer. And while there is solo literature, nothing can prepare one for the performances of avant garde cellist Rushad Eggleston, also known as the Ambassador of Sneth or the Cello Goblin. As an entertainer, the freedom to move about is crucial to Eggleston. Unlike most cellists, he straps his instrument on and delivers high-energy vocals as he moves around the stage. That’s precisely why he depends on his ISOMAX Headset microphone from Menlo Park, CA-based Countryman Associates.