EXCELSIOR, MN — Old Log Theatre artistic director Kent Knutson (pictured here, standing) worked with sound designer Jeff Geisler (seated) on an audio upgrade that included Allen & Heath’s GLD mixing console, Bose RoomMatch speakers and Shure ULX-D wireless microphones.
More details from Allen & Heath (www.allen-heath.com) and American Music and Sound (www.AmericanMusicAndSound.com):
A host of challenges from two Theatre veterans tests an Allen & Heath mixing console in some unexpected ways.
“We have been working together in live Theatre for over twenty years. From High Schools to Art Centers and now at the Old Log Theatre here on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota,” states the new Old Log Theatre Artistic Director, Kent Knutson, about his partnership with Sound Designer Jeff Geisler. Describing these two Theatre Artists as veterans is much the understatement; they separately and together have worked on the design or remodel of five theatres in their careers. Now with their assumption of the artistic and technical reins of the venerable Old Log Theatre, once more the challenges begin.
“Challenge number one? This is a seventy-year-old Theatre that is long, narrow, with a peak roof and big trusses every twenty feet.,” explains Jeff Geisler. The Theatre has an audience capacity of 400 and, given its narrow confines, the front of house position is nearly 75 feet away from the stage. “Live Theatre’s, especially this one, demand flexibility with their variety of productions – oftentimes two completely different shows are running at once here,” says Geisler. “This is one of the main reasons we went with an Allen & Heath GLD-80 mixer – flexibility. If you decide you need more layers you have no problem creating custom configurations that are instantly recalled.”
Challenge number two? Just look up at the Theatre’s ceiling.
“The Old Log Theatre is a cedar roof building, its very soft wood that absorbs sound like a sponge. So we use wireless microphones on the performers. Our previous system could not fill the house – mid way back the sound just dropped off.” Says Knutson. “The GLD mixer allows us to make the Actors sound natural, people are often surprised to find out the Actors’ are connected to the Allen & Heath console-it has that natural voicing in its sound.” adds Geisler. The new sound system consists of a Bose RoomMatch line array in the center channel position along with more Bose ‘Room Match’ speakers in two delay zones. A pair of Bose PM 8500 amplifiers and a set of eight Shure ULX-D Microphones round out the new system with all of this under the control of an Allen & Heath GLD-80 handling the active processing, with a GLD-AR2412 Main Audio Rack and a GLD-AR84 expander. “This was a complicated set up, the Allen & Heath mixer didn’t get in the way-just like an early Allen & Heath iLive console I used before.” relates Geisler.
Speaking of previous experiences with Allen & Heath mixers, we come to challenge number three – a challenge squarely on the shoulders of the GLD-80. “The operators of the mixing console are different for each show here at The Old Log.” shares Geisler.
This is done on purpose, most of the operators are future Theatre Artists themselves from the local colleges getting valuable experience. So what could be the challenge with this? Other than the obvious, ‘learn from your mistakes’ paradigm? The Old Log Theatre is a professional, for profit operation; in fact it is among the oldest professional Theatre’s in America. Keeping the draw not only of audiences, but also of professional Actors is paramount to the Theatre’s continued success. In other words, the shows not only must go on-they have to go on perfectly.
“The GLD-80 lets the operator watch and keep track of the performance due to its very reliable automation features. We are interfacing the console with Q-Lab using a Mac mini computer. The Mac mini interface allows one more layer of automation that makes everyone’s lives easier.,” reveals Geisler.
“I’ve used Allen & Heath in the past, the console has stayed standard in its operating style with new features that don’t confuse or scare me” allows Knutson, and he adds; “The GLD-80 is set up really well. Its scientifically set up to be user friendly and you get a phenomenal sound.”
There is one more challenge that both Jeff Geisler and Kent Knutson have found for the GLD-80 to address: “We have to compete with all of the things the kids and teenagers have for entertainment, like movies in 3D these days” says Knutson. “For our current children’s production the GLD-80 lets us create a very realistic 3D audio experience with specific and very realistic sound effects,” he adds. “It’s like mixing in a recording studio – a whole new approach.” enthuses Geisler. “The Allen & Heath mixing consoles allow for broad creativity for the student to the expert.” he adds. “All in all, we have been sold on Allen & Heath for many years.” states Geisler And a final word from a veteran Theatre Artist like Kent Knutson? “Tell Allen & Heath we are great fans!”
