Clarus Pics

Easter Photos

Encouragement

Encouragement is not heard a lot around a sound booth. If some in is talking to you it usually is someone needing a monitor adjustment, someone telling you how the mix should be, or just telling you it is way to loud or to soft.  Today I had a great compliment.  My friend Matt was running 1st service today, he always does a great job, but a man came up and complimented him on the mix.  He said that we have the vocals very clear, you can understand the words.  He mentioned he had visited a couple of times and was impressed each time with this.  He said that we do get about as loud as he likes, no more please, but it was not just noise.  Two things I got out of this. First, Matt does a really good job 1st service. Second it goes off of how we build our mixes at DSC. I try and get the vocals right. In church we need to understand what the leaders are singing.  This does not mean you need to sacrifice a good bass or electric guitar tone, but places the priority first and everything else in the mix is there to support it.

Where Should the Mix Start From?

I have been reading a lot about building a mix lately. Most have been stating that you start with Kick and Bass Drum because they form the foundation of the Mix.  I do agree that the foundation is in the kick and bass combo. I build a mix a little different. Though some have discounted this statement from Robert Scovill I agree with it especially for Worship, "They won't go home humming the kick drum." Even Big Mick from Metallica starts with the vocals.  I build vocals down.  The vocals have to be out over the top of the mix, yet they are not usually the weakest on the stage. I dial in a good vocal blend and start bringing in guitars and keys. I then will bring bass in drums in.  I can still get a tight sound between the two and get a nice foundation. I don't think it is wrong to start with kick and bass many great mixers do, but I as they say there are many ways to get to the same end.

Mic That Piano part 2

Well I was unable to make my KSM 27 experiment did not work but I am going to try a few small diaphragm side address microphones. My first set will be Audio Technica ATM 450 and after that I will be trying a pair of Beta 181's. I ended up using DPA 4061's which worked great as usual, but I am still looking for a new microphone setup so I can switch the DPA's to violin when needed. Stay tuned for the results in the coming weeks.

Mic That Piano

Well with Easter coming up and the huge amount of channels we are using i am going to have to get creative with my microphones. i am currently using DPA 4061 stereo pair on the piano. I also love these microphones on violin, which we have two for Easter. I just saw a videonusing a couple Audix SCX25 with lid closed. Well I don't have any 25's so I am going to try out a couple KSM27's and see what happens. Stay tuned for the results.

I Forgot my iPod!

Well I forgot my iPod for our Lord's Supper Service on Wednsday. I thought no problem I will just use my iPad for the preservice music. It after all has the same playlist for just such a time as this. I have an iPod dock I use so the iPod is standing up, the dock makes it an easy connection to the sound board. I also have an iPad dock in my office. I thought that it would be nice to switch the docks out for the night. It was pretty cool looking, the iPad standing next to the sond board. The issue i had isnthat it was way to big. The people behind the sound booth were looking at a giant distraction. So it was cool but also the big D. DISTRACTING! Exactly what we don't want to be in the tech area. Lesson learned, we need to find a better spot if we use the iPad in the sou d booth.