Live band Project
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My live band project was for the band @offical.tidawaves on Instagram. Our assessment was to set up the stage for the band to come and perform, and also mix their band so that they sounded the best they could, while also having a go at putting effects on the band to see how they sound with effects and other changes to the songs they were performing.
Set-Up Process
The first step of the project was to power on the sound desk and speakers to make sure that the desk was connecting properly, and the speakers and cables were connected so that the band could be heard throughout the entire room. This is important to make sure that there are no problems with the cables or connections from any microphones or amplifiers to the sound desk. The next job was to set the stage with the instruments and microphones, this included a drum kit, bass, and guitar amplifiers, and two vocal microphones. We also had to set the input/output box on the stage where all of the microphone dmx cables could reach. As a group, there were a few problems with this stage as we had to find the right cables and make sure that each one was long enough, but once we were confident that each cable was long enough, we were quick in setting each cable to the right channel in the sound desk. One of the jobs that I did during this process was to help plug in the microphones to the input box on stage, all of the cables had to go under the stage or around the stage which gave us the challenge of making sure that the cables that went under the stage we could reach or make sure that they made it to the other side of the stage. To overcome this challenge, we pushed a cable under the corner of the stage, pulled it out of the longest side, then pulled it across the length of the stage then pushed it back underneath so the cable was hidden. For the vocalists, we used a Dynamic Microphone so that there was no feedback and the quality of sound was good. For the Instruments we only gave the drum kit Drum microphones as the guitar and bass were already loud as they both had amplified. When micing the drum kit we added a mic to the kick drum as without it it can be quiet, and the Tom's because they can get easily overpowered by the snare drum. we added a microphone to the hi-hats as they can become drowned out by the crash and kick drum. To elevate the volume of the band we used speakers on the left and right sides of the stage angled inside to face the audience so they can fully hear the band. Our other speakers were under the other speakers and they were facing directly forward so that the sound echoed around the room.
Programming
Once all of our microphones and amplifiers were in the correct input and output channel on the stage box and the sound desk, we could start by doing a line check, this involved us going around each microphone individually and making sure that the microphone is on and is producing enough sound out of the speaker so that when the band member played or sang into the mic they would be loud coming out of the speaker, during this process of checking all of the mics we had to keep in mind that all of the microphones were going to be used at once so the sounds levels might clash, and we would have to change some of the sound levels because our testing of the microphones will be different to the band playing their instruments.
Line Checking
Once the band arrived, I had to do another line check, starting with the drummer I went mic by mic, and then I asked the drummer to play a song as he would in a performance including every part of the drum, this was important to do as the drum kit can sound louder when the drummer plays like they would for a performance. Then I asked the bass and guitarists to play in a performance situation so that I could mix their levels on the sound desk to make sure their amplifiers were not interfering with the speakers or our desk. I then repeated the process with the two vocalists. After I had checked and fixed the vocalist's levels if needed, I then asked the band to perform one of their songs so that we could check the levels in each monitor we had one by the drummer and two on either side of the vocalists so that the band members could hear themselves and their other band members playing. I had to make sure that all of the band members could hear the drummer and guitarists so that they could stay in time. After I had completed this, as the band played, I only had to make sure that none of the microphone levels reached a concerning decibel that could damage our hearing after listening at that level for too long. In the video to the side is me coiling a cable after the live band project, this is one of the many cables we had to use for this project.
Evaluation
My Live sounds project was to use a live band to learn and understand how to mix a band for a live performance. Overall, during this project, I learnt how a sound desk works for a live sound project as it had a different purpose in a theatre or other events. During the project, the first challenge I had to overcome was making sure that all of the cables worked and were correct for all of the speakers and monitors we were going to be using. In the industry, I will need to know what cables are used for an event without thinking to make sure I can focus on other more important jobs. What went well was keeping the band's levels at a healthy decibel. This was important because I had to make sure that I was keeping our hearing safe and the band members hearing safe. As this was my first time line checking I was slow at first, but it came easier to me as we had some guidance so the rest of the checks were simple as I knew what I was listening for in each mic. If I were to repeat the project, I would be quicker as I would know what to do, and how to do it, but I would also try to include some effects onto some of the microphones if the band would like any as they could make the band sound better. Personally, next time I would try to get involved more with the mixing and the process of working the desk in general as it would give me a better idea of how a sound desk works and all of its components.