Setting Sound Levels

Knowing next to nowt about sound gear, except how to play or avoid it.

As in most theatres techies tend to rely upon the Bang Test, for the most part.

David showed us the other day, how to set the sound levels, which was great!

It always bemuses me witnessing noise boys, constantly twiddling their knobs & such during a show. Sure I realise the need to ride the desk occasionally, but bumping & griding the rotaries all the time. Is surely just for the old ego, especially when the operator is taking up valuable seating in the centre of the auditorium - which is something that gets up my nose!

Thankyou Don, David and "Roger" for your input and advice. Having seen Ric, Martin, Dan Higgot (ESH Touring Company) and others of their ilk going through the "sound check" pre-show setup more times than I care to remember, I am one who is painfully aware of the need to keep it low on the controls.

For the record, Yes Gaafa, riding the desk is a bit of an ego trip for some Audiophiles, but as Don implied, in most cases it is not necessary if they have set their desk up correctly in the first place, but sometimes knobs just have to be twiddled.

Whilst I am here, I apologize on behalf of Audio Tech's the world over for taking up valuable seating space in the centre rear of the auditorium, but that is simply the most logical place for us to be. We need to hear what the audience hears,if not.... well we may as well not be there.

Sit us up in the Bio Box behind a glass screen and we will run your show.... but be prepared for the onslaught of unhappy patrons that complain it is too loud, too quiet, couldn't hear the vocalists over the band, couldn't hear the band over the vocalists, the telephone was too loud, the gunshot was too quiet, the thunder was unbearable, what were those strange noises that sounded like blah...blah...blah.. and so ad-infinitum.

If you want the best sound reproduction you can get, we need to be where we can hear it the best, which is in among the audience so that we are listening to whatever they are listening to and can (if we want to show off and ride the desk) make adjustments as neccessary.

"Be nice to your Tech's - or they'll turn out the lights and go home!"

Graeme I think I realise the reason;- " I know he's audio, but wot's he doing there?"

With audio personally, I prefer to 'set & forget! - in the words of Francis Reid;-

"Hear the light & see the sound"

lets face it;-

If audio techs could count past 1 - 2 -?

They'd all be electricians!

The same when setting up bands, why go to all that palaver? 

"If one wants to know about EQ'n the venue - just consult the Drummer!"

As this all lovable ongoing banter; -

Bless all the Noi's Boi's 

'n their cotton wotknots?

[this is a great thread;-

I now feel confident enough to  darn wind socks & sew up pressure pockets!]

1 to 10 very impressive, your have obviously gone digital - Affectionate techie banter Andrew! Aptly descriptive &/or in dogegorising as in one being a Luvvie, twirly or a spiv!

Chookas