Outside Audio Mixing

[lieperjp]

Our school is having an end-of-year picnic, which is outdoors. We are having live music, which usually means garage bands. Usually each band is 1-2 electric guitars, 1 bass, and a set, but this can vary as our opener is a wannabe punk rock band and mixed in we have a ska band, an acoustical guitar duet, and several run-of-the mill bands who just like to play, well, loud. I've never done mixing outside before and I will be one of two board ops. The other board op has mixed outside before, but only once. And he's not that experienced to begin with. (Yes, Derek, I [BOLD] DID [/BOLD] just start a sentence with a conjunction.) So, I was wondering if you have any tips you'd like to share? I believe we'll be using direct boxes for the guitars which for the most part will NOT be amped on stage, wired mics (with very colorful wind muffs!) for the acoustical guitar and anything else. Vocals we'll use new wireless Sure mics (also with the colorful wind muffs) to save time and energy messing with cords. It's in a semi-wooded area, bands on a stage. Stage monitors and two or four speakers (oh, what to call them. Not really house speakers. Hmm.)

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by lieperjp

...(Yes, Derek, I [BOLD] DID [/BOLD] just start a sentence with a conjunction.)...

Like I'd even notice.

From a lighting guy who knows enough to be dangerous when mixing audio...

High humidity can play tricks on you, especially with reverb/delay settings.
You've already addressed the mic wind-noise issue; much more important if you're mic-ing a symphony.
The wind can actually seem to blow all your high frequencies away.
The subs have nothing but the ground to which to couple, so try to bring twice as many.
The people in the back will always want the PA turned up, and the people in the front will usually want it turned down. Tell them to switch!
Wear a hat and sunscreen, and insist on a pop-up type canopy over FOH, preferably the scrim-type.
Don't forget the cooler and ice.
Don't try to play Vinyl LPs in Las Vegas in July!


On the plus side:
You don't need to worry about what the room is doing to you, but be mindful of concrete/block/brick walls or other reflective surfaces nearby.

[Eboy87]

To expand on what Derek offered. I worked a battle of the bands outdoors a week or two ago (two I think).

Bring more PA than you think you'll need; SOS [definition: Speaker On Stick (tripod stand); or Sound on a Stick] with a sub or two may be fine to cover the same amount of people indoors, but not outside.
I center coupled 4 18" subs in front of the stage to get enough low end.
Get the tops above the audience (which goes without saying really).
With wind noise, I think I carefully notched out 200 Hz on the mic's to get rid of wind. I had a LS9 though at FOH, so it made my life easier.
Bring an efx unit. You won't have reverb from the room to open up the drum kit.
Definitely an EZ-Up of some type, sunglasses, and sunscreen (this coming from someone with Irish heritage).
Make the wedges LOUD!!! You can always turn down when asked, but ring them out to be "Jesus Tap Dancing Christ tear-your-head-off loud". We had an emo/screamo band where we were tickling the clip lights on a PLX 3102(?)
Drink water. No idea what the temperature is like for you where you are, but stay hydrated (this coming from someone who backpacks the Grand Canyon).
Again with wind, it will blow your sound around, but there's not much you can do about that.
With humidity and getting the tops above people's heads, aim them down slightly so they cut through the humidity layer above the sweaty dancing audience.
Have fun, I enjoy mixing outdoors anyway.

[Raktor]

Originally Posted by lieperjp

I believe we'll be using direct boxes for the guitars which for the most part will NOT be amped on stage

Hmm. I'd advise against this. The guitarists should have their amp miced instead, as this will sound -completely- different. A lot of the characteristics of the guitar/amp can only be heard through the amp, and most guitarists will complain if they are just DIed.

[Eboy87]

Sorry to keep posting, I'm really bored today. Raktor, it would depend on what DI we're talking about. If they're using the Line 6 POD or I believe the Vox ToneLab does it too, I could see not needing amps at all. But if we're talking about a JDI on stage for them to plug into, then bite the bullet and mic the cab. Nevertheless, if they bring amps, mic them. I guarantee that the talent will want their "sound" no matter how crappy it is.

If I can find a mic stand, I'll post a pic of how I mic cabs.

And a sidebar, I have written down from my show that wind for the show was between 100- 200 cycles. Sadly, I didn't write down where my EQ's were set.

P.S. Thanks Derek for the edit, I sometimes forget some don't know all the terms. No offense anyone.

[lieperjp]

Originally Posted by Eboy87

To expand on what Derek offered. I worked a battle of the bands outdoors a week or two ago (two I think).

I center coupled 4 18" subs in front of the stage to get enough low end.
With wind noise, I think I carefully notched out 200 Hz on the mic's to get rid of wind.
Bring an efx unit. You won't have reverb from the room to open up the drum kit.
Make the wedges LOUD!!! You can always turn down when asked, but ring them out to be "Jesus Tap Dancing Christ tear-your-head-off loud". We had an emo/screamo band where we were tickling the clip lights on a PLX 3102(?)

Have fun, I enjoy mixing outdoors anyway.

Subs... Would definitely use them if I had them.

EQ... Again, would definitely use one if I had one. Working to correct this ASAP. Oh, if only we had money left in our budget...

Efx unit... Again, would use if I had one. One of our boards has one "built in," but it's a Behringer, so I don't want to use it. I also seriously doubt it's quality.

... LOUD! Will do gladly if I can!

And of course I'll have fun. Who doesn't have fun doing tech work? Ok, at the time, with all the work, maybe it won't seem fun...

Thanks for the tips. I will use as many as I can!!!

[lieperjp]

Originally Posted by Eboy87

If I can find a mic stand, I'll post a pic of how I mic cabs.

Pictures would be great!!!

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by Eboy87

...If I can find a mic stand, I'll post a pic of how I mic cabs. ...

What, this

isn't good enough for you? Maybe it isn't, as it took me a long time to find any on the 'net. They call it a Z-Bar, but I've always called it a Z-Bracket. Can't remember who makes them.

[Eboy87]

To me, that picture looks like the '57 is pointed at the dust cap, though it really isn't since it's a Vibroverb. I've never used a Z-Bar, I've always done the shorty boom stand. THough I have draped my e609 over the front grill. I wanted to make a point about not going straight-on into the dust cap.

Besides, it's fun getting stuff set up for photos.

And I think Right Stuff makes the Z-bar. I also thought Shure used to sell them.

Dust Cap: The dome in the center of the loudspeaker

[derekleffew]

Define "dust cap" please.