Optimal Mic layout and Mics for 30'x50'

[Simplybill]

I have been debating with myself for weeks now as to what would be the best type of mic's and best layout of mic's to put into a 30'x50's space. I find myself still at a lost and need some advice. I will not actually be in the space until June 11th so I do not have any system specs yet, but ideally what would I want?

Thanks

[museav]

Originally Posted by Simplybill

I have been debating with myself for weeks now as to what would be the best type of mic's and best layout of mic's to put into a 30'x50's space. I find myself still at a lost and need some advice. I will not actually be in the space until June 11th so I do not have any system specs yet, but ideally what would I want?

To do what for what with what budget? A little more information please!

[DaveySimps]

If you could give us some additional information as to what you are exactly trying to accomplish, perhaps we can be more helpful. Are you micing a musical or a play? What else is going on on stage? How many performers are you micing? What will you be hanging from? What mics do you currently have in your inventory? If you will be buying or renting what is your budget? Home many channels are available on your sound board?

As a broad general suggestion, you might think to hang several "levels" of small condensor mics (such as Shure Beta 98 or AT 835). Perhaps, place 4 on one line set / grid pipe about 1/4 of the way down stage, and another 4 about 3/4 of the way up stage. If you have high traffic areas on the set, you should be sure to concentrate more mics in those areas. Again, these are just broad suggestions based on the information you gave so far.

~Dave

[Simplybill]

Sorry about the lack of information, I have also been given a lack of information, so until I get there I won't know everything I should know. But here is everything I know.

The system they have, they say is just to small. All they could tell me was there are 4 mics hung in a box formation surrounding center. No mic specs, just 4 mics. They basically want to be able to hear everyone on stage at any point equally. Which at first I though of a two level system just general area coverage, like DaveySimps you were talking about, but then they threw dance and music into it and now I am not so sure.

The space will be used for Dance (Tap, Jazz, Modern and Ballet), Musicals, Play and Music events ranging from solo vocal performances to ensemble orchestration with vocal. Basically they want to use this theater for everything and from what I was told they do not want to buy or rent lav's. At any given performance there could be 4 to 30 people onstage.

What I know about the board there are 10 channels, 9/10 being linked. I think there are also two sub masters. Cd player, and dual tape deck. I do not know about the amp, or any other equipment and won't know until I get there.

I have also been told that the grid is about 25' above the stage, gird pipe dead hung from wooden rafters.

Budget was not mention, the owner's wanted me to given them three options Best, Minimal, and the middle ground on price vs quality.

This was all something I was waiting on doing until I was there, but they have been breathing down my neck to give them something. I hope this gives you more of an idea of the hell I am working in.

Thanks again

[museav]

Originally Posted by Simplybill

They basically want to be able to hear everyone on stage at any point equally.....

Basically they want to use this theater for everything and from what I was told they do not want to buy or rent lav's. At any given performance there could be 4 to 30 people onstage.....

what I know about the board there are 10 channels, 9/10 being linked. I think there are also two sub masters. Cd player, and dual tape deck. I do not know about the amp, or any other equipment and won't know until I get there.....

I have also been told that the grid is about 25' above the stage, gird pipe dead hung from wooden rafters.

In other words, they want everything for next to nothing even if it violates the laws of physics, that sounds very typical.

Let's start with the fact that they apparently have a maximum of 8 usable channels available on their mixer and it sounds like two or four of those inputs may actually be needed for the CD and tape deck. Also, you apparently don't know what actual input capability and cabling exist for any stage inputs or what may be feasible to add. These factors alone may drive any other decisions. If they realistically only have 4 to 6 stage inputs that can be used and there is no easy way add new inputs, cabling or mixing channels, then that would certainly be a major consideration (and limitation). So this is critical information to know, it is pointless to discuss solutions with 8 hanging mics or footlights mics or anything else if you are pretty much stuck with working with four hanging mics.

Beyond that, I think this may be a case of serious "expectation management". It appears likely that with their desire to avoid any close miking of the actors, then without some investment in infrastructure and mixing capability it will simply be a matter of what can be done within their limitations. They may want to hear everyone using a few hanging mics and they may want to avoid close miking but in my experience that is not practical with the range of events they envision and especially with what sounds like very limited mixing and input capabilities.

[DaveySimps]

Based on this new info, I completely agree. The biggest problem is their expectations and lack of knowlege on the subject. I could not begin to offer any suggestions beyone my previous post. It sounds like this is much more of a political / managment problem than it is a technical problem. Good luck with it.

~Dave

[Simplybill]

Thanks. I figured this might be the case...no wonder I have been killing myself trying to figure it out. Hopefully, I can convince them to consider rebuilding their system. With my mediocre knowledge of sound I wouldn't even know where to begin in telling them what their space ideally needs, but I'll save that topic if and when I get the approval.