Stuart R
Member
Hello audio wizards,
I run a school theatre program in Miami that has been blessed with some meaningful donor support over the years. While our performing space is no great shakes (stage with tech infrastructure, but stuck at the back end of a cafeteria), we have what I believe is some decent sound equipment:
For starters, this summer the school will be renovating the kitchen, which will require moving the tech booth to the other side of the room. So, all of the sound equipment except the amps (which are in a loft) will need to be moved and the cables traced and rerouted, and we'll need help with that. While we're at it, I want to install a "multi-media" box onstage, with a permanent snake connected to the tech booth, so users can simply plug in instead of our having to run messy cable. Finally, I want to be able to do sound mixing from the rear of house (which we can't do now) using something small and portable - maybe an iPad Pro?
Once the equipment is in place, we'll need to know how to use the QL5 for our main event types: musical theatre, small events (mics and music playback), and lectures/meetings. I'd like to program some presets in the QL5, or otherwise know how to get the settings where they need to be for each event type. I want to know how to program scenes, and also how to group wireless mics together so they can be controlled as a block (riding 25 individual mic faders is a nightmare). Finally, since the admin wants us to train a few other staffers (IT, student life, etc.) how to run "basic sound," I want to know what we can do to make the system somewhat tamper-proof. [I'm imagining something like when you set up your computer so a child/guest can use the Internet but not get into your files.]
Beyond the mixing console, we also have this newfangled audio processor, which I'm told we purchased to replace the old EQ racks. Evidently the processor can "hear" and adjust EQ to avoid feedback and keep everything sounding good with less human intervention? Obviously not my wheelhouse, so we need someone who can tell us what it does, and how to keep it doing what it does correctly.
Looking at the Big Picture, I think our needs break down along these lines (#1 and #2 summarize what was stated above).
So, HOW DO I FIND THESE PEOPLE? And what might I expect to need to pay them?
Thank you for any thoughts/advice you might be able to offer.
Stuart Rosenthal
Scheck Hillel Community School
Miami, FL
I run a school theatre program in Miami that has been blessed with some meaningful donor support over the years. While our performing space is no great shakes (stage with tech infrastructure, but stuck at the back end of a cafeteria), we have what I believe is some decent sound equipment:
- Yamaha QL5 mixing console
- QSC QSYS Core 110F 8x8x8 audio processor
- Yamaha Rio 3224-D Dante stage box
- Crown and Electro-voice amps
- (25 - yes twenty-five...) Shure ULX-D wireless transmitters and receivers
- (plus antennas, monitors, other mics, etc.)
For starters, this summer the school will be renovating the kitchen, which will require moving the tech booth to the other side of the room. So, all of the sound equipment except the amps (which are in a loft) will need to be moved and the cables traced and rerouted, and we'll need help with that. While we're at it, I want to install a "multi-media" box onstage, with a permanent snake connected to the tech booth, so users can simply plug in instead of our having to run messy cable. Finally, I want to be able to do sound mixing from the rear of house (which we can't do now) using something small and portable - maybe an iPad Pro?
Once the equipment is in place, we'll need to know how to use the QL5 for our main event types: musical theatre, small events (mics and music playback), and lectures/meetings. I'd like to program some presets in the QL5, or otherwise know how to get the settings where they need to be for each event type. I want to know how to program scenes, and also how to group wireless mics together so they can be controlled as a block (riding 25 individual mic faders is a nightmare). Finally, since the admin wants us to train a few other staffers (IT, student life, etc.) how to run "basic sound," I want to know what we can do to make the system somewhat tamper-proof. [I'm imagining something like when you set up your computer so a child/guest can use the Internet but not get into your files.]
Beyond the mixing console, we also have this newfangled audio processor, which I'm told we purchased to replace the old EQ racks. Evidently the processor can "hear" and adjust EQ to avoid feedback and keep everything sounding good with less human intervention? Obviously not my wheelhouse, so we need someone who can tell us what it does, and how to keep it doing what it does correctly.
Looking at the Big Picture, I think our needs break down along these lines (#1 and #2 summarize what was stated above).
- Set-up/installation: Assess the current sound system set-up and move everything but the amps to a new location; add a stage box; set up back of house mixing capability. And get everything up and working. [THIS SUMMER]
- Configuration/training: Determine proper equipment settings and recommended set-up and running procedures for various event types. Provide training to staff (which we will document in order to allow for future replication). [THIS SUMMER]
- Production Sound: There is also the possibility, IF we can find funding, of having someone come in to serve as Sound Engineer/Head Op for the run of our big musical (usually February or March). Basic duties: Come in, get things set up, train and supervise student tech crew in running the show. If we can't get the funding, we will have to figure out how to do this on our own, or maybe have someone come in to get us set up, and then let us run with it.
- Resource: Finally, it would be great to have someone available, whether live or by phone/Zoom etc. for occasional questions and troubleshooting.
So, HOW DO I FIND THESE PEOPLE? And what might I expect to need to pay them?
Thank you for any thoughts/advice you might be able to offer.
Stuart Rosenthal
Scheck Hillel Community School
Miami, FL