Can you tell we're getting busier?
Show: Unity 1918
Job Title: Sound Technician
Location: RWCMD, Cardiff, Wales
Ok so clearly we are getting more and more work since by the end of each day I am too tired or 100% done with the show and need a break. But I accomplished a lot last week, and had my first mini-breakdown of the show.
Last week was all about our kit list and the LS9, which is a digital sound desk made by Yamaha. I don't know which was a bigger learning curve, starting to play with and program on the desk or trying to measure and spec all the cables and other sound equipment we will need. When I started I didn't even realize the cables had to be separated into two different categories (i.e. signal vs power) and probably couldn't tell Powercon from Speakon. I finished with a 2 page kit list, a working knowledge of a variety of cable types, a little more confidence for our get-in and NO HEADACHE! I had to ask about 7 people a million questions but hey that's called learning and it's why I'm here.
I did however have a bit of a quick breakdown over the LS9 at one point. The first day we had it along with some other equipment to play with, I set up everything by myself and everything was working so I started out the day feeling pretty good. Then I played with some of the effects a little bit laid over some vocals and my violin and it was sounding really cool so I felt even more awesome. Then my designer came in and I showed him what I had done with the effects and found out that while it sounded cool that is the exact opposite of what the designer is trying to do. Then he gave me a really complicated set of instructions and left again. While I appreciate that he thinks I'm competent enough to figure these things out on my own, and I'm flattered, I wanted this placement so I could be taught BY someone more experienced than me about the technical end of sound design. Not figure out everything on my own. I like a balance between self-learning and learning from others. I just also feel like I could do so much more with the time I am using to figure things out on my own, I could be shown something in 1 hour instead of me struggling through for 3 if you know what I mean. So I proceeded to play some angry music and just have a quick moment to freak out and be a tad emotional. The I pulled it together and eventually figured out everything I need to.
We have a few more days of prep work this week, and then our get-in and tech week starts on Friday! I'm split right down the middle between being super excited (because it will be way more exciting than all the stuff I've been doing and a little more fast-paced) and absolutely terrified (since I've never installed or programmed sound equipment before and I'm not sure my designer who has the experience can be there all the time to look over my shoulder and give me help when needed). But like I live the rest of my life, I'm looking at it with a cross-that-bridge-when-I-come-to-it attitude and hopefully the next few days will make me feel more confident about it rather than more nervous.
Sorry there wasn't more detail in that and it's way late, but better late than never and I haven't been allowed to have caffeine for a month so my brain is slightly sleepy all the time. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.










