#venue profile

[livesoundgirl]

that thing that I do…..

•Audio Engineer•

[tphndcreative]

Engineer Info: Venue Profile - FOH Rack ... "Com Input"

from: http://mixonline.com/livesound/applications/audio_digidesign_venue/

There are two mic preamps on the control surface/FOH Rack. One is the talkback, located on upper-right-hand corner of the main control surface. The other, called “Comm,” is on the back of the FOH Rack on the left side of the I/O card. I thought it was for Clear-Com, but it's actually a mic pre and less noisy than the talkback, and is also assignable to the monitor/headphone section as a proprietary talk-over.

For example, if your monitor engineer or stage manager needs to reach you quickly, plug them into this input (use a mic with an on/off switch), and they can automatically speak to you on top of whatever you may have going on in your monitors/'phones. Or, if you're like me and you EQ the P.A. with a Shure SM58 and your own voice, your dulcet tones will never have sounded better. The only slight hitch is that the gain control for this mic pre is right next to the XLR input on the rear, but what's a few more minutes on your knees, anyway? Both mic preamps can be found and soft-patched in the FOH tab of the patchbay inputs folder.

[musicza]

Venue/Artist Profile: Obviouzly Armchair and K.I.A.T.

Yesterday evening we met up with Tash in her local neighborhood of Observatory. She had spent the day at the TEDxCapeTown conference for the day and took us to the after party at a local pub called Obviouzly Armchair. It turns out that this pub doubles as a local venue for aspiring bands to garner publicity. In a room adjacent to the main bar, a stage decked out with any speaker equipment a performer might need stands ready for musicians to entertain crowds. At the back of a space capable of holding no more than 50 people this inconspicuous venue even has sound technicians monitoring acoustics for performing acts. Standing room only at Obviouzly Armchair keeps the mood light and leaves plenty of space for audience members to groove along to the beat. And should you get hungry you can easily step out into the bar and order tapas.

As part of the official TEDxCapeTown after party K.I.A.T. was playing at Obviouzly Armchair. Based in Cape Town, but formed strictly of Zimbabwean nationals, this band brings a traditional vibe to the stage. Although the instrumentation includes the standard guitar, central to the African sound of K.I.A.T. are the marimba and mbira. With those two additions the band generates an African reggae tone highlighting themes of importance in Africa, such as love, tolerance, poverty and religion. Additionally, the Shona language accents their bright music to complete the Afro reggae vibe.  While K.I.A.T. may not yet have the repertoire of distinct tunes to make it big, with a little diversification in their sound this band could easily get signed by a major label.

[musicza]

Venue Profile: Fugard Theatre

Named after South Africa's most famous playwright (i.e. Athol Fugard), the Fugard Theatre fits snugly in the streets of District Six. Occupying the Sacks Futeran building and utilizing the renovated Congregational Church as an entrance, the Fugard welcomes visitors into a small lobby complete with concessions. Off the lobby patrons enter the cozy theatre. 

From my experience at the Dear Reader concert, the Fugard Theatre is a great Cape Town venue for intimate concerts. When I ordered tickets I expected the theatre to be similar to the Filmore Theatre in Detroit, Michigan. Although it did not match the standing stalls of the Filmore, the Fugard still impressed me as a concert venue. Holding no more than 280 guests, the small room offers visitors an up close view of performers, even from the very last row. With sound technicians listening from the back of the theatre, musicians and audience alike can focus on the concert without concerns of poor acoustics. In fact, my only complaint from my experience at the Fugard Theatre occurred prior to my arrival. For some reason (and this may just be how things work in South Africa) the Fugard does not have a box office; I ordered and picked up my tickets through a third party. Aside from that minor inconvenience the Fugard Theatre impressed me and I would visit again for a concert or show should the opportunity arise.

Photographs courtesy of Fugard Theatre website

[ntlive]

NT LIVE VENUE PROFILE: Amphibian Stage, Ft Worth Texas

National Theatre Live would not have its global reach if it wasn't for our wonderful partner venues who help bring world class theatre to communities large and small. We would like to shine a spotlight on those efforts as this week we highlight Amphibian Stage Productions in Ft Worth, Texas. In collaboration with The Modern Museum of Ft Worth, Amphibian Artistic Director Kathleen Culebro bridges London theatre to those in the Lone Star state.

For more information on Amphibian Stage and tickets to NT Live events in the Ft Worth Texas region, click here.