--------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 183 AUDIO Ref: DD300003 Date: 09/02/96 From: CASEY YEE Time: 03:39pm \/To: DANIEL ARDELINE (Read 2 times) Subj: EQ Settings DA> For your purposes the eq should only be used for the two main channels. DA> The surround decoding occurs after the equalization if I am not mistaken. My problem : Need to get an EQ to work with my setup : Pioneer VSX-3DS (AC-3 reciever) Pioneer AC-3 LD Player The weird thing is that the reciever dosn't have preouts and i can't stick anything between the LD and the reciever because it uses AC-3 Digital out. Thanx Casey --- Maximus/2 3.01 * Origin: Frog Hollow Port Moody BC 604-469-0264/0284 (1:153/290) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 183 AUDIO Ref: DD300004 Date: 09/02/96 From: BONNIE GOODWIN Time: 11:22pm \/To: ALL (Read 2 times) Subj: KISS IN CONCERT KISS - An Exercise in Excesses Wednesday August 28th, I got the chance to work the KISS show at ARCO Arena here in Sacramento. While I'm not necessarily a big fan of KISS or of cartoon or glitter rock for that matter, KISS does represent a "best of genre" and is one of THE shows to see out there right now. A lot of the fans dressed like the band for this reunion tour, in full makeup which they haven't done in years. While most shows segregate the crews to a specific task, this was not the case with KISS until the "out". I was largely working with the electrical generator and distribution for this show, where we brought in an extra 400 amps of 3 phase power just for the lighting system, using about half the capability of the semi trailer deisel generator we tied into from Show Power. While a count of lighting fixtures would be nearly futile, it was somewhere in the catagory of 400 PAR cans (the type of lights you see at every concert). A sign that had the word KISS on it that used over 200 (of the MR-16 75 watt type of self contained lamp and reflector) had to use a 24 channel dimmer on it just by itself. There was also a 5*8 video wall setup and a couple of regular video screens that are now about universal at any concert, and a crew of cameramen, directors, switchers, etc, set up directly backstage. OH, almost forgot about a large Varilite system. Seems that it was at least 48 fixtures on that. The sound system consisted of a SHOWCO system with arrays hung from either side of the stage, about double the size of the last concert I worked there. They use AMEK Langley Recall console for Front of House, a Harrison SM5 with extender for monitor mix, Crown on the amps, and Prism house speakers. Onstage, the bass player used Ampeg SVT amps, about a dozen of them, and about the same in Marshall PCM900 amps and cabinets for the Lead Guitar. How did it sound?? LOUD!! Generally very good, but the guitar and bass wasn't quite loud enough throughout the show, strangely enough. They were real speakers and amps, not facades there for show, they could have been turned up louder or more of them added to the sound system clusters. I didn't wear hearing protection, although I should have, yet the sound was mostly tolerable.The sound system sounded great with the exception of some intermodulation distortion between the subs and the high end stuff that I believe was in the sound system, not my hearing. The drums of the opening band was about the only redeeming thing about the opening act, the singer couldn't manage to get on key once until about midset. Some of that could be the monitor mix didn't get going right until then, but then, opening acts are usually there to make sure everything else is working right for the stars anyway. When KISS got onstage, most of the mixing errors cleared up, and the percussiveness and punch that system had was obvious. They also had a pile of pyro (no, not folks with gum disease) on this show including small rockets, flashpots, showers and lots of smoke and purcussive explosions impeccably timed to the music, along with a huge HVAC system to vent all of this out the back door of the arena. All in all, quite a spectacle to behold as a concert goer! Bonnie *:> PRACTICE SAFE SOUND - For more information on protecting your hearing call:HIP-Hearing Is Priceless, by the House Ear Institute(213)483-4431 Write for Free Ear Filters to 2100 W. Third St, Los Angeles, CA 90057 --- QScan/PCB v1.18b / 01-0249 * Origin: The Capitol City Gateway, Since Dec 1979, 916-381-8788 (1:203/909) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 183 AUDIO Ref: DD300005 Date: 09/02/96 From: BONNIE GOODWIN Time: 11:26pm \/To: ALL (Read 2 times) Subj: CAROUSEL CAROUSEL - A Slice of History I recently had the opportunity to work the "in" and the "out" of the current national road tour of Carousel, or billed as the Royal National Theatre production of a Columbia Artists Management, Inc, Center Theatre Productions, Inc., and Theatre under the Stars in association with The Troiaka Organization and Pace Theatrical Group by arrangement of Cameron MacKintosh production of. That should be enough to distinguish THIS production from THAT production, if'fn you know what I mean, Vern. Our local Sacramento Light Opera Association (one of the few local artistic endeavors that is actually covering it's bills, the Sacramento Symphony has just declared bankruptcy) has a series of musicals that it is bringing in on their "Broadway Series" in addition to their summer Music Circus tent shows in the summer locally. They seem to be doing well, even if some argue that the lists of works they perform is a bit "stale". I'd never seen Carousel before, so this was a treat to me seeing a musical with the look and feel of a 1945 production with the exception of todays lighting and sound equipment. I worked in the Sound department (mostly "gofer" and "findthis" for the show's sound crew, two fine troupers (in the best meaning of the term). During the run of the show, it's fairly easy, during the show "just twiddling knobs" and keeping every piece of the equipment working right, but doing the "ins" and the "outs" can be physically quite challanging to all involved. So many people intent on getting their respective jobs complete without interfering with some other trades work is difficult at best, but all find cooperation and get the job done in an amazingly short amount of time with few frayed nerves, afterall, "the show must go on", and on it does, on time, and ready in all respects. Community Center Theatre, a part of the Sacramento Convention Center, owned by the city and folks of Sacramento, etc., seats around 2000 with main floors, Grand and 2nd Tier, perhaps the best acoustics around locally and is used for most of the bigger theatrical shows, when in town. It's well suited to orchestra, opera, ballet and regular theatrical productions. Ain't Misbehaving starring the Pointer Sisters, (a show reviewed in this monrh's Pro Sound News), was recently here. Some other shows coming this seasaon are Cats, How To Succeed in Business, and Phantom of the Opera (Yes, THATone which will require some enhancements to this venue to do right). A great musical from 1945, there are many great songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein. A somewhat "heavy" show theatrically, with lots of sets, scenery, props usually expected from a Broadway musical, done the way Broadway musicals are supposed to be done, with style, lavishness, and complete professionalism all the way down to the to the last stage nail. Although I've been backstage and helped on other shows, this was my first IATSE call to work the setup and tear down of the sound system (video, intercom, power distribution, etc.). This was an interesting production from sound design and operations views. Steve Canyon Kennedy did the original sound design for the show. The two working sound on this tour were David M. Johnson (Mac to us) and Ted Bible. Ted also has a Macintosh with a ProTools DAW in his studio and was using a Mac laptop. We didn't get to discuss computers and DAWs much past that, or to discuss various operating systems virtues, you know how it goes when an Mac vs. clone discussion ensues. Electroacoustic interface to a room is the key to sucess or failure of a sound system The sound system design was unusual but worked very well. Speaker comonents consisted of Tannoy, Apogee, Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW). The unusual part was the use of the Tannoy. These are 15" speakers with their whizzer cone removed mounted to a frame and suspended from the array and side towers. No cabinets! Just a protective cover for transporting. They used 8 in an overhead array, and another 8 were used in the two side towers along with EAW for subs and Apogee for low mids. They use the Tannoys for 500Hz to 4kHz mostly for voice. It seemed to work quite well with the overhead line array of 8 speakers. Small near field speakers also went across the front of the stage down low. A false stage floor had a turntable in it, helped to hide these speakers in front. The sound was a little strange dispersion wise (the Tannoy were omni directional up to about 1000Hz where front and back started to matter and decidedly directional from the front). It did have a decidedly warmth to the system and lack of extreme highs that characterize the best of tube radios that were common around that time in homes where the TV goes these days. Behind stage right was the amp racks(mostly Crown), the Sennhieser wireless mic racks, power isolation transformers and distribution. The front of house (FOH) used a large English CADAC console with about 48 ins with a 20 input sidecar attached to it. To run audio sound effects cues, they had 2 of the new MiniDisk "cart" machines for cue playback. MiniDisks are getting to be quite popular with the new multi-track Minidisk recorders just announced to the Musical Instrument markets at the latest NAMM show. Microphones consisted of laviliers for the wireless packs (omnis from Sennheiser and others), Crown PZMs for stage mikes, and a variety of mics largely by Sennheiser for the orchestra in the pit. Bonnie *:> PRACTICE SAFE SOUND - For more information on protecting your hearing call:HIP-Hearing Is Priceless, by the House Ear Institute(213)483-4431 Write for Free Ear Filters to 2100 W. Third St, Los Angeles, CA 90057 --- QScan/PCB v1.18b / 01-0249 * Origin: The Capitol City Gateway, Since Dec 1979, 916-381-8788 (1:203/909) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 183 AUDIO Ref: DD300006 Date: 09/02/96 From: BONNIE GOODWIN Time: 11:28pm \/To: ALL (Read 2 times) Subj: CAR_AUDIO Hi all! As most know, CAR_AUDIO is now a backboned echo and covers the topic of auto sound, so as of September 1st, all conversation on those areas should cease here and move to the CAR_AUDIO echo. Thanks very much! Bonnie Goodwin Moderator - AUDIO PRACTICE SAFE SOUND - For more information on protecting your hearing call:HIP-Hearing Is Priceless, by the House Ear Institute(213)483-4431 Write for Free Ear Filters to 2100 W. Third St, Los Angeles, CA 90057 --- QScan/PCB v1.18b / 01-0249 * Origin: The Capitol City Gateway, Since Dec 1979, 916-381-8788 (1:203/909) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 183 AUDIO Ref: DD300007 Date: 09/02/96 From: BONNIE GOODWIN Time: 11:34pm \/To: ALL (Read 2 times) Subj: AUDIO RULES Welcome to the International Fido-Net AUDIO echo! We hope you enjoy this echo and visit us often. Some guidelines on this echo follow: *- PURPOSE -* The AUDIO echo is a topic limited message area intended to provide a place for general discussion of sound, audio and acoustics except as noted below including hi-fi, stereo, walkmans, sound synthesis, and audio for film/video, pro audio, sound reinforcement, recording, broadcasting as it applies to consumers. EXCEPTIONS AND LIMITATIONS: A. Any topic that does not fall within the PURPOSE as stated above is deemed off-topic and should not be posted in the AUDIO echo. A more appropriate place should be found on your calling system, a lack of which does not justify placing an off-topic message here in any instance. B. Definite NO's: 1. Discussion of music, music releases, groups - See MUSIC, etc. 2. Soundcard or MIDI topics - See MIDI-NET, etc. 3. Car Audio & Sound. See CAR_AUDIO 4. Commercial Ads, BBS ADS, music software (records, CDs, etc) 5. General computer discussion unless related to audio or the echo 6. Personal attacks because your views differ C. Comparison of equipment and techniques is encouraged, however, keep it friendly and informative, not argumentative or "mine is better". A piece of equipment that is ideal for someone may not be for you. Why you think something sucks is often of more interest than that you think something sucks, as an example. D. This echo has a wide spectrum of users with various levels of experience, expertise and abilities. Respect and courtesy works well. Accuracy of information is appreciated and encouraged. E. Distribution of this echo to other systems is encouraged, and gating this echo to other networks is allowed, as long as I am notified in advance, and that the Audio echo rules are followed. FIDO-NET GUIDELINES: 1. Fido-Net echos are messages that are written on one system, copied then sent to all other systems around the world that carry this echo. This is a public echo. Private messages are not allowed. 2. As this particular echo is defined above, off topic messages are "excessively annoying" by Fido-Net and as such empowers the moderator to take appropriate steps. Free speech is welcome but keep on the topic. 3. Flames, insults, and deliberate attempts to antagonize participants will not be tolerated. Any activity involving illegal practices or techniques do not belong here. 4. Fido-Net is an amateur network, and as such, forbids commercial ads. Buy/Sell type messages may be posted by individuals for indivuduals only. Commercial enterprises must look elsewhere for free advertising. 5. The moderator is the final authority of all echo matters. It is her duty to determine suitability of messages, make policy decisions, and monitor echo flow. If you have a policy complaint or suggestions, directly route it to her at the address below. Policy talk by anyone in the echo is off-topic. LET THE MODERATOR DO THE MODERATING, OK? PENALTY CLAUSE: Anyone that fails to abide by these simple guidelines may find that their sysop will be talking to them because they recieved a Netmail from me outlining policy complaints and suggestions for corrections. If the problem persists, or the sysop resists corrective action, the sysop may find that similar messages to their Net or Zone Echo Coordinator will be asking that the sysop's feed to this echo be cut until such time as sysop or user is in compliance. SANITY CLAUSE: Don't you know yet that there ain't no Sanity Clause??? HOW TO REACH THE MODERATOR Call (916)483-8624 VOICE (8AM-9PM PST). I can also be reached at Fido 1:203/909 or Internet at Bonnie.Goodwin@Cap-City-Gateway.COM Bonnie Goodwin Moderator - AUDIO Now, let's all get back to discussing AUDIO!! --- QScan/PCB v1.18b / 01-0249 * Origin: The Capitol City Gateway, Since Dec 1979, 916-381-8788 (1:203/909) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 183 AUDIO Ref: DD400000 Date: 09/03/96 From: STEVE MCTAGUE Time: 04:43pm \/To: ALL (Read 2 times) Subj: Good Jam-Box for Under $250 My girlfriend is FINALLY wanting to get a CD player for her place and is looking at getting a jam box. Besides my $79 portable CD player at work, I have zero experience with portables. so I'm looking for some help, either manufacturers or exact models to be considered or avoided would be greatly appreciated! She's looking at spending about $250 USD for the whole sha-bang, so don't be bashful! Tell me who you like and who you don't like! Thanks in advance. ... Disco is to music what Etch-A-Scetch is to art. --- Blue Wave/386 v2.20 [NR] * Origin: COMM Port OS/2 juge.com 204.89.247.1 (713) 980-9671 (1:106/2000) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 183 AUDIO Ref: DD400001 Date: 09/03/96 From: DANIEL ARDELINE Time: 08:18pm \/To: CASEY YEE (Read 2 times) Subj: EQ Settings CY> My problem : Need to get an EQ to work with my setup : CY> Pioneer VSX-3DS (AC-3 reciever) CY> Pioneer AC-3 LD Player CY> The weird thing is that the reciever dosn't have preouts and i can't CY> stick anything between the LD and the reciever because it uses AC-3 CY> Digital out. Hmmm.. so the receiver doesn't have jumpers for preout/main in.. try one of the tape monitor loops. In this case "record" acts as the source signal and "playback" is the output from the eq. --- GEcho 1.00 * Origin: The Blue Beam,Stoney Creek,Ontario,Canada 905-662-5784 (1:244/120) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 183 AUDIO Ref: DD400002 Date: 09/03/96 From: DANIEL ARDELINE Time: 08:36pm \/To: JOHN ALLEN (Read 2 times) Subj: Re: Speaker question JA> Haven't seen much about the NAD amps and products except that JA> they have a very plain, understated look. Have you taken one apart? JA> Hows the build quality? Are piece parts of highest quality? JA> Transformers? Wiring? etc? The Rotels seem to give a very good JA> accounting of themselves. Are the NADs of the same JA> philosphy...designed in US or Europe.....built in SE Asia to exacting JA> standards? NADs have always been very plain, but they do the job, and their sonics are as good as anything in their price range, in my opinion. The stuff isn't cheap.. (of course depending on with what you are comparing them and which particular models) but I think that their overall quality is a certainly on par with Rotel. I haven't looked inside (although I had one of their receivers for many years) Their receivers and amps are known for their very high dynamic headroom. Pretty much everything is manufactured in the far east nowadays.. no matter where the design originated. I can't remember what country they are from but the components have that British, uncluttered look to them. --- GEcho 1.00 * Origin: The Blue Beam,Stoney Creek,Ontario,Canada 905-662-5784 (1:244/120) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 183 AUDIO Ref: DD400003 Date: 09/03/96 From: WILL THOMPSON Time: 05:28pm \/To: JOHN ALLEN (Read 2 times) Subj: NAD John was speaking when Will spoke up.... JA> Haven't seen much about the NAD amps and products except that JA> they have a very plain, understated look. Have you taken one apart? JA> Hows the build quality? Are piece parts of highest quality? JA> philosphy...designed in US or Europe.....built in SE Asia to exacting JA> standards? Hi John, I'm a "pull of the cover & look inside" guy & my NAD 3300 is a very clean design, well routed wiring & a minimum of it. Parts I don't recognize as quality but they don't "look" cheap. Transformer is huge & heavy; controls feel solid, to those who've used them. I can't look at the back but I'm sure it's Europe design, SE Asia built. Recommended by my audiophile friends as a great sounding 60 watt intergrated amp. With 3 db of headroom, it'll get my Polks very loud very quick. After 10 years it now has a "leaky" transister (I'm told) with a bit of noise in right channel. Probably from when I tried to hard wire my speaker cables to it. We'll see. TTYL.........Will ... We are not beaten when we loose, we're beaten when we quit. --- How Hot is it? Damn Hot! * Origin: The Home Remote Comm Sys, Tucson, AZ, USA 1-520-292-0997 1:300/25) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 183 AUDIO Ref: DD500000 Date: 09/01/96 From: GRANT GRAY Time: 10:41am \/To: ALL (Read 2 times) Subj: Hi All, I am considering using high quality capacitors as crossovers and was wandering if anyone knew what frequencies are achieved with varying capacitance?? eg: does 2000uF = 100hz??? Please Help!! Thanks in advance, Grant. --- FLAME v1.1 * Origin: #1 BBS (3:712/513)