Performance Planning 4

1. Performance Planning 4
Sound Audiovisuals & SFX
Chris Baker
www.musicstudentinfo.com
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2. Introduction
In this session we will look at
Sound, Audiovisuals & Special Effects
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3. Front of house
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4. Sound
The principal reason for having sound equipment at an event is
so that the audience can clearly hear music, speeches and
audio effects.
The sound system is also used to:
• Communicate between the sound engineer and stage manager
(talk back intercom)
• Monitor the sound
• Create a recording of the show
• Broadcast the sound to other venues or through other media,
including television, radio and the internet
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5. Sound cont.
This means that the type of equipment used needs to be
designed according to the:
• Type of sound to be amplified, including spoken word and music
• Size and make-up of the audience
• Acoustic properties of the room
• Theme of the event
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6. Sound system positioning
The choice of size, type and location of the speakers at a show can make a
difference to the audiences experience of the sound
• The speakers may be next to the stage
• Distributed around the site
• They may be ‘flown’ from supports above the stage/audience
• At a large site, with the speakers widely distributed, the sound
engineers need to take into account the natural delay of sound
traveling from various speakers to members of the audience
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7. Flown & ground stacked set-ups
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8. Large show systems
Large shows require more complex sound requirements that
may include:
• Microphones, radio mic & lapel mic
• Microphone stands
• Cabling to and from the mixing desk
• Mixing desk
• Speakers ranging from bass bins, mid range, horns, wedges &
side fills that enhance the sound spectrum
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9. Large show requirements
• Sound engineer/technician
• Back-up equipment including leads and microphones
• Foldback speakers (monitors) that channel sound back to the
performers
• Foldback mixing desk
• Foldback sound engineer
If a show requires, time should be spent on ‘tuning’ the sound
system. This means that the acoustic properties of the venue
are taken into account by trying out various frequencies within
the room
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10. Monitor desk & techs
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11. Sound system set-up
1 2 3 4
arrival tuning sound technical sound check
get-in system setting run-thru with artists
set-up basic levels audiovisuals reverse
special effects order
&
PERFORMANCE
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12. Audiovisual & special effects
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13. Audiovisual & special effects
• Some A.V. companies offer an integrated system including film,
video & special effects
• Most promoters/organisers hire lighting and sound from
separate companies and integrate their services into the overall
design of the show However, most audiovisual companies are
specialist in flat-screen presentations, and the special effect
area is often best left to to specialists in the field. E.G.
pyrotechnics obviously require different skills and licenses from
ice sculptures
• Complex shows will use a variety of effects and require a
coordinator who knows how to link the specialist areas to each
other, this coordinator may called the event producer
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14. Pyrotechnics
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15. Special effects & audio-visuals
• Sfx & A.V. are used to attract attention, generate excitement
& sustain interest
• Because A.V. & SFX technology is highly complex it is often
‘pre-programmed’ in a controlling computer
• Advantages - the whole set-up can be integrated with cues &
lights in advance
• Disadvantages - spontaneity can be taken away from the
performance & the more technology the more to go wrong
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16. Youtube video
Lights & Special EFX
Pink Floyd Run like Hell - from Pulse…closing track of the set
Pyrotechnics & Special EFX
[HQ] Rammstein - Ich tu dir weh Live at Rock am Ring 2010
(2/5) (OHNE LEIERN)
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17. The End
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