Sherlock's Sounds
A Recent Experience
On Sunday 7th December I provided sound for the 3rd Islington Green Carol Service. The Studiologic keyboard was used however the level was very poor. I've now ordered a Radial J+4 Line driver which will covert the phono output of -10dbu to the professional level of +4dbV. This will connect to the line in on the Mixwizard but if used with the SQ5 will require the preamp to be turned down all the way and a PAD added as now the signal will be too hot for regular mic level. The guitarist had an all in one pedal board with a DI output which worked well. The congas were mixed with an SM57 and SM58's were provided for the singers. I also provided an IEM for the main singer who said "it's good to work with someone who knows what they're doing".
Regan King brought me back to do sound for the third year running. We used the outdoor rig with the Allen & Heath Mixwizzard 16:2. The multi core blue snake. Amp and passive EV12's. I offered an IEM to the main singer who gratefully accepted and when she handed it back to me afterwards said "It's good to work with someone who knows what they're doing."
Francophone Concert
French speaking but with minimal translation though David helped tremendously. The CAT5 link was sufficient to get me to the back of the auditorium. The Drums were miked and the Keyboard was DI'd. The electric guitar was also DI'd though he had problems with a noisy pedal board. The Bass was DI'd but no signal was received so I should have put an SM57 in front of the cab. The 5 backing singers all used AKG mics D7's & D5's. The main singers used a Sennheiser XSW radio mic. I recorded 16 channels to an SSD using the SQ5 desk. 6 500W monitors were used but 3 died. I've yet to find out why. The event was a great success.
Tamesis Dock for the Uganda Water Project
I provided sound for this Transport Department band on a barge on the Thames, as they raised money for the Bass players charity which he is CEO of. Here's a comment about the event:
Hi Keith
Thanks for doing the sound for us! Grateful you were able to set up so early – helped make the event less stressful. I found some of the communication in advance of the gig a bit challenging as I think you overestimate our knowledge of sound equipment!
Hope all your other events over the weekend go well
Super Troupers
I was hired to provide PA for a show with the ABBA tribute band. It was held on the 12th Floor of the Barclays HQ in Docklands. A missing IEM aerial meant using a floor wedge provided by a singer. Unfortunately during the first half I was told no sound was coming from it. This was fixed in the interval but not before I'd received an instruction from the European Director to turn the sound down or they'd cancel the event which I did. The job included playing backing tracks through the system for the performers to sing to.
June 25 South London Folk Event
The event used a new snake which fell apart as we got to the stage. It has since been repaired with a new nut and thread lock to stop it coming off again. I used the new ZLX 8's as mini floor wedges connected to a new amp Id received. These worked well. Unfortunately rain set in but with the tarpaulin over the gazebo and protecting the two PA amps and with bin bags over the main speakers we survived. The client was again happy with the day!
LINX in Ware
I was hired to provide sound for the LINX Christmas event in a hotel in Ware Hertfordshire. I used the SQ5, EV12P's, AR2412, AKG & Sennheiser Wireless mics.
Oct -24 Weymouth Pier Pavillion
I was asked to provide PA for a show in the Weymouth Pier Pavillion with two days notice. Conversations were centred on the availability of my equipment and whether the client could supplement it with their own. The SQ5 was placed in the FOH position with Sennheiser Radio & IEM Aerials. The venue provided an ethernet cable so I was able to put the stage box on the side of the stage. The band were connected without issue although I learned the benefit of a short snake to connect the drum mics up. Unfortunately the in ear monitors weren't implemented and floor wedges were used instead. This was right before the show and no time to ring them out. The start of the show was problematic as I was fighting feedback but once this was under control the rest of the show went well. Until the compere tried to say something at the end with a switched off radio mic.
Jun 24 South London Folk Event
An outdoor event using my A&H Mixwizzard and the Passive EV speakers. The client provided a gazebo and table for the mixer and ran the multicore to the stage. There were lots of different artists and a stage hand ensured all the singers and musicians were either mic'ed up or di'd as appropriate. The event went very well and I was booked for the following year.