This past weekend had a bit of a pattern to its madness. A challenge of creating impressive if not epic sound in a non-theatrical, outdoor setting, without access to any legitimate power source.
both days took on the challenge rather differently
First - Redmoon's latest guerilla effort involved arriving in a middle of a baseball diamond in the middle of city park with a propane powered car and executing a 30 minute performance replete with a dj, an MC, an opera aria and a fire organ finale.
Final numbers:
2 wireless microphones +
2 mixers +
1 dj mixer +
3 car amplifiers +
4 full range speakers +
2 laptop +
1 iPad +
1 celluloid control unit
all powered by 4-6 DC batteries delivering upwards of around 2,000 Watts of sound.
1st test proved to be an illuminating albeit tumultuous affair. 8 + hours of set up, 2+ hours of strike, and an unfavorable Signal-to-Noise ratio, but minds were blown and it was definitely unlike anything most people (myself included) have experienced. More outdoor tests in the near future.
Next Day - Lakeside Shakespeare lands in a small meadow in the woods of Northern Michigan to present 2 productions in rep. Macbeth is one of them. Between the witches and the battles there emerged a few needs for some serious sonic solutions.
Final numbers:
2 kick drums
1 gong
1 soprano vibraphone
1 toy piano
1 autoharp mounted to a wooden box for better resonation
5 shakers
all powered by 1/2 of the design team and 1 talented college intern
For Midsummer Night Dream, we add half the cast eager to play their guitars, flutes, harmonicas and accordion (by yours truly).
The shows officially opens on Thursday, July 28th and Friday, july 29th. 1 hour of prep. 30 min strike, and some definitely funny sun burn patterns. Plenty of post show dips in Lake Michigan in the near future.
And so the question remains
both days took on the challenge rather differently
First - Redmoon's latest guerilla effort involved arriving in a middle of a baseball diamond in the middle of city park with a propane powered car and executing a 30 minute performance replete with a dj, an MC, an opera aria and a fire organ finale.
Final numbers:
2 wireless microphones +
2 mixers +
1 dj mixer +
3 car amplifiers +
4 full range speakers +
2 laptop +
1 iPad +
1 celluloid control unit
all powered by 4-6 DC batteries delivering upwards of around 2,000 Watts of sound.
1st test proved to be an illuminating albeit tumultuous affair. 8 + hours of set up, 2+ hours of strike, and an unfavorable Signal-to-Noise ratio, but minds were blown and it was definitely unlike anything most people (myself included) have experienced. More outdoor tests in the near future.
Next Day - Lakeside Shakespeare lands in a small meadow in the woods of Northern Michigan to present 2 productions in rep. Macbeth is one of them. Between the witches and the battles there emerged a few needs for some serious sonic solutions.
Final numbers:
2 kick drums
1 gong
1 soprano vibraphone
1 toy piano
1 autoharp mounted to a wooden box for better resonation
5 shakers
all powered by 1/2 of the design team and 1 talented college intern
For Midsummer Night Dream, we add half the cast eager to play their guitars, flutes, harmonicas and accordion (by yours truly).
The shows officially opens on Thursday, July 28th and Friday, july 29th. 1 hour of prep. 30 min strike, and some definitely funny sun burn patterns. Plenty of post show dips in Lake Michigan in the near future.
And so the question remains