Theatre Technology (a bit OT)

[DerbyBorn]

I went to see a performance of West Side Story at Kilworth House Theatre yesterday and found myself (as usual) looking at the lighting rigs. Later as the show started I was also reflecting on the fantastic sound quality.

How on earth can a little pea sized microphone in the hair line of the case give such good sound - and why are hand mics used on TV so big?

The use of LED floodlights was effective, but what intrigues me are the large spots that are remotely (programmed?) steered, colour changed, beam shaped, etc.

It has come a long way since I used a Strand Electric 8 channel lighting board 50 years ago.

[Adrian]

They're very directional, though, and have to be set up carefully.

Ease of use.

DMX - or DMX512 - is the default standard.

[charles]

The hand mics also hold the transmitter and battery. But, I suspect that performers like something they can hold properly.

Intellegent fixtures

If you fancy a trip to London on Wednesday or Thursday, there a exhibition of theatre equipment at Alexandra Palace. (ABBT Theatre Show) Register beforehand and it's free.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

A microphone in the hair looks too obtrusive for close ups on TV.

Also, if you're talking about a pop band on TV, the sound levels fed back to on stage (and likely the general sound levels on stage) are of a magnitude greater than in a musical in a theatre. Requiring microphones which can cope with that - which ain't small omnis.

Also, a mic in the hairline doesn't sound anywhere as good as a decent hand mic. But simply the best compromise in a theatre for singing and dancing etc at the same time.

[charles]

There's now a tendency to use very small microphones which are hung from the top of the ear. These can get much nearer the mouth.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

But even more unsightly for TV. And fine for just a performer of some sort

- but a musical does try to be true theatre rather than just a pop record.

[charles]

However, it's difficult to get singers who can sing over the band - which why mikes are often needed.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Really? Makes me wonder about G&S etc ever got popular.

[charles]

1. People knew how to sing
2. Bands weren't amplified

[DerbyBorn]

I presume the individual microphones are faded up and down to a preset cue in a similar manner to the lighting cues.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Brass can make quite a racket without amps.

It's more down to arrangements. Without vocal amplification, the band wouldn't play full belt when there was solo singing.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

That would be very difficult to do with a live performance. Far easier for the sound mixer to just follow a score - or more likely a lead sheet.

If you were working to a pre-record backing track you could easily arrange that to control which vocal mic is faded up and the lighting cues too.

[DerbyBorn]

The show had a live band. Large cast with lots of coming and going on and off the stage. It went perfectly.

[Dave Liquorice]

What do you mean by "preset cue"?

An automated system with everything preset into a lot of memory positions and sequentially moved from one memory to the next under the control of a timeline or maybe a "take" button.

Or a marked up script that the sound mixer manually follows.

The former can't cope with adlibs or performance changes, the latter can.

These days the sound desk will almost have confuration/setup memories but I wouldn't expect them to be used at anything below scene level.

[Dave Liquorice]

But is far better and much more consistent than the same mic on the cozzy.

Yep, nasty wart on the cheek.

The "hairline technique" also works with the mic just above an ear (beware of specticals) and is far less noticeable and depening on hair style possibly not visible at all.

The big snag with hairline mics is the time it takes to stick 'em on and run the cable so it doesn't come unstuck...

[NY]

Do hairline and cheek mikes give better results than chest mikes of the sort that are used on chat shows? Mikes work on clothing (providing you take care to avoid clothing rustle) can be hidden fairly well and give good results certainly for speaking on chat shows. And less unsightly than a cheek wart mike!

[DerbyBorn]

Amazing how little rustle ever comes across. I recall my old tape recorder

- just touching the mic drowned out any voice recording.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Excellent. Just pointing out you don't need full computer control to do this sort of thing. Humans are still capable.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Thanks for telling me that. I assume since you singled him out you think all other singers use mics?

It's odd that even your very most 'favourite' person on here - Wodney - occasionally sticks to the subject.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

You can draw your own conclusions easily. Stick a finger in one ear and move the other to the various places on your partner while they talk. Where do you find the most natural sounding position?

It won't be on the chest, nice though that might be. ;-)

TV uses personal mics where they are because of looks - not performance.