MODULE C (Technical production)
Live Sound
Different types of types of microphones used in a live sound set up.
Sennheiser MKE600
This is a condenser microphone this means that it needs phantom power. The pickup pattern of this microphone is directional to the way that the end of the microphone is pointed. This is called a one directional pickup pattern, This microphone would be good being used in live music as it is directional so it will pickup whatever its being pointed.
SM57
This microphone is a condesner microphone which is specifically made for recording sounds coming from instruments. The pickup pattern of this is cardioid. This means that they are good for bands because they are good at picking up specific sounds that the microphone is pointed at.
SM58
The SM58 is a microphone which doesn't need to have any phantom power as it is not a condenser microphone. This microphone has a cardioid pickup pattern, This microphone is typically used for singers as the microphone has a directional pickup pattern.
AKG C415B
The AKG C415B is a condenser mic that will need phantom power. The microphone has a directional pickup pattern to the way the microphone is pointed, These types of microphones will be good for a live band as the mic will pick up the instruments being placed.
Setting up the stage
Microphone Placement
To start with we had to find the specific microphones that make the band sound good after this we then had to figure out where to place the microphones so that we got the best possible sound from the band as we could. We ended up using 2 overhead microphones to catch the sound of the symbols, The Kick Drum was miced by a microphone that was placed inside the kick drum, and a second lot of microphones were placed on top of the snare drum and the floor tom and the tom. These microphones were all placed on either the mounts so they could be placed on the drums or on stands. The vocalist's microphones were placed on stands as well. The bass guitarist and the guitarist brought their own amps these were plugged into their guitars. The amps were miced by using condenser mics. They were also plugged into a DI box which eliminates the need for a amp but as the performers were using them as monitors we ended up using both.
The photo on the right is an example of a snake. A snake is what is used to provide an extension to the sound desks inputs and outputs.
Band placement
This was important so that we knew where everything was going so we could start placing speakers and microphones where we wanted them. This would ease the process when the band arrived and make sure that everything was ready and we could go straight into sound checks.
Band setup
Initially, I focused on setting up the drum kit and placing microphones where we wanted them on the stage as a team. When doing this I was cautious of which microphones to use as the microphones such as condenser microphones wouldn't do to well for vocalists but the condenser mics would be good for picking up sound from different parts of the drum kit and from the guitarists amps. But for the vocalists microphones we used mics such as the SM58 because it has a wider pickup pattern. Then when the band came we started to sound check and perfect any imperfections or things the band wanted we also EQ the speakers and microphones to prevent feedback.
Performance
After we had completed sound checks for the band we proceeded to let them play their set. While they were playing their set the sound engineer was monitoring the levels of the instruments and moving the faders up or down depending on how loud or quiet it was. This was being used to make sure that the music sounded good.
Evaluation
This project has helped me develop my skills in understanding live sound and what goes on behind the scenes in the organisation of the band. The things that went well in this project were learning where different mics were placed, how to use condenser mics and why they need phantom power and how to set up and use DCA groups to group specific instruments. Firstly, learning where mics needed to be placed was important to this production as this would ensure that the band sounded as good as possible and that there was minimal feedback. Secondly, Condenser mics were the mic we used the most. These mics have a good pickup pattern that suits picking up many different instruments as they are very sensitive. These mics also need phantom power which is 48 volts of power which powers the microphone. Finally, I have learnt how to use DCA groups to group things like a drum kit together on one fader, this is a good skill to learn as this makes the sound operator's job much easier. The only thing that I could do better would be to have better organisation in the pre-production phase of the project as this would have made the production phase much easier to get through.