MU478 Directed Reading
Hello Barbara, Glad you found your way to my website! Enjoy!
My Journey
This past year, I undertook the goal of becoming a freelance sound technician. My primary motive was to lay down some experience in a related field of music and the industry that surrounds it. As a sound technician is essentially a trade job, my journey would begin with making many connections and acquiring potential opportunities similar to apprenticeships.
CONNECTIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Connection: Through recent Laurier grad, Shannon Lee, I gained access to The Hub, a live music venue, to learn about the planning, setup, and execution of live shows.
Learning Objectives:
● X-32 soundboard operation
● Cable management and routing
● Sound checking procedures
● Pre-mixing techniques
● Live mixing, including problem-solving skills
● Efficient teardown processes
● Negotiating fair compensation for work
(A community theatre hosting various events, including concerts, lectures, and performances)
Connection: While working with Sherwood, I met Cameron, the sound technician at The Registry Theater, who informed me of an upcoming opportunity in November.
Expectations:
● Dealing with acoustic considerations
● Working in an older venue setting
● Focusing on theatre performances (less live music)
● Reduced emphasis on pre-mixing
(Music Management and Promotion Company)
Connection: Through Jaycelle Scott's recommendation, I reached out to Good Company, a music management and promotion company.
Current Status: While I don't possess extensive experience yet, I initiated contact with them and provided details about my current experience level.
Future Prospects: While uncertain, I remain committed to exploring potential opportunities with Good Company and similar organizations as I continue to develop my skills through this course.
(Audio Tech Coordination Company)
Connection: Through Shannon and recommendations from several others, I explored the opportunity to work with Sherwood Systems to gain experience in the labour side of the audio tech industry.
Expectations:
● Engaging in grunt work, resembling general labour tasks, to gain valuable hands-on experience.
● Acquiring knowledge about various cable types, including Edison, True One, XLR, among others.
● Developing skills in organising and coordinating tasks to ensure a smooth load in/load out process.
● Learning the art of invoicing and maintaining accurate records for tax records.
● Demonstrating flexibility in terms of when and where I can work, adapting to the dynamic nature of the industry.
IMPACT LOAD IN SEPT 24th 2023
Event Details:
On September 24th, I had the opportunity to be part of the Load In crew for the IMPACT Festival 2023, a prominent annual theatre and music festival held in downtown Kitchener. The festival showcases a diverse array of theatre acts and musical performances across multiple venues and bars in the city.
Role and Location:
My role primarily involved setting up a stage in front of Kitchener City Hall. The unique aspect of this event was the use of a special stage truck provided by a company called Stageline. This truck could transform from a parked vehicle into a fully functional stage, with walls folding down to reveal the complete setup.
Insights Gained:
Participating in the Load In crew for IMPACT Festival offered me several valuable insights into the event industry and the intricate workings behind such a large-scale production.
Stage Truck:
Witnessing the transformation of the stage truck was truly remarkable. I discovered that this truck was not owned by Sherwood, the organising entity, but rather by Stageline, a company specialising in mobile stage solutions. It was fascinating to learn that renting one of these trucks for a day costs $3000, which was a significant expense for the festival, considering it ran for a week. This expense underscored the need for the festival to generate substantial revenue, which involves various components like hiring crew members, organisers, promoters, and performers.
Theatre Performance Setup:
While my tasks included typical responsibilities like hooking up cables and checking sound, I encountered an atypical challenge in setting up the stage and lighting for a theatre performance. This was an area where none of us had much prior experience. It shed light on the team's ability to adapt and improvise when faced with unforeseen challenges. Unfortunately, this situation extended our originally planned 4-hour shift into an 8-hour endeavour due to equipment malfunctions and our collective inexperience with this specific equipment. As a result, the brute labourers, including myself and two others, found ourselves temporarily out of work while organisers and supervisors worked to identify and rectify the issues.
In summary, my involvement in the Load In crew for the IMPACT Festival 2023 not only exposed me to the logistics of event setup but also gave me valuable insights into the financial and operational aspects of large-scale festivals. Additionally, the challenges we encountered during the theatre performance setup highlighted the importance of adaptability and problem-solving in the live music and theatre industry. I look forward to further discussions with one of the festival organisers (Cameron) to gain a more comprehensive understanding of how such events come together.
UW CONVOCATION LOAD OUT OCT 22ND 2023
Event Details:
On October 22nd, I had the opportunity to participate in the load out for the University of Waterloo's Convocation fall graduation ceremony. This event took place at the University of Waterloo's athletic complex, specifically in the gymnasium.
Notable Aspects:
This shift was particularly captivating due to the grandeur of the decorations and the meticulous preparation put into the event. The gymnasium was adorned with impressive 40-foot black silk curtains and massive banners that prominently featured the school's colours and logo. It was evident that the University invested significant effort and resources to ensure that the entire ceremony provided a truly memorable experience for the graduates and attendees.
Stage Setup:
The stage setup involved a small podium where graduates' names would be announced, as well as an exceptionally long steel truss suspended from the ceiling. The truss held various essential elements such as lights and speakers. The installation and disassembly of this truss required a special machine, essentially a tall lift on a small car. However, this machine was remarkably heavy, necessitating us to lay out pallets of plywood to protect the gymnasium floor as it moved around. Dealing with these heavy pallets and the machinery was one of the most physically demanding aspects of the job.
Challenges Faced:
The second demanding task we undertook was folding up the massive black silk curtains, which were no lightweight items either. Ensuring that we kept the soft side up to prevent any scuffing added an extra layer of care to the process. However, the most challenging and intricate task of the day was untangling around 200 cords from one another, employing a "reverse-wrap" method to coil them, with some cables weighing as much as 40+ pounds. We then placed the specific cables in their corresponding case. Precision was crucial in this task, as any mistakes could result in tangled cords or misplaced cables, making them difficult to manage.
Curiosity and Insight:
During the process of taking down the banners that prominently displayed UW's logo and colours, I couldn't help but wonder about their origin and production. I decided to inquire about this from the owner of the company, and he revealed that Sherwood had connected the University of Waterloo with a banner manufacturer they had worked with previously. UW had commissioned the banners to be created specifically for this event. This conversation led me to ponder whether Sherwood could leverage such opportunities to gain an advantage in the industry by covering the banner costs in exchange for retaining their services. The owner acknowledged the idea but noted that it might not be necessary, given Sherwood's relatively unchallenged position in the industry.
In summary, this day of work provided me with a new set of skills and a deeper understanding of the meticulous preparation that goes into large-scale events like the University of Waterloo's graduation ceremony. It was a smooth and informative experience that added valuable knowledge to my growing skill set in the live event industry.
Event Details:
On November 24th, I had the opportunity to shadow at The Hub alongside Shannon, with whom I've established a connection earlier this year. The event in focus was a concert featuring a touring country band. While the band used their dedicated sound technician for the main speakers (DCA's), the responsibility of handling the monitor mix was entrusted to Shannon and I.
Unexpected Challenges:
Initially anticipating a more observational role, the night took an unexpected turn downstairs at Bobby O'Briens, where another band was scheduled to perform. To our surprise, there was neither a sound technician nor a soundboard available. Seizing the opportunity for hands-on experience, I willingly stepped into the role of their sound engineer, tasked with procuring a suitable soundboard for the night.
Adapting to Analog Realities:
In the process, I found an old analog soundboard in storage. Despite its condition, I managed to figure out how to get it working. Transitioning from digital to analog mixing posed its challenges, but the fundamental concepts were similar enough. Adjusting the monitor levels was straightforward with designated knobs for each channel and just two faders for overall output. However, there were a few dusty knobs which presented some crackling issues, which I resolved by zeroing them out and maxing them out a few times.
Technical Learning Experience:
The night offered a rich technical learning experience, demanding an adjustment in my mixing approach from a digital to an analog perspective. Familiarising myself with the intricacies of a new venue, understanding its signal flow through the snake (block of channels), and overcoming the unique challenges of analog equipment expanded my technical skill set.
The Value of Accessibility:
Beyond the technical aspects, the experience underscored the value of accessibility and adaptability in this field. The unexpected transition from shadowing to taking charge of a live performance added an extra layer of stress, but it also created a memorable learning opportunity. It reinforced the principle that being open to diverse experiences not only expands one's skill set but also positions you to tackle unforeseen challenges.
THE HUB/BOBBY O’BRIENS SHOW, NOV 24th 2023
DRAGAN, THE REGISTRY THEATRE, DEC 2ND 2023
Event Details:
On December 2nd, I had the chance to contribute to a Serbian children's play at the Registry Theatre, presented by the local group 'Dragan.' Conversations with the organiser highlighted the significance of preserving cultural ties within the local Serbian community, dating back to the Bosnian war.
Roles and Learning:
My role involved the usual setup and teardown, with a focus on managing sound and lighting. What made this gig unique was the need to get acquainted with a new lighting board software. While handling lighting faders was straightforward, the software's unconventional interface added a learning curve. The venue's specific post-show procedures required a careful grasp of fader levels, file-saving, and shutdown steps. It felt a bit overwhelming initially but became more manageable as the shift progressed.
On-the-Fly Challenges:
During setup, I noticed the event coordinator hadn't briefed me on sound or lighting details, and showtime was approaching. It turned out she hadn't seen the script until that day, leading to on-the-fly adjustments. Despite the simplicity of the show, discovering transitions and cues in the moment added an extra layer of learning and engagement.
Theatrical Insights:
Working on this play offered insights into the theatrical world, a departure from my usual music gigs. Unlike the music scene, where the spotlight is on audio, here, lighting took centre stage. Adjusting EQ to accommodate unamplified actors emphasised a different approach to sound mixing. While my prior experience with analog mixing at Bobby O'Brien's helped, adapting to a different board brought its own set of lessons.
Event Details:
On February 24th, I worked the sound board at the Hub for a Taylor swift themed drag show. It was very laid back as we were most likely going to just need 2 mics and an auxiliary cord playing through. The setup was very brief, allowing me to meet with the promoter to discuss logistics for the show.
Smart Concept:
The promoter shared fascinating insights into the show's concept. With Taylor Swift currently on a world tour featuring all her released music(Eras), the drag community's admiration for Swift made the fusion of the two worlds a brilliant idea, especially during the slow season.
Technical Challenges:
The night progressed smoothly with playback files, although the second mic began malfunctioning about half an hour in. Given the fast-paced nature of drag performances, I had to wait for a good moment to troubleshoot. Initially, replacing the cord seemed to resolve the issue temporarily, but the problem persisted. Despite the performers' patience wearing thin, I managed to swap out the mic entirely between songs, ultimately resolving the issue.
Reflective Insights:
While being quite a bit different from managing sound for bands or solo artists, this show merged elements of theatre and live music seamlessly. This convergence allowed me to draw from my experiences in both fields, enabling me to adapt naturally to the challenges that arose throughout the event.
THE HUB, DRAG SHOW, FEB 24TH 2024
CHRIS SPEDDING, RT, MARCH 7TH 2024
Event Details:
On March 7th, I had the privilege of setting up and teching for Chris Spedding at the Registry Theatre. It was an unexpected gig for this venue, typically known for more intimate shows. Seeing a full band with two guitars, bass, a fully mic’d kit, and three vocalists gave me the impression that they weren't overly concerned with the venue's acoustics.
Unexpected Discoveries:
As we set up, I began to realize that these musicians were likely more seasoned than I initially thought. Their conversations about tours in distant countries like Japan and Spain hinted at their extensive experience. Despite the analog nature of the soundboard, which wasn't my forte, I tackled setup with confidence. However, a monitor issue during setup tested my troubleshooting skills. Despite my efforts, the problem persisted until a seasoned tech(Cameron) came to the rescue. It turned out someone had inadvertently rewired the board during a previous shift.
Navigating Technical Challenges:
After a successful sound check, we enjoyed a meal together, courtesy of the promoter who treated us to Indian food. The camaraderie and good vibes set a positive tone for the evening. However, just before the show, a buzzing monitor caused a brief disruption. After turning the levels down, I forgot to readjust it after, a mistake quickly rectified by a drummer's signal.
Shared Moments and Mishaps:
Despite minor hiccups, the show proceeded smoothly, and the audience seemed pleased. During the post-show debrief, band members voiced complaints about the venue's acoustics, which I found understandable given its history as a repurposed government building. Surprisingly, the band revealed they were booked by their agent, unaware of the venue's acoustics.
Smooth Performance Despite Obstacles:
As we wrapped up, the producer and his assistant approached me, commending my professionalism amidst technical difficulties. They emphasized the band's extensive experience, having worked with legends like Elton John and Paul McCartney. Their appreciation culminated in a heartfelt handshake and a tip, marking a rewarding moment in my journey. It was gratifying to see my dedication recognized, especially among seasoned industry professionals.
Testing my knowledge.
As per the syllabus, I decided to see how far my knowledge has come by testing my knowledge with a quiz for audio engineers.. This quiz was recommended to me so I gave it a go.
Link: https://grizly.com/quizzes/sound-engineering-quiz-do-you-have-the-ear-to-be-a-live-sound-engineer
As the season for live events dwindled, I pivoted my objectives to other areas of freelance relating to the music industry.
I decided to put myself and my work out on the internet in as many different ways as possible. This website being a central hub in which people can discover my work and open up doors to new opportunities. I also created a fiver page to freelance videogame music perfect for game-jams and other small hobbyist operations. My page featured multiple options for my services and a short demo video.
In addition to this, I applied for jobs teaching piano and percussion to get some teaching experience under my belt. I heard back from Werner Music Studio and ended up securing a position with them. My reason for getting teaching experience was because I have always envisioned teaching composition on DAWs like FL Studios, as I believe it is an untapped market so long as you can convince the parents. I have thought quite a bit about how I might market this, and I came up with the idea of posting ads around the areas which Kiwanis Festival takes place. When I was an active participant of the festival, I always remember feeling absolutely finished with piano after all of my hard work. I thought if other kids feel the same way and would never be able to be convinced to take piano over the summer, maybe they would be more inclined to take something like composition lessons through Digital Audio Workstations.
I designed a sample ad in Adobe Illustrator which could be used for this in theory. But I would have to check with local bylaws along with a host of other contingencies about the plan.
Looking Forward...
^Click to play video^
OUR STORY
Looking Back
I would not believe anyone who told me the about the people I would meet or the things I was going to learn throughout this year. Just a two minute conversation with a Laurier alumni about what seemed like a fun do-it-yourself course completely transformed into probably the most amount of learning that I have done in this amount of time. The biggest takeaway from this course was just how safely I could have played it and how much less I would have grown by doing that. In moments where I was regretting taking on so many new tasks I've come to cherish those moments as it was a sign of me being tested and persevering regardless.
Thanks so much for guiding me throughout this course Barbara! And throughout my undergrad! I genuinely couldn't have asked for a more caring and supportive individual that pushed me into a consistently better direction.
