Monitor Individual Mic Channels

[John Livings]

Hi Greg,

Of Course (Just Kidding) I have Lots of help.

I teach a Multi Media Production Class for our local school district, an enrichment class, And I ask for student volunteers. The multi Media Classes and the Theater Classes are held at the same Schools.

All 4 cameras are hooked up to a rack mounted 19″ focus monitor(LCD TV) and I monitor them from the audio table along with the audio. 3 of the cameras are on tripods operated by students or parents. Camera #1(also on a tripod) I operate from my work station, It has a remote pan/tilt and focus/zoom . As I can monitor all of the cameras I send a “runner” to the problem camera with instructions to fix the issue( We tried walkie talkies but they were to disruptive.

I give the signal to roll the cameras and I start the HD-P2 recorder and Camera #1 a couple of minutes before the production starts, After about 1 minute of rolling (we need handles for editing) I have one of the Crew go to the front of the stage and use the clap board to get a spike in the waveform for syncing everything up in post (FCP)

The lighting is handled by the students (we use Mole Richardson Movie lights, they look cool and do the job)

There are a lot of things the students do, they love it, we all have a great time and I always include the Crew (Volunteers) in the slow moving,Rolling, large type, Credits. (along with a FREE Crew T-Shirt)

I always show the Multi Media Class the closing scene from Meryl Streep’s Postcards from the Edge singing Heartbreak Hotel. The second time thru the cameras pull back and show the many extras and crew the studios use. Our class promotes doing anything you can do, You will start as a 1 person production crew. This way when you do have the budget to hire Professionals, You will know whom to choose.

Anyway that is kind of how we Roll

John

[Jordan Wolf]

Ah, that’s better! Okay…let’s see what we can do for ya:

My first recommendation is to look into a different mixer. I understand the need to set up quickly and load-in/-out efficiently, but there are better (and similarly-priced options) out there.

I would look into an Allen & Heath PA series mixer. Full Compass has some good pricing and details if you are interested.

If you were to move to something like this, you would open up rackspaces in the rack you currently use, but would want to look into a road case for the mixer (not a huge one). You could set the mixer on top of the rack you had the old one in. Two racks would be better and more stable, but one can work for a smaller mixer like that.

I’m sure you have concerns about purchasing new gear (budget, etc.), but I really feel like you are limiting the quality of your shows – live AND recorded – by not having gear that is up to the standards you NEED (not just want) it to be and has the features you require.

Hope that helps a little. I just woke up like 20min. ago, so if something isn’t clear, I’ll probably find it later or be reminded by one of you.

Wolf
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[John Livings]

Hi Jordan,

Thanks for the reply, All the responses have been very helpful.

I have used some of that equipment for several years now, and have concentrated on getting the most out of it.

I am now leaning towards a new mixer with some features that improve the sound for Live Shows while allowing me to record more than 1 channel and keep the setup Simple. Maybe even the ProSonus Mixer:)

That would be something I could use for the shows and also back in the studio. (And I could rack it)

Thanks for your thoughts,

John

[Jordan Wolf]

John,

Here is a link to another forum that had a good thread on that board. There’s a good bit of opinion but also a lot of insight and thought from the responses. As always, take with salt:

PSW SR Forums: Presonus StudioLive Mixer

Wolf
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