Abdul EQ: How cold was it there in Utah, and what methods did you use to survive, or were you in a deluxe heated enclosed mix position?

David Morgan: We were in bitter cold for the 1st week. Gradually we made improvements that got us up to about 50 degrees in the afternoon. It litereally all went out the window when we had to open our "luxury heated enclosure" to hear the show.

Another Dave: Whose bright idea was to have shows outside, at night, in February, in Utah? "Hey...ya think it will be cold?"

David Morgan: Ask NBC... it seemed like a questionable idea.

Grampa: Did the altitude in Salt Lake City affect you or your crew, or performers for that matter?

David Morgan: Hi Grampa. The cold affected singing and playing. It also affected the energy level of the crowd. Some nights were just brutal. The dryness at that altitude in winter also had an adverse effect on singers.

Ryan Wilson: How about wireless. I see the Shure UHF series used on tour all the time, do you use or prefer any others?

David Morgan: Hi Ryan. I have a long standing relationship with Shure that has worked out well for many years. I also think they make the best sounding RF handheld. I use a Beta 87C capsule on Bette Midler. I use a Beta 58A capsule on Lionel Richie.

Rocker Rhonda: Michael McDonald - what a voice! What mic and processing did you use for him? Does he give you a strong level at the mic?

David Morgan: I mixed the Doobies in '79 and '82. I loved hearing him sing every night. In 1978 when I was the A-1 Audio crew chief, Michael sang into an MD409. The next year, we swithed to all AKG mics on the vocals.

We used 451s with CK-5 heads. In '82, we switched to Shures. And yes, Rhonda, Michael has a very strong voice but his dynamcs are also very wide. There were times when he barely whispered.

Another Dave: Are there any "sleeper" mics we need to know about?

David Morgan: My new favorites are the Shure KSM series. I also like some of the Soundelux mics. The U-195 and the 251 are amazing.

Chris Kathman: I am not familiar with Soundelux, could you please elaborate on that - those are condensers?

David Morgan: Soundeleux is a post house here in LA. They started marketing their own mics a couple of years ago. I used the U-195 on the last Paul Simon tour. We used it as a single mic on a 4 man group vocal on "Loves Me Like A Rock". Wide cardioid pattern. Sounds good from 2 feet away. Very EQ-able.

Another Dave: Has there ever been a live stage without an SM-57 on it? Or is it the law?

David Morgan: Dave... it's the law. Actually, I have gotten away from 57’s the last few years. I use a pair of Beta 56’s on most snares now. I use SM7’s quite often on guitar amps. And I like Beta 57A’s for female background vocals.

I still use a 57 on deep-tuned snares, though. I used a 57 on top and a Beyer 201 on the bottom for years.

Chris Kathman: Ever try a 98 for under snare?

David Morgan: I haven't tried a 98 under. We used to use 451’s with -20dB pads in the old days.

chuck from MD: I know you mixed some Mick Jagger shows - pretty straightforward, band and input wise?

David Morgan: So much fun! It was very straight forward. We just wanted to blow every one's socks off. Mick’s last CD was outstanding. The 2 guitar players, Stevie Salas and Nick Lashley, just smoked.

Chris Kathman: I wondered whatever happened to Stevie Salas.

David Morgan: Ian Thomas and Phil Spalding were drums and bass. Matt Clifford on keys. Bernard Fowler on vocals. It was a great band. I wish the tour had not been cancelled. At 53, I still like to rock out.

Chris Kathman: Was that related to 9/11?

David Morgan: Yes Chris, it was related to 9/11. It's good to see the business coming back, though.

chuck from MD: How about Steely Dan? Are you expected to make it sound just like the records or can you go for it?

David Morgan: Donald, Walter and Roger just kind of turn me loose. If they didn't approve of the direction I take, I am sure I would hear about it immediately. They are a joy to work for. The quality of the performances are impeccable. The band is amazing. They all conspire to make us engineers look good.

Chris Kathman: Yes, great tones from players are always helpful to garner us compliments. When all we did was open up the channel. :-)

David Morgan: I am old enough to know all their older material from the 70s. It helps the mixing be automatic. One sits back and tweaks until it sounds just like Steely Dan. The notes and arrangements may be different, but the songs have to have that Dan sound. It's a combination of electronics and emotion. I really enjoy the shows... not just the mixing.

Chris Kathman: We are about to wrap up here with David ... here is a good question I have heard debated a lot this past year ...

P. Tucci: Old school or new school PA tuning?

David Morgan: Old school. Ears only. If I were doing only installs, or if I had to use a different system every night, I would use the computer. SMAART, SIM and the others are useful tools.
I have the luxury of spending months with the same system. It is more natural for me to tune it by ear.

Sherri: What was the most difficult gig you've ever had, and why?

David Morgan: Barry Manilow in 1980 was very hard, because we had a 50 piece orchestra and a 50 voice choir each night. I was using 2 PM2000’s and 2 submixers (916’s). It was in arenas and sheds doing 1 nighters. I needed better speaker and electronics technology to do the job I wanted to do. The old A-1 VIP PA was taxed every night.

Chris Kathman: (A moment of silence for the VIP cabinets.)

Grampa: I'd like to know what your favorite, and "not so favorite" large indoor venues are.

David Morgan: In the US, I think that the Palace in Auburn Hills is a beautiful venue and sounds very intimate for a cavernous enclosure. On the other hand, Grandpa, need I say more than Rosemont Horizon. Thank god we don't play at the Sportatorium or the Cape Cod Coliseum any more.

YSM: What advice do you have for The Old Soundman?
David Morgan: Botox, I heard , does wonders.

Chris Kathman: Thanks, David, we are going to let you off the hook now!

chat.boy: On behalf of PSW I'd like to thank David Morgan for sharing his experience and time with us.

Chris Kathman: This has been a production of Universal Concept Inc.

chat.boy: The chat was moderated by CK, Chris Kathman

David Morgan: My pleasure, Chris.

Chris Kathman: Please note that our next chat will be June 11th
with Tim Lawrence, currently mixing Usher, and also known for his work with Steve Earle. Buenas noches!

David Morgan: Thank you both very much. I enjoyed my evening as your guest.

Chris Kathman: Thanks again, David, you were a gracious one!

David Morgan: Thanks to all the participants as well... good questions.

Chris Kathman: Good night, all!