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Coloring & Crap
The individual known as Tucker has a weighty topic here, and he may
not like my answer! Luckily, since no one knows where I live, he can’t
come over and toilet paper my house! Also, sound brother Harris G. has
a very good question, although it is tough to answer.
Dear OSM,
TUCKER TUCKER BO BUCKER, BANANA FANNA FO …
SORRY, MATE!
Recently I was instructing some newbie intern on the proper use of
compression on vocals.
SO YOU’RE THE KING OF ROCK!
I ALWAYS WONDERED WHO WAS!
During the lesson I ask him if he knew whether the channel insert
was pre or post eq. The chief engineer, who was eavesdropping from his
office, knew where I was going, jumped in and said the insert was pre-eq
and that that was a fault in the console design.
CHECK OUT BIG MISTER KNOWS WHAT’S BEST FOR THE REST OF US!
It is his belief that compression before Eq was as bad as drinking
chunky milk! I, on the other hand, feel equally strong that pre eq compression
is more desirable.
YOU GUYS SHOULD POST ON THE LAB. YOU WOULD FIT RIGHT IN OVER THERE!
IT’S SIX OF ONE!
NO, IT’S A HALF DOZEN OF THE OTHER!
It has been my experience that post eq compression makes the compressor
frequency dependent. In other words the compressor tends to trigger
on boosted frequencies and be non responsive on cut frequencies.
YOU MUST BE REALLY BOOSTING AND CUTTING SOME FREQUENCIES PRETTY RADICALLY,
FOR THAT TO BE TRUE.
EASE UP, TUCKER!
I prefer to color the compressed sound rather color the compressor.
Any opinion you could render on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Tucker
IT’S A FREE COUNTRY, SO YOU CAN BELIEVE WHATEVER YOU WANT TO BELIEVE.
YOUR REASONING SEEMS TORTUOUS TO ME, BUT THAT’S JUST ME. PERHAPS
I’M NOT AS SOPHISTICATED A PERSON AS YOU AND YOUR CHIEF ENGINEER.
I PREFER A MORE STRAIGHTFORWARD QUESTION, LIKE OUR NEXT CONTESTANT …
Hello Mr Old Soundman.
HELLO HARRIS G.
I work for a sound company. I'm 10 years in the business.
NICE.
My question is: Why do FOH engineers provide such a crap sound to
the bands and the people? (8 out of 10 times from my experience)
WELL, HARRIS G., THAT IS QUITE A TOPIC.
I DON’T KNOW IF I WOULD GO SO FAR AS TO AGREE WITH YOUR 80% FIGURE,
BUT I DO EXPERIENCE QUITE A BIT OF PAINFUL HAM-HANDEDNESS WHEN I VENTURE
FORTH TO CHECK OUT SHOWS THESE DAYS.
I HAVE MENTIONED BEFORE THAT TODAY’S YOUTH GROW UP WITH A LOUDER
AMBIENT DECIBEL LEVEL IN GENERAL, THAN I DID IN MY TIME.
THEY NEVER HUDDLED OVER AN ANALOG TABLE RADIO TRYING TO TUNE IN THE
GRAND OLE OPRY!
THEY NEVER LABORIOUSLY MADE MIX TAPES ON CASSETTE DECKS. YOU’D
SIT THERE HOLDING YOUR BREATH, KEEPING YOUR FINGERS CROSSED, HOPING
THAT THE END OF THE LAST SONG WOULD FIT INTO THAT RAPIDLY DIMINISHING
LITTE SPOOL THAT WAS ABOUT TO RUN OUT.
THE SIDEFILLS AT THE AVERAGE ROCK SHOW THESE DAYS ARE AS POWERFUL AS
THE MAINS AT THE SHOWS OF MY YOUTH, AND SOMETIMES LOUDER!
Who lets them get their hands on expensive gear only to destroy our
ears? (and the gear)
LET’S SEE - THE BANDS, THE MANAGERS, THE AGENTS, THE PROMOTERS,
THE SOUND COMPANIES AND THE VERY LAX BEHAVIOR OF LAW ENFORCEMENT NATIONWIDE.
Do they have the looks and the right attitude?
YES.
Is that what's needed after all?
Best wishes
Haris G.
TO A LARGE EXTENT, THIS IS TRUE.
THE ADDED INGREDIENT IS THE ABILITY TO OSCULATE THE ANUS OF THE MONEYBAGS
WHO HIRES THE SOUNDPERSON. PLUS THE TALENT TO IGNORE REALLY IMMATURE
BEHAVIOR ON THE PART OF THE AVERAGE BAND MEMBER.
THE RIGHTEOUS GIGS ARE SO FEW AND FAR BETWEEN.
I HAVE SPENT MANY HOURS PERSONALLY WONDERING ABOUT HOW I COUD HAVE SOMEHOW
LANDED ONE. YOU KNOW, WITH AN ARTIST WHO IS INCREDIBLY MUSICAL, SOCIALLY
CONSCIOUS, AND WILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DECISIONS THEY
MAKE.
BUT THE ALTERNATIVES THAT MANY OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS PURSUE ON A WEEKLY
BASIS, THAT WE SEE AROUND US IN SOCIETY, CAN BE AS HORRIFIC OR MORE
SO THAN ANY OF THE NEUROSES THAT VARIOUS PERFORMERS HAVE PERPETUATED
ON MY BRAIN AND FEELINGS.
IF IT’S MAKING YOU NUTS, MAKE A CHANGE!
LUV –
- THE OLD SOUNDMAN
