Sound designer, Alan Chang recently described his first experience using Point Source Audio‘s SERIES8 earset microphones.
Chang was retained as live sound engineer for the world-premiere of “SEVEN” a one-time-only theatrical reading staged in recognition of International Women’s Month in February, sponsored by the National Council of Jewish Women Sacramento Section at the Congregation B’nai Israel. SEVEN tells the true stories of remarkable women and their extraordinary achievements. The occasion featured playwrights telling inspirational stories through the words of the seven heroes.
Chang, principal of Coral Canopy, based in San Francisco, is a multimedia production house that covers film, television, concert, theater, orchestra, and chorale sound design and system integration. Chang said his first experience using the hi-performance miniature SERIES8 earworn microphones was a “eureka” moment that will “forever stand out in my mind.”
Chang’s sixteen-year career spans overseeing technical and creative direction for everything from TEDx events to the experiential NASA “Ground Control: An Opera in Space”, a world-premiere consisting of a 3-month musical and orchestral process by the International Space Orchestra that culminated in the kick off in 2012 of the ZERO1 Biennial and the recording of an album at Skywalker Sound.
Chang explained that the Point Source earset mics are so tiny they almost disappear. “It’s hard to believe so much technology can be contained in something this miniature”, he said. “Despite the marbled floor and challenging room acoustics, each word and lyric was clearly reproduced for the attendees excited to hear these performers’ every word. We received rave reviews from the audience as well as the performers, unusual in my experience since most folks take sound for granted.”
Chang said he had been hearing good things about the Point Source Audio earset mics and he decided to try them. He had heard how dependable they are for theatrical production — waterproof, makeup resistant, durable, very bendable—and most importantly precise. He especially appreciated the sales support he got from Point Source Audio and their local dealer, CyberLogic, and now considers the team friends.
Chang said, “Because the microphone boom is securely positioned near the mouth, we heard every nuance, from quiet whispers to sudden bursts of shouting. Even during sudden choreographed movement, the SERIES8 microphones performed dependably and seamlessly; every spoken word was coherent.” During the production Chang said he could actually relax; he didn’t have to be super-vigilant guarding against “gain before feedback.” And because he’s now using them consistently for all of his projects, he can attest to how robust they are not just during production but over time. He says, “They’re built to perform—and to last.”