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[Riley Casey]

Posted far and wide across the web by now but its an interesting question. In my locale I've handled audio for plenty of people I disagreed with but felt they should have their say. This case is unique.

https://www.stripes.com/Veterans/2021-06-03/Veteran’s-microphone-cut-off-when-he-discusses-Blacks’-role-in-establishing-Memorial-Day-1628829.html

[Scott Holtzman]

Posted far and wide across the web by now but its an interesting question. In my locale I've handled audio for plenty of people I disagreed with but felt they should have their say. This case is unique.

https://www.stripes.com/Veterans/2021-06-03/Veteran’s-microphone-cut-off-when-he-discusses-Blacks’-role-in-establishing-Memorial-Day-1628829.html

That is right in my back yard, I know who AJ is.  I would not have turned it down and I think the event organizer is in for a world of hurting.


On a fun note here is a pic from the sound guys web site of his "PA system for large crowds" it is interesting.

[Russell Ault]

That is right in my back yard, I know who AJ is.  I would not have turned it down and I think the event organizer is in for a world of hurting. {...}

These are the sorts of things that make me curious, if only academically, about the thought process that led those event organizers to make that particular decision. Did they really have no idea that there would be backlash?

I'm with you, Scott; I also wouldn't have let the client touch my gear. If the organizers want someone to stop talking they can have the individual removed from the lectern.

{...} On a fun note here is a pic from the sound guys web site of his "PA system for large crowds" it is interesting.

That photo is quite small; do you have any information on the rig?

-Russ

[Scott Holtzman]

These are the sorts of things that make me curious, if only academically, about the thought process that led those event organizers to make that particular decision. Did they really have no idea that there would be backlash?

I'm with you, Scott; I also wouldn't have let the client touch my gear. If the organizers want someone to stop talking they can have the individual removed from the lectern.


That photo is quite small; do you have any information on the rig?

-Russ

No sure don't

[Jeff Lelko]

On a fun note here is a pic from the sound guys web site of his "PA system for large crowds" it is interesting.

I hear ya Scott!  When choosing pictures for my own website I give each one the PSW Sanity Check - if it would raise eyebrows here I certainly wouldn't share it much less use it for advertising. 

The only head-scratching photo on my site is the one of me - in the sense of "so that's what this guy looks like..." for those who haven't met me in person!

[Keith Broughton]

Linked page no longer up.
From what I gather, someone made a bad decision!
I am of the mind that killing the mic is not the correct solution.

[Chris Hindle]

Linked page no longer up.
From what I gather, someone made a bad decision!
I am of the mind that killing the mic is not the correct solution.

Keith, don't click on the link. Copy the whole line and paste it to your browser.

https://www.stripes.com/Veterans/2021-06-03/Veteran’s-microphone-cut-off-when-he-discusses-Blacks’-role-in-establishing-Memorial-Day-1628829.html

Chris.

[David Morison]

Linked page no longer up.

Working Link ;-)

[Dave Garoutte]

I guess if they can't hear it, it must not be true.

[Keith Broughton]

Keith, don't click on the link. Copy the whole line and paste it to your browser.

https://www.stripes.com/Veterans/2021-06-03/Veteran’s-microphone-cut-off-when-he-discusses-Blacks’-role-in-establishing-Memorial-Day-1628829.html

Chris.

Thanks Chris.
This link works without copy and paste.
https://www.stripes.com/Veterans/2021-06-03/Veteran%E2%80%99s-microphone-cut-off-when-he-discusses-Blacks%E2%80%99-role-in-establishing-Memorial-Day-1628829.html
I too would have stepped away and let the organizers take the heat.
I was once asked to mute a mic at an AGM where the rules allowed unlimited input from shareholders but one particular person went on and on. I suggested it would not be a good idea but my producer insisted so I cut it.
It did not go well 
Will not do that again.

[Chris Hindle]

I was once asked to mute a mic at an AGM where the rules allowed unlimited input from shareholders but one particular person went on and on. I suggested it would not be a good idea but my producer insisted so I cut it.
It did not go well 
Will not do that again.

At one wedding, falling-down drunk friend of the groom grabbed his mic during the toasts. The laserbeam stare of Bridezilla and Bridezilla's Mom made it quite clear what needed to be done......
At a corporate gig, no way would I cut a mic.  That's what a stage manager is for.....
I did have one CEO grab my talkback, and blast one of the presenters.........
Chris.

[John Fruits]

I did have one CEO grab my talkback, and blast one of the presenters.........
Chris.

Shouldn't the CEO have their own demigod mic?

[Chris Hindle]

Shouldn't the CEO have their own demigod mic?

He had 2. One on stage, and a wireless at his seat.
He came up to me to lay out some changes, heard something he didn't like, grabbed my talkback and said "make this work"
Interesting guy. i got a big tip that day.
Chris.

[Milt Hathaway]

That is right in my back yard, I know who AJ is.  I would not have turned it down and I think the event organizer is in for a world of hurting.

And they were: https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/oh-summit/hudson-american-legion-to-close-permanently-after-cutting-veterans-mic-during-memorial-day-speech

[Spenser Hamilton]

And they were: https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/oh-summit/hudson-american-legion-to-close-permanently-after-cutting-veterans-mic-during-memorial-day-speech

Imagine getting a whole Legion shut down because you decided to inject your own politics into a community event, hope they are proud of themselves.

[Tim McCulloch]

Imagine getting a whole Legion shut down because you decided to inject your own politics into a community event, hope they are proud of themselves.

The fellow resigned, the lady has not (as of yesterday) yet.  The Legion chapter's charter is being revoked by the state-level organization.

All because someone didn't think that the origin story was important because it was about non-white people.  As a profession that delivers the "story telling" of others, this is outrageous.

[Doug Fowler]

The fellow resigned, the lady has not (as of yesterday) yet.  The Legion chapter's charter is being revoked by the state-level organization.

All because someone didn't think that the origin story was important because it was about non-white people.  As a profession that delivers the "story telling" of others, this is outrageous.

Garrison should resign from both the local post and the AL proper, with a meaningful apology.  I don't think the entire Post should be punished.  I'm not sure how Ladies' Aux is chartered but Suchan should also resign from both, local and national. 

They put AJ in a very difficult position requiring a real time decision.  In retrospect I feel he did the right thing.  One question is whether AJ knew the content of the portion to be muted.  And, I wonder who the actual client was? 

[Brian Jojade]

This is a very valid question, and maybe should be something included in contracts that spells out who has the final say on if or when sound should be cut, for whatever reason.

The last thing I'd want is for it to be MY decision.

Unless otherwise directed, PA is rented and whatever you decide to say or perform is up to you.

Realistically, if someone is going off topic for an event, there are 3 options available:

1. Let it happen and do nothing
2. Simply cut the audio to the offending device
3. Have someone personally confront the speaker to get them to stop.

Without a clear plan in place on when and how to implement each scenario, decisions made on the spot could be very difficult to make.

As an audio provider, the only time I'd cut audio is if what they are doing has the direct potential to cause damage to the equipment. Never based on the content itself.

I have done work for events where there are mics in the audience and the producer is my direct contact that has the authority to tell me to cut audio.  In those cases, the point of contact with that authority is very specific.  Since I don't know the potential chain of command, it doesn't matter if the producer's boss wants me to cut audio.  If the producer says let it go, that's who I am to respond to.  Luckily, I've never had to test THAT potential problem...

[ProSoundWeb Community]