Alrighty,
Back at it once again this Friday. It was an interesting day. A band I frequently work with had this gig scheduled for quite some time. The scenario was as follows: Festival setting, Center of town, covered gazebo/pavilion, people in all directions. The event was all ages where music played a primary role, but extreme volume was not required. Vendors encircled the center town square so they had to be able to conduct business without yelling.
I advanced with the contracted sound provider to work out logistics of the event. Each day consisted of several bands. The band I was wearing my BE hat for, played last during the day.
Since most of the acts were just 3 or 4 piece, the normal FOH was only a 16 channel console with a couple channels worth of gates/compressors. I quickly surmised this would not cover the needs of this band. They usually require a minimum of 24 channels IF there is a monitor split. When I run Mons from FOH, I run seperate strips for the monitor channels. So with 7 vocal mics, that puts me in dire need of a 32 channel board.
So, after talking to Erich Bucholtz (the contracted provider) we worked out a plan together, to use the GB8 all day. I would show up in the morning and provide the snake and FOH racks/console. He would bring the normal FOH loudspeakers and monitor system.
Here was the set up around 9AM very early on in the day:
We managed a brisk average of 40 degrees during the day. It's quite cool here in Southwestern PA in October.
It's hard to see from here, but the FOH system was 6 Mackie SRM450s posistioned around the stage. People are able to sit pretty much anywhere around gazebo, so covering all angles was important. The picture is decieving... the town square is quite large and has that much room in all four directions plus grassy areas in between. Additionally, on the FOH side where the band was facing, 2 powered Yorkville subs were used to augment the low end. I was at first skeptical, but Erich assured me he had used this system there before and some musicians I know informed me that it was very acceptable given the SPL/crowd/expectations of the promoters.
And it was.
Another shot of this beautiful console:
Through the day 3 bands performed. The first was a country/classic rock band fronted by a talented young female vocalist. The second was a locally renown jazz group. Erich took the reigns on those two bands.
Since there was an abundance of channels, Erich was able to run a few more mics that normal. Additionally, we had 4 effects sends in use. After I did some requested pacthing for Erich, he had the bands sounding pretty sweet in short order. Erich commented that the board was a dream to drive and that the EQ was very responsive. A specific comment I remembered was that other boards he had worked with took a bit of cranking on the EQ knobs to get anything to happen... the GB8 made quick work of things with minimal adjustment. I felt the quality of the signal was completely preserved with the EQing that was done.
Here's the view from our seat during the first performer's set.
At 5PM, it was my turn. After the chaos that ensues during a band changeover at these smallish festivals, the last band got right into it with only a line check on vocals. I never like going in blind like that but it happens enough that I'm used to it.
I was able to navigate the board VERY quickly. With what I thought was a very thin sound for the first 30-45 seconds I had the band dialed in by the end of the first song. Considering this was only the 3rd time using the board, I was surprised how at home I felt. Soundcraft has done an excellent job of color contrasting the knobs and screen printing. It really felt like second nature at this point.
Now let me do a little waffling... I previously complained of a lack of pads. However, while using Erich's AKG D112 on kick nary did I ever notice a clip light. Remember, this last band is a full on rock and roll brass band. We're talking Tower of Power, Chicago, Ides of March, Motown: all powerful music. The musicians really get into it and the GB8 handled the load with ease. I would say, don't worry about the lack of pads. Buy a couple external pads for insurance and you are no worse for the wear.
Next week, weather permitting, we'll have the console outdoors at the Roxbury Band Shell in Johnstown, PA. The challenge here will be running 4 effect mixes and 4 monitor mixes from FOH. I'll provide a set of front fills as well on the matrices.
If any of you are interested in coming out to see this bad boy in action, check out the networking and invitation thread in the Basement. I've put a map and website with information in a post there.
http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/m/153573/15698/0// /6617/#msg_153573
P.S. I have to add. Erich was an absolute dream to work with. Very professional, easy going, and knowledgable. He made my day and the bands' a great one. Kudos Erich if you are out there reading this, and to anyone that knows him tell him you read that here!