The Cantrells require a simple P.A. system. If this technical information is confusing, call Al Cantrell and discuss your P.A. system - it's probably fine.

The Cantrells are 2 musicians, standing up and playing into 5 mics: Emily sings and plays guitar, standing to Al's left, Al sings and plays fiddle and mandolin, standing to Emily's right. If there is a piano on stage, Emily might play it on one instrumental tune. A piano is NOT required. The chairs and stool are for holding instruments, water (no ice), etc.

SOUND SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: 

5 mics (2 vocal mics, 3 instrument mics) 

5 boom mic stands or equivalent (see below, "boom stand options") 

2 monitor speakers, preferably sidefill,  at ear level (5'-8" (68") high to top of monitor) 

5 channel microphone mixer (with separate tone controls for each channel) 

Amplifier for 2 main speakers 

Amplifier for monitor speakers, with independent volume control for monitors 

MIC POSITIONS ON STAGE, facing the audience from left to right: 

Emily's vocal mic, Emily's guitar mic, Al's fiddle mic (center stage), Al's vocal mic, Al's mandolin mic. The Cantrells stand while performing. 

The Cantrells usually carry a condenser mic in the fiddle case (Sennheiser ME 40) which at their option they use for the guitar, replacing one of the three instrument mics above. However, the mic cord, boom stand and standard Shure mic clip for this mic must be provided by the presenter. Phantom power should be turned on. 

STAGE SET-UP REQUIREMENTS: 

Minimum stage area: 12' wide x 8' deep. 

4 chairs with no arms (3 to hold Al's instrument cases, 1 to hold water. 2 benches and a stool are o.k.) 

2 glasses or bottles of water with no ice, preferably room temperature. 

STAGE LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS: 

Basic lighting so that stage area can be light while the audience area is dark. White stage lights are fine, the brighter the better. 

MIXING PREFERENCES: 

Leave both the fiddle and mandolin mics on at all times. 

Give the guitar plenty of volume. The Sennheiser condenser mic can be very loud without feedback. Sometimes it needs a little treble added and bass slightly reduced. 

Al's vocal mic: roll off some bass, add some treble 

"SOUND CHECK TIME" MEANS THE TIME THE SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY SET UP AND WORKING: 

Please schedule sound check as follows: PA and lighting should be assembled and working at least one hour before the doors open, so that at least one hour is allowed for sound check. PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL THE CANTRELLS to schedule sound check at (615) 292-1954 

thecantrells at yahoo dot com 

YOU'RE DONE. END OF IMPORTANT STUFF! - UNLESS THE CONCERT IS OUTDOORS, THEN: 

OUTDOOR REQUIREMENTS: 

AC power must be GFCI protected. 

If stage is cement, a rubber pad or rug to stand on would be greatly appreciated. 

The Cantrells need to know in advance if the stage will be in direct sunlight during their performance or soundcheck. 

NOW YOU'RE REALLY DONE! END OF ALL IMPORTANT STUFF! FROME HERE ON ARE "PREFERENCES" and further explanation of the above.

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SOUND SYSTEM / STAGE PREFERENCES: (although the following are preferences, The Cantrells would appreciate advance notice if they are beyond your capacity) 

2 SIDE-FILL monitors, INSTEAD OF FLOOR MONITORS, on speaker stands to raise tops of monitor speakers 5'-8" (68") high*. The Cantrells SOMETIMES travel with their own pair of sidefill monitors.) 

IF YOU HAVE DIFFICULTIES WITH WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR, HERE ARE OPTIONS!: 

SIDE-FILL MONITOR OPTIONS: 

Small PA speakers (with 4" to 12" woofers, such as the ElectroVoice Entertainer speakers or Bose speakers) work fine. The Cantrells own 2 Peavy "Satellite Triflex" PA speakers with 8" woofers; they sometimes carry these if traveling by car, and with advance notice they can usually bring them*. 

BOOM STAND OPTIONS: 

"Gooseneck" mic stands and small clamp-on mic holders or straight stands can take the place of boom stands, as follows: guitar and mandolin mics can be on clip-on holders or straight stands. Gooseneck mic stands for fiddle and Al's vocal must be 18". If you have only one boom stand, put it on the fiddle mic. 

STAGE SIZE OPTIONS: 

Smaller stages can be used by putting the monitors or mic stands on the floor rather than on the stage, if the stage isn't very high. 

*Why side-fill monitors instead of floor monitors?: 

Many acoustic musicians use contact pickups on their instruments to hear themselves and avoid feedback. The Cantrells prefer the sound of mics. Arranging in advance for side-fill monitors takes the place of dealing with D.I. boxes and outboard equipment racks during stage set-up. 

VERY HIGH QUALITY floor monitors are adequate, but small, raised side-fill monitors have advantages: (1) monitor volume can be lower so the house sound is clearer; (2)there is less feedback because monitors at ear-level are closer to the vocal mics than the hotter, more sensitive instrument mics. 

IF THERE IS NO SOUND PERSON: 

The Cantrells prefer that there be a sound person present during the performance. IF THERE IS NO SOUND PERSON, then the mixing board should be positioned on stage, to the right of Al's mandolin mic so Al can reach the controls easily during the performance. 

IF THE CANTRELLS ARE SETTING UP THE PA SYSTEM, then they will need to start TWO hours before the doors open. 

THE MOST COMMON AREAS OF CONFUSION: 

1. These technical requirements are not complicated and shouldn't require a great expense. Call or email Al Cantrell before you spend extra money for equipment rental. The Cantrells might be able to bring whatever you don't have already. 

2. "Sound check time" is when everything is plugged in and working, not when the PA arrives to be unloaded! 

3. Only 2 monitor speakers are needed, not 4. Side fill monitors are preferred INSTEAD of floor monitors, not in addition. 

4. 2 monitors are REQUIRED, no matter how small the room. One isn't enough. 

5. The condenser mic on the guitar isn't going to cause extra feedback. The Cantrells use the Sennheiser ME 40 because it is able to be louder than dynamic mics without feedback. 

6. Some of the above are described as PREFERENCES rather than REQUIREMENTS, but The Cantrells would like to be notified in advance which preferences will not be provided. 

Any questions? Call or email Al Cantrell: (615)292-1954  or their cell number is on the contract.  email at:  thecantrells at yahoo dot com