|
THE CANTRELLS
(The Cantrells require a very simple P.A. system. If this tech sheet seems daunting, call Al
Cantrell and discuss your P.A. system - it's probably fine.)
(2 musicians: Emily sings and plays guitar, Al sings and
plays fiddle and mandolin. If there is a piano on stage, Emily might play it on one instrumental. A piano is NOT required.)
THE CANTRELLS MIGHT USE ONE MIC (THEIR OWN AT4033 CONDENSER MIC) AND NO MONITORS, DEPENDING ON THE ROOM. THEY'VE BEEN
DOING THIS MORE OFTEN RECENTLY, BUT 5 MICS AND MONITORS IS STILL THE "DEFAULT" SETUP.
SOUND SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
5
mics (2 vocal mics, 3 instruments mics)
5 boom mic stands or equivalent (see below, "boom stand options")
2 monitor
speakers, preferably on stands at ear level
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 (Sennheiser ME 40) which at their option they use for the guitar, taking the place of one of the three instrument mics
above. 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.
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 high
end added.
Al's vocal mic: roll off some bass, add some treble
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.
END OF IMPORTANT STUFF! The following are "preferences", and a more in-depth explanation of
the stage set-up.
SOUND SYSTEM PREFERENCES:
2 "SIDE-FILL" monitors, INSTEAD OF FLOOR MONITORS, on speaker stands to raise tops of monitor speakers
5'-8" (68") high*. The Cantrells often travel with a pair like this.)
LIGHTING PREFERENCES:
Basic lighting so
that stage area can be light while the audience area is dark. White stage lights are fine, the brighter the better.
SOUND
CHECK PREFERENCES:
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 (800) FIDDLIN (343-3546). thecantrells@yahoo.com
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 thecantrells@yahoo.com
|
