Reflecting on the progress that I have currently made, my plan for the live event has not changed, with my production of Laiara Amelie’s EP being the sole purpose for this live performance. This will still be taking place in the Darkroom Bar in LCC, with a possible live show date in mind being Friday April 18th and the set list being two cover songs and five original songs from the EP. I have had a number of studio sessions with the artist, where I tested microphones for the EP recording as well as for the live show to hear how each instrument sounds – testing microphones for vocals, electric guitar and acoustic guitar. I am still wanting to involve the same instruments I had initially planned in the show, being acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, keys, sax and I am possibly thinking of having a trumpet, which the artist has requested.
Having done these microphone tests, I know the main microphones that I want and need to book:SM58 for vocals – this is a mic I know is available to book from orb
- M160 for acoustic guitar – this is not on orb
- DPA 4099 for saxophone – also available on orb
- Possibly DPA 4099 for trumpet – since this microphone is able to be clipped onto a number of different instruments
- However, I am still not certain about the drums, especially since I haven’t tested microphones for drums
I have emailed the Darkroom Bar and technicians about booking my event, stating when it will take place, how long the event will be and what it is I am putting on, but The Darkroom Bar have not gotten back to me yet, so I will have to go there and see the space and what they have available for me to use.
HOW RESEARCH HAS INFORMED PROJECT~
- I went to a jazz bar: Night Tales Loft to see the setup of a live performance from an audience’s perspective, but I am planning to go to more live events to see different genres of music and spaces, so that I can see comparisons and similarities within each venue
- From going to the jazz bar, it has given me an idea of the set up and thought of perhaps having no breaks in between songs, only a transition break whilst musicians get ready for each song
REFLECTIONS: CHALLENGES + SOLUTIONS~
In accordance with my timeline from my first presentation, I am falling behind on the producing side of the EP. However, for my FMP I will need to prioritise the live event, so from now on I will have to focus more on gathering a band of musicians, chasing the Darkroom Bar and figuring out the setup of the show. In addition, I need to be solid on what I will need to prepare in advance, like equipment and mics as well as a rough sketch of the set up, so that on the day, it goes a lot more smoothly. I will also organise band rehearsals so that the band know what they are doing on the day and the set list of the performance. This is all since there will more likely be more technical issues, therefore, it would be better to have everything else clear for the musicians and tech team who will help me set up.
Practicality: I know I won’t be able to finish producing the actual EP fully in time before the hand in, so I will shift my focus away from that.
Musicians: need to be set on who is performing, bringing them into the studio to practise when we have the songs we want to be performed and figure out mic set up for drums, which I find is the hardest as well as figuring out how to mic up the bass guitar.
Team: need to also be set on a team who will help me with the setup, which is most likely: Justin, Theo, Mario and Nico.
Solo progress: need to have another tutorial with Alfie about progress, after talking to the Darkroom Bar: should sketch the space available in the Darkroom for band to perform and understand and familiarise myself with the PA system there.
Additionals to think about:
- Need to ask about how everything can be recorded live – through own laptop ? interface ?
- After presenting to course leader: more about the mic placement rather than the actual microphones themselves since having limited access to microphones
- Will have to do the gig April 16th or 17th since 18th is a bank holiday
