[SML] Sound playback for dance

[e-mail frank.wood95]

It all depends depends on what you propose to playback. Some
straightforward stage plays require surprisingly complex effects,
which often demand multiple outputs of multiple tracks.

Some years ago, I did "Death and the Maiden" bu Ariel Dorfmann, on a
big thrust stage. Acts I and II are set in a shack on a beach. You
need constant seawash, two different vehicles arriving, footsteps
approaching the door, an on-stage tape being played back, a loo flush.
Act III is set in the auditorium of a concert hall. Here you need a
string quartet playing out, applause, interval ambience, over which
you have dialogue, tuning noises, and the Schubert quartet to start.

In such a space, you need very many independent outputs, all
independently controllable, and multiple sources. Fortunately, we had
a sound system specifically designed for this sort of thing, although
I had to borrow and extra power amplifier and control.

The trouble with that sort of space is that, for even a degree of
realism, you need speakers located in specific places, multiple
sources, and a complex routing system. Fortunately, our theatre
(Amateur) had three very competent electronics and system engineers
available, and we designed, built, and installed our system. It lasted
us well for several years, but then we got some money and replaced it.
The new system is far less versatile, takes up three times as much
space in the control room, and is far more difficult to drive. The guy
who was in charge of the project was far more interested in PA, with
radio mikes, than in theatre sound effects.

The systems were, and are, wholly analogue. I know of no digital or
computer system which is capable of providing such versatility. It is
the multiple inputs to multiple outputs which is the killer.

On 9 September 2014 16:48, Charlie Richmond via Stagecraft
<stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:
> On 9 September 2014 08:15, Richard Niederberg via Stagecraft
> <stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:
>>
>> The Form Factor of a system using synchronized dual 128Gb SD cards
>> would be both compact and inexpensive.  Charlie? Jerry? Who has built
>> one?
>
>
> There are soooooo many ways to do this now that it's almost ridiculous to
> point to a single recommended solution.  You could literally use any smart
> phone now and no one should be spending any more than $50 for hardware or
> software to do theatre playback these days, which is why we got out of this
> market 15 years ago.
>
> My more specific editorial and commercial comments are:
>
> 1.  Some playback systems have been more than reliable enough that it has
> been completely unnecessary for a 'backup system' for over a decade now,
> although they do tend to not be on the cheap side.
>
> 2.  These days, we recommend Show Cue Systems for this application since it
> is the most mature and reliable one there is in the theatre market now.
>
> I have responded only because my name was invoked - thank you Richard ;-)
>
> Charlie
>
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-- 
Frank Wood