[ddots-l] Using new Technology On Stage Such As The Zoom H4n
- From: "Phil Muir" <info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 22 May 2010 14:30:11 +0100
Steve wrote: Hi Nick,
A great example of the old technology sometimes being better and faster.
I performed last Weekend at an event where the other artistes were using MP3
tracks on memory sticks.
When I arrived their computer and sound system was already set up.
I started to set up my sound system, piano and my box of tricks that
includes, mini disc player, mixer, effects units and hidden in the mixer box
a Walkman cassette player.
I'd just finished setting up when one of the guys came over and said, "Have
you got any background music as we are having problems with noise coming off
our sound card.
Phil replied: that's why when using a laptop on stage, I wouldn't personally
use it's sound card. If you're going to use a laptop on stage then, you
should use a professional sound card such as the Focusright Pro 24.
Steve wrote: I simply hit play on the walkman and sound filled the room.
Phil replied: I use an MP3 player for background music as the sound isn't so
critical.
Steve wrote: Finally once the Laptop was working the first performer came on
to the stage, they just stood there whilst the guy working the laptop tried
to find the first track to be played.
This awkward pause whilst tracks were found became part of the proceedings,
at least until my spot.
Phil replied: using a laptop isn't a bad idea as you can set-up playlists in
applications such as Winamp. On the other hand, I have on very rare
occasions, had slight issues locating the next track, smile though not all
the way through a performance.
Steve wrote: I hit play on my mini disc and my show was floorless.
Phil replied: I don't doubt it.
Steve wrote: I don't know enough about mini disc specifications of sample
quality against
MP3 quality but, I'm sure I had a richer sound.
Phil replied: if the good people who were using MP3 were using higher
bitrates such as 192KBPS then, it's possible to achieve pretty good sound.
On the other hand, it's likely that the converters sounded better in your
Minidisk as I think your using a professional machine.
Steve wrote: I don't think I'll be using a laptop live for many years.
Phil replied: I am not using one now here either. Using the ZoomH4N with
16bit 44.1 wave files mixed straight off the PC which, sound better than
Minidisk or, MP3. I may even put those up to 24bit at some point but as
yet, haven't had the time. BTW, am getting a mic stand adapter for the
ZoomH4n later on this week. Will let you know how that works out for me.
Regards, Phil Muir
Accessibility Training
Telephone: US (615) 713-2021
UK +44-1747-821-794
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