SOUND REINFORCEMENT

All,

A report for February 4, 2014

Minstrel sound system:

Nothing major to report. There are a couple of bent connectors and parts remaining from the toppled speaker last month that need repair.

Relating to the incident last month, recommendations to the sound crews will be made after discussion with the Board about specific wordings.

Sound at the door

The new wireless speaker was purchased and last week debuted at the desk. It functioned as intended, but we learned a few things and will distribute information to the sound dogs for consistent performance from it. First, a surprise. The micrphone barrel is fatter than the standard Shure microphone cradles. Two butterfly clips have been ordered that can accomodate any reasonably sized microphone, which should be here by Friday. We found that the microphone positioned at a height in between the woofer and tweeter on the main speaker, and level to the floor, with the heel of the microphone pointed at the door, gives the best radio reception to the speaker at the desk. With the mic in that position, the speaker can be almost anywhere in the lobby. I showed this position to Jeff Saxton should anyone have questions and I'm not there.

We'll get an exention cord for this speaker as there is no outlet nearby. While the speaker has a rechargeable battery that should last for a few shows, if the unit is never plugged in it won't work for long.

A tool bag from Home Depot was purchased to protect the microphone, the system bits and the upcoming extension cord. The two fit nicely together in one of the storage boxes in the lobby.

On observation: At last week's very crowded show, the desk crew really didn't care about hearing anything and even turned the unit off. The speaker was turned toward the people in the lobby who couldn't get in to the first set, and they seemed to enjoy hearing something.

One-day Nerfa

As will be reported elsewhere,The Northeast Regional Folk Alliance loves the idea of running one of its "One-Day" folk music business conferences here in New Jersey, and the Folk Project is teaming with Sanctuary Concerts to put on the event. The date is Saturday, April 4, 2014. The location will be at the Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township, the location of the Sanctuary Concerts.

What the event needs most from the Folk Project are volunteers, and that remains true for the sound commitee. We'll need sound for two active stages and a couple of work shops, plus possibly an announcement p.a. for the exhibition room. Like a festival, we may need to move some equipment between MUF and PCCT and return it. The specific sound needs will be determined before the March meeting of the Board as by then Nerfa finalizes should finalize its itinerary.

Respectfully submitted, with copy to the sound committee,

Mike Del Vecchio