Sound Reinforcement

It's been a productive month. Greg More picked up the retired Sanctuary console from Dave's Sound, which he delivered in time to be installed for use at the Special Concert with Comas. Mike Agranoff went to MUF this past weekend to address other odds and ends, to bring up one of the old cables from the basement to replace No.4 on the reels until the new one arrives, which should be this week in time for Friday's show. He ordered two thumb screws from McMaster for those on telescoping mic stands that had become stripped. I also ordered thumb screws from a K&M parts distributor (brand name of most of our mic stands), carriage bolts and washers to get the rest of the needed mic-stand repairs completed in time for Friday's show. One area of weakening performance is our stage snake. It's got enough that could stand replacement to justify purchasing a new one, but with the new MUF sound system on the horizon we've been waiting to save the expense. Meanwhile, one of our most vintage Shure SM58 microphones is no longer working, so that's the list to be replaced, about $100.

Since it now appears that The Minstrel will be using the Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township (PCCT) this summer and possibly into the fall season while MUF is doing some construction, we'll move the retired Sanctuary console over to old Sanctuary console box so that any member of the Sound Squad can use it there. No dates are yet firm for the move, but the transfer of equipment requires only a matter of minutes and drive time. The original Minstrel console will be reinstalled in the Minstrel box. The connections and operations are nearly identical at the two locations and instructions will be available. Other than the move of the console, and possibly the monitors, the move will be simple and the soundies will be easily versed on the two locations.

Mix-Master training sessions

These Open Stage training sessions are going very well. At the March 11th open stage, Alicia Weimer and John Mahon will be on their own, with two trainees signed up.

Permanent MUF Sound

The latest news is that the new MUF sound system installation should begin in two weeks, mid- to late-March. The contract has been let, the delay is purely a matter of getting all of the parts and equipment in position. I did relay to MUF that we're happy with the sound of the room, currently, and that the remaining issue in the room is the echo between the altar floor and ceiling. MUF said they are considering carpeting the stage area. I suggested that they NOT carpet the stage area, but that carpeting the ceiling above the altar would be a better solution. The hard-deck on the stage is much more practical in that it's easier to clean and be cleaned, it's easier to move items around such as lecturns, tables and pianos, and it gives more stability to items such as mic and music stands. We should have more to report on the new system, and the training thereon, at the next meeting.

Mike Del Vecchio, chair