Performance evaluation

Evaluation

We were given a time slot of 11:30 to set up for the performance before the band came in, and we managed to complete the set up just in time for the band to come in, it was difficult to do it as there was a violinist that we weren't expecting so we had to figure out the correct microphone to use for that, we ended up using a condenser microphone in order to pick up a more detiled sound whilst recoding, whereas if we used a dynamic mic it wouldn't be as clear. This made us lose time a bit as we were setting up for something that we didn't know how to set up for. If we ended up using a dynamic mic then the recording of the violin probably wouldn't of sounded the greatest, which weouldv'e made the whole recording not sound great, and we probably would be a lot less happy with the way it would've come out. We also thought that the vocal mics were dodgy but then we found out afterwards that the amp wasn't on, which gave away more time. It would've been more efficient to try and look out for these issues before we started to set up as it would've saved a lot more time for us to do a sound check by ourselves and also with the band before we started recording them instead of doing a soundcheck and then rushing to record them. It was important to do this in time however as it gave the band time to set up and change whatever they needed too, ask us questions if needed, and we could also do a soundcheck with them. We made sure that the wires weren't in the way of any walking areas to avoid us and/or the band tripping over, and we also made sure that any cables weren't faulty or broken in order to keep ourselves and the band safe from electric shocks or potential electric fires. We made sure that us and the band only had water, and if there was any food or fizzy drinks near by that it should be put away in order to not cause any potential damage to the instruments, or equipment. We worked well as a team with our own designated roles as we were setting up, we had 2 people in the recording studio sorting out Logic Pro and the Element 88, and we had 2 people setting up the mics, but at first all 4 of us were working on setting up the mics, we could've alternated at times whilst setting up as there were a few times where the recording studio was left unattended when the other 2 would come and help with setting up the mics, so in that situation next time maybe 1 person could stay in the recording studio at all times. We were respectful to the band, with one of the members even saying after he heard his performance back that we were the nicest group he had worked with. We were polite when we asked them to do stuff, and they were polite back to us. I was most happy with how I went in and tried to sort out some problems that we were having with some microphones, and if I found a problem I would tell the people that were working on Logic, for example we had got the inputs wrong for the acoustic guitar, so we had to change that. What didn't go well however is how rushed we were because of how many problems we had whilst setting up for the band, to avoid this next time we can look for problems before we start setting up and we can fix them before we begin doing a soundcheck, like checking if each input is correctly numbered in Logic so all the mics and DI boxes are connected to the recording studio. I don't think we planned this well enough as we were so rushed, I almost felt as if I was moving the fastest I had moved in a while. I was involved in setting up the microphones for the violin and kick, and I was also involved in setting up the DI box for the acoustic guitar. There were others that were tasked with setting up Logic Pro in the recording studio and connecting the live room signal to the Element 88 so the signal could then be recorded in Logic. The others were very effective as without the Element 88 being set up the audio wouldn't be available in Logic, and that would mean that there would be no point in doing this if there was no recording available. 

In conclusion, we should've managed our time a lot better as even though we did get finished setting up and doing the soundcheck before the band came in, we finished everything literally as soon as they came in, which meant we were rushing around to try and get the recording going. We also could've worked a bit better as a group, as there were some moments where the 2 working on logic would come in and help setting up the mics, which meant that nothing was being done in the recording room whilst we were doing that, and there were also some moments where we were just standing around doing nothing at all. Me and someone else that was set with setting the mics up, we could've also helped out with logic a lot more than we did too, we almost just left the other 2 to deal with it which put stress on our time, whereas if we all helped on it then our time would have probably been saved a lot. The recording also could've been done better as we didn't realise the vocal amp wasn't on before we started, and by the time we found out we had already started the recording, so we had to do another take with the amp on after our teacher turned it on mid recording.