Safe Work Practice for performance

Safe Work Practices for performance 

Introduction: 

First of all when having a live show or some kind of performance which involves people as actors to be on stage, health and safety should not be missed out, especial if you have audience in the Theater itself. 

Usually any type of theater has safety signs so as to be followed in case of an emergency occurs. For those who never been into the Manoel Theatre one should know that the building is surrounded with health and safety regulations and with signs to give people idea of where they should go if something unexpected occurs. 

Safety is an important key, if no one one yet heard, on friday 23, December a local Maltese Panto acotr was injured during his show at the Manoel theatre, due to lack of safety importance. The News can be found below from the Times of Malta site;

    

These are normal health and safety signs. Their is more than 100 signs, but these can also be found in an open theatre for example the Isle of MTV, Malta, or even inside a  theatre as also ready said before.  For example the First Aid sign is their so as to give any one an idea of where they can get the first aid in case of someone gets injured, The fire extinguisher sign is their in case of props, or the building itself is on fire. 

____________________________________________________________________________________

When organizing a concert one should take also these points seriously; 

Before filling the crowd into the the venue/area make sure to be well prepared for others guests who are not invited or decides to come at the last minute, because research has said that most concert accidents happen due to over crowding. Security are also important so as to be ready for any unusual situations. For example on November 2015 in Paris a Terrorist attack was held in the Bataclan Theatre and unfortunately lives were lost that day, therefore if their was security around the whole building these attack might have not occurred inside the building. 

Sound an particularity volume is obviously a huge  consideration at any music event. High sound levels can present a risk to the audience. This is both because of the effect high volume may have on hearing and because of the high levels of vibration. It is a requirement of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (3), Both employers and event organizers should protect both their workers and audience from noise and vibrations.  This is why sound should be monitored and also sound check should be taken important. 

Ear Plug;

Sometimes when going to a big concert, ear plugs should be worn especially if you are going to be in front of the stage. To make this easier the organizers itself sometimes give free earplugs to the audience once they come into the venue/area. 

Rigging;  These are also to be taken seriously, rigging are sued to hold lights above audience, this is why apart from being hanged by the G clamp they are also tighten with a another safety chain just in case the G clamp un-attached 

This video below is an example of a stage collapsing down during an open concert, due to high wind;

Special Effect; 

A variety of special effects can be found in performing arts productions. The list is extensive and includes, but is not limited to, atmospheric smoke, fog, and haze, strobe lighting, pits; trap doors, changes in elevation and so on. Special effects pose hazards that increase the risk of personal injury and property damage; therefore, the use of designated special effects may need to be reviewed and approved. 

Atmospheric Smoke, Fog, and Haze Smoke;  

Fog or haze is composed of liquid droplets. Smoke is produced using pyrotechnic materials, such as white or color smoke cartridges, or other flammable substances. The use of the equipment to produce these special effects can result in operator injury from chemical exposure, fire, or explosive discharge. 

It is also important to have emergency control on schedule, such as Ambulance, Police and Fire Rescue just in case something occurs unexpectedly. 

Digital Audio Work Station (DAW)

Digital Work Station (DAW) Introduction 

The DAW is an electronic device or computer software application for recording, editing and producing audio files such as songs, music piece, human speech  or even sound effects.  DAW can come either just in a CD or can be purchased online and download onto your laptop or computer, or you can can buy a proper equipment usually looks like a piano or some kind of keyboard with never ending keys. These are usually used for production and recording music, radio, television, and so much more, although one if he wants to can use it for his personal hobby. 

The image below is an example of Desk Audio Work Station, which in our case we will not be discussing about this since the title is about the Digital use, The image below is of a professional use so obviously it doesn't mean that do have a desk audio work station you need something like this, these are used by the most professional artists in the world.

Nowadays there are digital software to have everything similar to what these keyboards all do, there are people who still make small desk but they do not need to have any large tables to have these keyboards placed on since the software gives you the access to everything, which the benefit of the software is that one you won't be needing to worry about cable and wire system and therefore everything will be neat,  and since its an application on your computer or laptop you can take it whenever you want.


This video below is a commercial of a Digital audio software application which can be bought from Image line FL Studio, which gives you the access to do everything on your computer.  Enjoy :)

Digital Audio Work Station

The advantages of using DAW are; 

The Capability to handle longer sound files,  Hard Dsk recoridng is limited only by the size of the hard disk itself, commonly one minute of stereo recording at 44.1kHz occupies 10.5 MB of hard disk memory or 5MB/track minute. 

Random Access Editing: One can access the audio software anytime anywhere. 

Nondestructive Editing:  this allows audio segments to be places in any order, manipulated in any fashion without changing the original recorded sound fine in anyway. 

                                                           _______________________

Types of Digital Audio Workstation Software;

Magix Acid: $99.95 (PRO Version)

This was launched in 1998, its automatic audio time stretching and pitch shifting marked Acid out as revolutionary.

Tracktion Software Corporation Tracktion: $60 (PC/MAC)

This was developed by UK deisgner Julian Storer.

Apple Logic Pro $150/$200 (MAC)

This is one of the Mac professional studio software, The one Which will be using in our class or one similar to this one using a Mac software



                                                 _______________________________


SoundonSound describes the DAW and its evolution, which can be found on this site, these are print screen from the site itself  http://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/evolving-daws

There are many free DAW software's on the internet which can be downloaded for free, such as

1. Mu.Lab 
2. Tracktion 4
3. Audacity 
4. Pre Sonus Studion one 3 Prime
5. Arduor 
6. Soundtrap 
7. Rosegarden 
8. LMMS and much more. 

This is the one which we will be using in our class, the Pro Tools 11, which is a mac software.

The Video below is a more depth detail about the DAW software and what one can do, such as mixing, merging music, editing, recording and so much more. 

Audio Connectors

Audio Connectors 

When one buys a new TV, with DVD player, gaming systems, cable or setalite box along with the sound system, one should not forget to connect them all together.  Basically connectors is coming from the word connection,  therefore when you want to connect everything together you need to do the connection. For example if you buy set of new speakers to your laptop you either use them with Bluetooth or by the use of the connection, a cable coming out from the speaker and going directly to your laptop. 

Basically these cables with plugs and sockets, which are used for sound to be generated either at your home, or public in a concert, Theaters , and much more. These wire connectors can be either analog or digital.  

Cables can be either Mono or Stereo: Mono means its sending on one signal while stereo means its sending two signals,  the difference between these two jacks is that the stereo one have two lines strips while the mono jack has only one line strip. 

Types of Audio Connectors:

Digital Coaxial Cable connector

These are orange color cable, and when you hook up your audio from your set up box such as DVD player, you will notice that the back the out output is orange, which can be labeled SPDIF, These give great audio sound up to 7.1 sound.

The Optical Cable connector 

This output on the back of the set top box, These have small beams which switch on red light, so as to show you that this is being used. These also give you great audio up to 7.1 sound

The XLR Cable connector 

This is the second most common cable used, sometimes its also called the microphone cable, which got three little pins on the male side, and three slots of the female side,  These are what some microphones are connected with, while the other side will be plugged into your mixer, Fact is that XLR cables are also used for light design sometimes, 

The Mini Jack Cable connector

Which is the most familiar cable, basically this is just a headphone jack, such as the one you use for your phone, iPod, mp3 player and so on. Therefore this mini jack is also stereo cable because you are hearing the input signals.  

The RCA Connector

These are very familiar with people, because the TV's set and video recorder box, used to come with these cables,  The RCA cable is usually in these three colors one yellow, one white and one red. These are also called Phono connectors, used to carry audio and video signals. Usually these are inserted depending the color of the female jack connector. These type of connectors are also know for its unbalanced connector. 

MIDI Cable:

This is usually seen on a back of equipment, these are a 5 pin connector that gives digital signal, for example to have a guitar effect . 

Where to buy these Audio Connectors:

Amazon is one of the safest site, and somehow I always related product from Amazon, 

the prices of these cables may vary from $2 dollars on wards. 

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_3_16?url=search-alias%3Dmi&field-keywords=audio+connectors&sprefix=audio+connectors%2Caps%2C276&crid=2COLTSP75KSZ9

 

In this video above you can find more information related to the Balnced Vs. Unbalanced Cables and how to reduce any unwanted noise. 

Monitoring System Part 2

The modern monitoring system:  In-ear monitoring: 

As already said before in part 1, when performing play its not easy to hear yourself play or singing,  so traditionally musicians and performers uses what so called wedges or floor monitoring to hear what they are doing, but these also bring some negative things with them.  This is why nowadays musicians and singers uses the ear monitoring systems, these are basically just earphones worn by the performer.

















































The benefits of using these are;

• the mix is being sent directly in to your ears,  so the singer is able to hear themselves more clearer with out any interference of any stage noise. 
• You can also adjust the volume according to your preferences. 
• with the use of the in ear monitors, you are likely to remove any feedback noise since the wedges are no longer on the stage, which shows a better professionalism. 
•  The singer has more space to move on the stage 

The New Monitoring System includes;

• Rack mount transmitter 
• Body pack receiver 
• Set of ear phones 

Each receiver can only receive audio from one transmitter, but one transmitter can broadcast to multiple receiver packs letting to few more listeners to listen to the sound.  The Transmitters are placed on a rack on a side of the stage next to the mixer (the mixer is used to mix and send the audio feeds into the transmitter). The Small body pack receivers are usually supposed to be worn on the belt,  and simply all you need to do is plug in your earphones and put them into your ears. these type of earphones are capable of reducing the background noise to 37 DB which results in much clear sound for you, 

PSM systems have three operational modes which are; stereo mode, mono mode or mixed mode.



In Stereo mode a stereo mix is created by the monitor engineer,  the left and right signal are fed into the transmitter which than transmits into your body pack. The mono mode on the the other hand is equally  played into both ears.





In Mix Mode; The performer can control his own volume, the mix mode allows you to hear both inputs in both ears, But you can adjust to which input you prefer to hear.


Due to Technology nowadays one can also customize his own IEM, to his preference; the website have various of colors, shapes, deigns and sizes according to one preferences.

 https://www.westone.com/custom_iem_designer/index.php

These are example of designed headphones; 

This websites gives you the opportunity to buy your preferred earphone;
http://www.headphones.sg/




This blog from Shure gives you more idea why in ear monitoring  systems are better than Wedges.

http://blog.shure.com/10-reasons-why-in-ear-monitors-are-better-than-wedges/

Monitoring Systems Part 1 - Floor monitors

First monitoring system is a method which has been used by many performers trough out the years, basically this was done so the performer singing live in font of the audience, can listen to himself so as to monitor himself.  Until 2010 these were just loudspeakers placed on a stage directed toward the performer (often called floor monitors or wedges), although nowadays we have modern and better equipment which I will discuss later on. 

The wedge shape angles the sound upwards from floor level to the musicians ears. typcially a wedge would contain a 12 -inch (30cm) or 15-inch (38cm) low freqeuncy drive unit and a once inch (25mm) compression driver with horn, a classic example being the martin audio LE400C. 

In my opinion the disadvantages of these equipment is that 1, its heavy, 2, the wires can be seriously dangerous for the performer, if they trap themselves in it, which is lack of health and safety and some times when the performer moves closer to the equipment a feedback noise is heard since the microphone get closer to the floor monitor. The last thing is that it takes ages to set up all this equipment. 

Common System:

Stage monitors mixed from FOH is the most common type of monitoring system you will encounter. This system uses a couple of mixes on the FOH mixer. These auxiliary mixes are generally pre input equalization and pre-fader, so modifying FOH level does not change the sound heard by the performers. The auxiliary mixes have their own equalizers and signal processors which drive monitor amplifiers which in turn power the monitor system's speaker. 

Stage Wedges:

a stage wedges speaker is probably the most commonly used speaker for stage monitoring. think of a regular speaker cabinet which the back cut off in a slant to point the speaker upwards when places on a stage floor. the angle and placement of a wedge is to reject the sound upwards to the musicians, improving his sound reception and to create an unobstructed view of the stage for audience.

Side Fill:

side fill speakers are typically large, full range speakers that are located at the sides of the stage. they allow performers to hear a better balanced and more enveloping sound to get an excellent idea of the mix of the entire band.  sidle fills are never used in isolation, as performers need to hear their own sounds so wedge speakers are still placed in front of the singers. 

Drum Monitors:

drum monitors are typically a little larger to include monitoring of the kick drum and larger toms. they also need to be directed to a person seated at the drum set. they can vary considerably and they are usually a combination of small mains speaker or wedge monitor and sub woofers. they can also be a single, taller dual 15 inch main speaker, providing both low end output for the kick drum and full range vocal output.

This video below is a Monitor sound check from Youtube