On Location in Morocco, advice needed.

[boojum]

Because I have it and like it I would suggest something form Sound Devices. They are tough, come in 4-track, but only two tracks with pre's, and can be run entirely on the batteries. They can be word-clock linked. The chargers are the usual 90 - 250 volts wall-warts so you should be alright. If worse comes to worse you could charge the SONY style camera LiIon batteries from a 12 volts battery.

Maybe Aaton? Pricey.

[ESL]

Wow - nice gig!
I've unfortunately never been to Morocco but can tell you that you should probably be prepared to record for a long time... Basic instrumentation will be vocals, sintir (plucked 3-string bass instrument), lots of clacky hand percussion (qaraqeb), and drums.

best wishes.

[Matti]

Originally Posted by ESL

Wow - nice gig!
I've unfortunately never been to Morocco but can tell you that you should probably be prepared to record for a long time... Basic instrumentation will be vocals, sintir (plucked 3-string bass instrument), lots of clacky hand percussion (qaraqeb), and drums.

best wishes.

I was there in early 90´ies doing a documentary of the Gnawas.
Be prepared to mains voltages vary from house to house, always check
and have lots of transformers.
The sintir is a wery quiet instrument vs those qaraqeb things.
The sintir player usually also sings the lead while the qaraqeb players
sing in choir . -lead-choir-lead- etc.
It´s a religious thing but if you don´t have to work for picture try
to position the players for a better balance and also
close mike the sintir

Matti

P.S. Really nice and respectable people!
-We recorded one seremony wich lasted 2 nights,
lots to sacrifice and eat ;-)

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by boojum

Because I have it and like it I would suggest something form Sound Devices. They are tough, come in 4-track, but only two tracks with pre's, and can be run entirely on the batteries. They can be word-clock linked. The chargers are the usual 90 - 250 volts wall-warts so you should be alright. If worse comes to worse you could charge the SONY style camera LiIon batteries from a 12 volts battery.

Maybe Aaton? Pricey.

I agree with this - the other alternative will be the new Nagra VI which, hopefully, will start shipping next month. This is 6-channel with 4 mic. pres. (so you get 2 extra channels and 2 extra mic. pres over the SD).

To be honest, I was just about to get the Sound Devices 744, when I heard the new Nagra was coming, and decided to wait. I should get a review sample as soon as it's ready and I'm itching to get my hands on it.

The Aaton Cantor is the dogs b....... (you know what), and is very expensive - but it *is* probably the best there is.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by Dave Slevin

I've been asked to spec up for a job recording some traditional musicians in a village in Morocco. ................

Microphones - if I was doing this (assuming touring in Morocco and recording ethnic music), I would probably take an MS pair of MKH 30/40 and keep it simple.

My alternative choice would be an ORTF pair of the new MKH 8040.

Though - a pair of MKH 20 or MKH 8020 on a Jecklin Disk may give very interesting results in the situation you describe.

Headphones would be HD 25-1 II as these are very efficient (120dB) and would give a good level at lower volume and would maximise battery life).


Oh - and if budget is very tight - a Fostex FR-2 with a couple of the Tamiya batteries and a fast charger (can charge one from a car battery while you are using the other) is a good option.

I use the FR-2 now, but will (most likely) upgrade to the Nagra VI as soon as it comes out.


I hope this helps.

[Factory101]

Originally Posted by boojum

Because I have it and like it I would suggest something form Sound Devices. They are tough, come in 4-track, but only two tracks with pre's, and can be run entirely on the batteries. They can be word-clock linked. The chargers are the usual 90 - 250 volts wall-warts so you should be alright. If worse comes to worse you could charge the SONY style camera LiIon batteries from a 12 volts battery...

+1

[Dave Slevin]

Thanks Guys,
I was kinda thinking about a laptop and Apogee front end. It could be difficult to get my hands on a Nagra or similar. Not sure I could hire one from anywhere I know in Ireland.
Maybe I'll be traveling through London anyway.

So the Laptop's not a good idea?

Anyone know about the mains Voltage there?

[boojum]

Had not thought about laptops. They are good in that they run on 90 - 250 volts but I am not sure they are rugged enough for the job, and might be more susceptible to damage from dust and sand. If you only need two channels, the SD 702 running on a CF card is simple and cheap. Buy it in the US to save duty, but buy with Euros. ;o)

[BudgetMC]

Power varies in Morocco... the country used to be 127V mains (go figure), but is switching over to 220. Do you know where in country you are going to be?

I was in Morocco for a while back in 2004. Great place! Nice folks and first rate eats.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by BudgetMC

Power varies in Morocco... the country used to be 127V mains (go figure), but is switching over to 220.

Really? This is a very strange decision when the whole of Europe is now on 230V

[Karl_Lohninger]

I've been recording sound for 2 movies in Morocco, one in summer last year and another one just wrapped. The one was shot in the north (Tangier), the other on in the south of Morocco (Ouarzazate).
Voltage was pretty much inside the 220 to 230 V where we've been shooting. In small villages though there's some fluctuation to expect - all my equipment was run on big 12V batteries, which were acting as buffers from the mains.
If you're used to use high quality batteries, 9V, AA or such, then bring them with you. One only gets cheap consumer batts over there. Even if it says duracell on them on can't be sure really where they're coming from. Morocco is not a rich country and lots of stuff is knocked off.

The people in Morocco tend to be really sweet. I enjoyed my stays a lot! It is also a very safe country. Food is excellent and for westernes life is cheap there. Don't stay in hotels built for tourists, they're expensive and not that exciting. There are lots of small local hotels.

Car rentals are about 30 euros (40 dollars) a day. Driving is a bit on the wild side though - be careful. Always make way for bigger cars or trucks, seriously.

Train rides are very comfy, if you go overnight take a sleeper car!

Have a nice stay there, you'll love it!

Karl Lohninger

currently in Berlin

[Dave Slevin]

I've been to Morocco before, traveled from Casablanca, to Marrakesh and Essouria. Great Country.
This time it's a village between Tangier and Fez, doesn't really narrow it down does it?

The Producer has been there a few times.

I haven't really decided on a full kit spec. I basically spec'd what I thought I might need, and sent in the quote. I have a fair bit of experience with remote studio stuff but I've a feeling this couls be outside. It'll give me a budget and then I can see what's available.
I met plenty of musicians there the last time and was thinking about going back with some gear, so to get an offer like this is unreal. Anyway I guess if there's lots of musicians, there's bound to be a few engineers knocking around too!

I'll post the spec soon and maybe you could help.

[boojum]

I am sure that I am not the only person on this board who is interested in this story as it unfolds. And I would love to be part of the trip, too. Keep us posted.

[Dange]

Originally Posted by John Willett

Really? This is a very strange decision when the whole of Europe is now on 230V

An electrician told me that the UK we have 240v, other places in Europe it's 220v. The 230v is an 'average'.................... How true that is I don't know!

My tips for Morocco would be not to drink the water and if you are on the Atlantic coast take a surfboard!

[Matti]

Electricity around the world: everything about plugs, sockets, voltages, converters, etc.
Whole Europe is 230v from years ago

Matti

[Dange]

Originally Posted by MATTI

Electricity around the world: everything about plugs, sockets, voltages, converters, etc.
Whole Europe is 230v from years ago

Matti

That table states that the UK is 230v, I've just proved that wrong with my multimeter, it gives 243.5v............................yes I really am that bored today

Anyway back to Morocco...........

[Matti]

Early 90´ies Morocco was both 220 and 120, we carried transformers
with us and still I burned one power supply by forgetting.
We were mainly in Casablanca and Marracesh.
The older parts of the towns were obviously more likely 120

Matti

[Dave Slevin]

More news coming soon!
Would anyone be interested in coming along? End of July?

[d_fu]

Originally Posted by Dave Slevin

Would anyone be interested in coming along? End of July?

Sure... Got some more details?

How are you going to get all the gear shipped? It's probably a bit much for check-in baggage, is it not?

Daniel

[Dave Slevin]

Well the dates have been finalised so I guess it’s pretty safe to let people know about the recording we’re planning to make in Morocco. The end of July will see myself and hopefully some others in the village of Joujuka in Ahl Srif Mountains (near) Ksar El Kebir in Northern Morocco alongside Frank Rynne with his record producers hat on.

Video and Sound

We’ll be recording a performance by the renowned Master Musicians of Joujuka. Frank has made 3 cds with the group already and has visited the Musicians more than 20 times over the past 12 years. (more actually see below)

Pitchfork: Master Musicians of Joujouka Cavort With Corgan

The main recording will take place on the evening of the 28th where a party will take place celebrateing the 40th annerversary of Brian Jones’ recording of the Group. In order to fund the project and renumerate the musicians for performing and local people for their food and hospitality, invitations to attend the performance and stay in the village that evening, are being offered.

This time we hope to make a multi track recording of the performance using microphones suspended in front of the performance area and above the musicians. Microphone stands are unsuitable because the performers who are usually seated do from time to time dance infront of the stage, as the gig is up to 6 hours long I suppose it’s good to move around now and again!

The gear being brought along will be kept to a minimum, 8 to 10 microphones, cables, some preamps, a laptop and hard drives and 2 pairs of cans. A back up recorder and a UPS would be handy too, I hope our budget and will stretch to that!!!

I’ll follow up on this soon, any comments or suggestions would be welcome or if anyone would like to attend the event please get in touch too.

Dave.

[Remoteness]

I'm we all look forward to your follow ups.

Have an awesome time while you're enjoying the experience!

[Matti]

Sintir is the base of the thing as the only instrument

I had some varying luck with just putting a lavarier type mic
in there. Main mics were hangign over the scene.

Don´t worry, probably the Sintir player sits in his place
but remember it´s a ritual -do not ask for something out
of respect

Matti

[boojum]

I am assuming you are going to suspend mics from the ceiling to get your sound. The fellow who has done this before, Frank, has he the knowledge and assurance this can be done? How has it been done in the past? You could hang a mid-side to do the job and dial in the ratio of reverb to spread later in the studio. Or, go DMS and control a lot of stuff later, and use only three tracks in the field. The reverb and spread are independent in DMS as opposed to linked in MS. Just an idea. I would hang a pair of omni's, too. Maybe in a Jecklin array. Jecklin would be my choice.

How cool are the musicians about hanging mics? Is there current at the site. With a laptop you have a power conditioner and UPS in one. The wall wart handles from about 90 to 250 volts and the laptop will run on batteries if there is an interruption. Has the power been scoped out? How much time do you get to set up and get levels?

In addition to the usual bribes and "commissions" required, transportation and lodging, which I am hoping your buddy, Frank, has assumed reponsibility for, you should just be able to hang mics, find power and tape away.

One big question: how do infidels fare up there in the hills, or any other place in Morocco? The major European language there is going the be French, I guess, from colonial days. German might help, too. Gaelic will not fly, but English might.

Theft is a huge problem. These guys can steal a radio and leave the music. What are you doing to secure your gear? How are you getting it from Eire to Joujouka?

Fill me in. Curious minds want to know.

Cheers

[Dave Slevin]

Hi Matti,
There's no sintir, it's Flutes (lira), then a reedy oboe kind of a thing called a rhiata, drums and vocals. It's Sufi music and music for a festival called Boujeloud which is a half man half beast character, kind of like Pan (pipes of pan and all that).

The musicians usually sit in an L shape at home or in a line on stage with 3 drums at one end. I'm going for 3 over the flute and reed players, usually 6 or 7 of them, they play harmonies and counter rhythms in pairs apparently. And 2 cardioid above the drums a bit closer. Then a stereo pair a bit further back so as to pick up a good mix of all the players and any who decide to stretch their legs. These guys can play for about 6 hours, and it can get very trancy!

I'm hoping to try an hook up with some Gnawa dudes when I'm there too.

Heres what they sound like...
Joujuka myspace

Master Musicians of Joujouka

Thanks for your interest.
Dave

[Dave Slevin]

Originally Posted by boojum

I am assuming you are going to suspend mics from the ceiling to get your sound. The fellow who has done this before, Frank, has he the knowledge and assurance this can be done? How has it been done in the past? You could hang a mid-side to do the job and dial in the ratio of reverb to spread later in the studio. Or, go DMS and control a lot of stuff later, and use only three tracks in the field. The reverb and spread are independent in DMS as opposed to linked in MS. Just an idea. I would hang a pair of omni's, too. Maybe in a Jecklin array. Jecklin would be my choice.

Hey Boojum,
It's on the veranda/porch, where they play all the time, an L shaped affair. We'll be there a day or two before hand and do a few try outs. Gonna hang them on string either from the roof of the house across the veranda, or else we'll stick a post in the ground.
I've managed to get a local company here in Dublin to help me out with mics, so I'm gonna try 3 omnis above the wood wind instruments and spot the drums for a bit more attack and depth with cardioids. Then a pair further back not sure whether to try a Jecklin or ORTF or maybe go really wide. I'll probably play it safe.

Originally Posted by boojum

How cool are the musicians about hanging mics? Is there current at the site. With a laptop you have a power conditioner and UPS in one. The wall wart handles from about 90 to 250 volts and the laptop will run on batteries if there is an interruption. Has the power been scoped out? How much time do you get to set up and get levels?

The musicians will be cool about me having a listen and we'll do a little rehearsal with them. I'm going to try and get there at least the morning of the day before the gig. I'm currently (excuse the pun) looking for a UPS that's light enough to carry with me.

Originally Posted by boojum

In addition to the usual bribes and "commissions" required, transportation and lodging, which I am hoping your buddy, Frank, has assumed reponsibility for, you should just be able to hang mics, find power and tape away.

We are staying with the musicians families. Musicians, families and helpers will all be well paid and taken care of.
I should be able to arrive and just get to work, but we both know that's not gonna happen, though it should be easy enough to sort out.

Originally Posted by boojum

One big question: how do infidels fare up there in the hills, or any other place in Morocco? The major European language there is going the be French, I guess, from colonial days. German might help, too. Gaelic will not fly, but English might.

Morocco's fine, tell people you're Irish and they think you in the IRA anyway so we're all pals!!! I've been there before I'm not too worried. In fact the last time I was there I met a man with a camel called Bob Marley, the camel not the man, I digress...
Main languages are French and Arabic, I speak a little French. Actually my French seems to be better understood in Morocco than France. Frank has passable Arabic.

With my Gaelic I can just about order a beer anyway. ;o)

Originally Posted by boojum

Theft is a huge problem. These guys can steal a radio and leave the music. What are you doing to secure your gear? How are you getting it from Eire to Joujouka?

The guy I'm doing this with is a close friend of the Master Musicians, he's been working with them, recording, tour managing etc. for about 16 years. He was introduced to them by Mohammed Hamri, the painter who worked with the musicians for many years and has family in the village. Hamri (now passed away) is the same guy who brought Burroughs and Brian Jones etc to the village 40 years ago. We are staying with the musicians so I guess well be in good hands.[/QUOTE]

As far as traveling it'll be a matter of getting the mic's, laptop and preamps and interface on as hand luggage. And packing cables, drives, cds, stands, ups, tools and whatever else into a samsonite suitcase and trusting the will of the gods!!! Clothes may be an optional extra. I'll leave myself an extra day in Tangiers incase cables etc get left behind on flight.
Flight goes Dublin to Luton to Tangiers. Then from Tangiers to Kasir El Kebir by train. (trains in morocco are better than those in ireland) From there it's 80km to the village, taxi or lift.
Either that of I make it to my friends brothers house in Marbella in Spain and drive and take ferry across from there. See it's easy (inshalla)!!!!

Jah will provide!!!

[Matti]

For a sound recordist like me the chalence would be
the natural imbalance of the elements to be recorded
The "clabbers" will owerwhealm any vocals etc.
I suggest you try to arrange them differently than usual
as there´s no pix for the production?

Matti

[Dave Slevin]

Anyone interested in seeing this celebration should check out this link

Sold some first tickets today!!!

[Matti]

Originally Posted by Dave Slevin

Hi Matti,
There's no sintir, it's Flutes (lira), then a reedy oboe kind of a thing called a rhiata, drums and vocals. It's Sufi music and music for a festival called Boujeloud which is a half man half beast character, kind of like Pan (pipes of pan and all that).

The musicians usually sit in an L shape at home or in a line on stage with 3 drums at one end. I'm going for 3 over the flute and reed players, usually 6 or 7 of them, they play harmonies and counter rhythms in pairs apparently. And 2 cardioid above the drums a bit closer. Then a stereo pair a bit further back so as to pick up a good mix of all the players and any who decide to stretch their legs. These guys can play for about 6 hours, and it can get very trancy!

I'm hoping to try an hook up with some Gnawa dudes when I'm there too.

Heres what they sound like...
Joujuka myspace

Master Musicians of Joujouka

Thanks for your interest.
Dave

Oops!
A different scene altogether!
My adwice would like this:
Try to monitor occasionally in a different room even if with phones
to not see them playng and not to hear any bleed to your ears

Matti

P.S. I can see you having a good gig with good music,
I´d hope I could be there...

[Dave Slevin]

Originally Posted by MATTI

Oops!
A different scene altogether!
My adwice would like this:
Try to monitor occasionally in a different room even if with phones
to not see them playng and not to hear any bleed to your ears

Matti

P.S. I can see you having a good gig with good music,
I´d hope I could be there...

Will do.
I guess if you tell people it's going to happen it kind of has to then ;o)