Live Pitch Correction in the ABBA Musical "Mamma Mia"?

ilovemusic · 22nd April 2008

Hey guys,

yesterday I saw the ABBA musical in London and I was wondering if Live Pitch Correction is used on stage?

I was amazed, some of their notes seemed so ironed out spot-on, some of them actually quite off though...

Maybe they were just really good lifeless singers. Can someone share insight, also about musicals and live concerts in general?

Thank you!!!

Jim vanBergen · 22nd April 2008

Broadway/West End musicals are radically different than live concerts.

Theatricals are VERY heavily rehearsed and maintained. The onstage volume levels are nothing compared to a rock concert.

Currently, I am unaware of any Broadway show that utilizes autotuning. However, there ARE live backing tracks often used for heavy dance numbers, though almost never for lead vocal parts.

"Mamma Mia" uses Yamaha PM1D consoles for FOH on both B'way and the West End, and Sennheiser RF mics on the performers.

Broadway shows are so radically different than any other kind of performance...is there something special you want to know? PM me if there is.

Hope this helps.

Jim van Bergen

ilovemusic · 22nd April 2008

Thank you very much for the insightful response! I guess it sounded just a bit robotic and lifeless which made me think it was
autotuned.... :-)

Roland · 23rd April 2008

I went to see Mamma Mia a couple of years back, in the ensemble numbers levels were close to rock concert levels. I strongly suspected that they were using backing tracks to reinforce the vocals. When singers are having an off night their vocals can be run from the track.

Regards

Roland

22nd April 2008	#1
ilovemusic Gear maniac Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 223 Thread Starter	Live Pitch Correction in the ABBA Musical "Mamma Mia"? Hey guys, yesterday I saw the ABBA musical in London and I was wondering if Live Pitch Correction is used on stage? I was amazed, some of their notes seemed so ironed out spot-on, some of them actually quite off though... Maybe they were just really good lifeless singers. Can someone share insight, also about musicals and live concerts in general? Thank you!!!

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22nd April 2008	#2
Jim vanBergen Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2005 Location: New York Friggin' City Posts: 2,562	Broadway/West End musicals are radically different than live concerts. Theatricals are VERY heavily rehearsed and maintained. The onstage volume levels are nothing compared to a rock concert. Currently, I am unaware of any Broadway show that utilizes autotuning. However, there ARE live backing tracks often used for heavy dance numbers, though almost never for lead vocal parts. "Mamma Mia" uses Yamaha PM1D consoles for FOH on both B'way and the West End, and Sennheiser RF mics on the performers. Broadway shows are so radically different than any other kind of performance...is there something special you want to know? PM me if there is. Hope this helps. Jim van Bergen

23rd April 2008	#4
Roland Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2002 Location: St Leonards on Sea, England Posts: 2,133 2 Reviews written	I went to see Mamma Mia a couple of years back, in the ensemble numbers levels were close to rock concert levels. I strongly suspected that they were using backing tracks to reinforce the vocals. When singers are having an off night their vocals can be run from the track. Regards Roland