Any tips for mixing a rock band outdoors?

[theDBC]

I have a show coming up in a few weeks at an outdoor venue. I haven't mixed outdoors yet, so I was just wondering if there were any tips you guys had?

Anyone know the frequency of wind?!?

[bishopthomas]

Go mix, have fun! I love mixing shows outdoors when the PA is of adequate size and the band doesn't suck.

[jimcroisdale]

I know the frequence of my wind - about 80hz......

[Jim vanBergen]

Hey DBC,

Mixing outdoors has a different set of goals. If you mix well indoors, a decent outdoor venue is easier than a bad indoor venue.

I do this on a regular basis...the best thing you can do is make friends with whoever is responsible for putting in & maintaining the PA. Ask them how the venue sounds, what the pitfalls are, where there are problems. He'll know. And no one else will, as every venue is different, and wind, temperature, humidity will change ALL of that. If you're in your home area it's not so bad, since you're not on the coast. (I love Atlanta.)

Do you know the venue? Are you playing a shed like Chastain Park, or?

Hope this helps.

JvB

[theDBC]

Originally Posted by Jim vanBergen

Do you know the venue? Are you playing a shed like Chastain Park, or?

JvB

It's behind the Masquerade, the Music Park. I talked to the venue and they rent a system when they have shows there, no installed system. I'm going to get there early since I live in town and get familiar. Try to help set up and make some friends.

[bishopthomas]

Ah, the Masquerade. I've never been to the Music Park but have played the upstairs room several times. I'll be there on January 17th running sound for Streetlight Manifesto, opening for Reel Big Fish. If you want to come out just let me know and I'll put you on the guest list.

[theDBC]

Originally Posted by bishopthomas

Ah, the Masquerade. I've never been to the Music Park but have played the upstairs room several times. I'll be there on January 17th running sound for Streetlight Manifesto, opening for Reel Big Fish. If you want to come out just let me know and I'll put you on the guest list.

That would be awesome, but I can't. I'm working a show a block away at the Unicorn that night.
Our shows go later than Masquerade, so if you guys are looking for a place to drink after the show, we are close and open till 3.

[valleysound]

"Foamies" over mics cut down wind noise, not eq. Center cluster the subs if you can.

[johndykstra]

If you're comfortable mixing indoors, outside should be a piece of cake. Just watch your headroom, use compensation panning for stage left & right guitar amps, and don't expect the kick to hit your chest like it does inside.

[Denny McNerney]

high pass filters are your friend.

[Remoteness]

Originally Posted by Denny McNerney

high pass filters are your friend.

That's so true.

Specially on a windy day.

Furthermore, foam pop filters and hairy socks on you important mics are your friends.

You cannot leave home without them on outdooor gigs.

[AdamJay]

My Best advice is do your best to find out how its sounding where most of the listeners are. If you're in a FOH position, the low end may sound very different from where you are than where they are. So, mid way through the show, once you have a good handle on the mix... go down on the floor... err.. the ground... and have a listen. Evaluate, adjust. and have fun!

[noamraz]

I guess that if it suits for you and that's a SR rental installation gig - You might considure using a seperate Aux/Send (Post) to the "Subs", do not forget to ask for an GEQ for this master;

For rock you might find it easy to choose which channels you want to be sent to the subs - once balace is achieved, then it is easier to control the subs vs. high-mid components using the GEQ and the Master AUX for the "Sub send".

Note that i have mantioned the "Aux" and not the "Matrix" as most of the analog desks does not offer Channel-to-Matrix routings as it intended to mix Audio groups/masters usually. on digital consoles it's different, They offer the option to send almost anything to almost anywhere).

Hope you might my tip usuful, Noam.

[mixedupsteve]

And bring or ask for help. Coms are great. Especially if it's festival/combat situation.

[theDBC]

Thanks to all for the info, picking up some foam today.
Still waiting on the specs for the rental.