MUSIC FOR TV

[audioez]

in case any one cares, I care about the quality of music in regards to broadcast standards. I took this pic from last week... The house provides a midas venice, one reverb, 4 channels of dbx comps, the rest I bring a long when I'm feeling inspired. When I figure out how to digitize a dvd, I can post some audio/video examples for my fellow sluts.

The house utilizes a 24 channel passive splitter, and a modest crest monitor console that's capable of 12 mono mixes or 6 stereo with level and pan.

[Jim vanBergen]

damn, I adore that Neve mastering desk you have!
So what show is this???
JvB

[Remoteness]

Yeah, damn it!!!

[audioez]

the show is COLD PIZZA on ESPN 2. Yes, if you can belive I was just using the transfer unit as a volume control for the speakers. The venice only has unbalenced inserts, which I don't trust when using a 33609.

So the path is Midas Venice-->33609-->A998(master)-->Then off to 88 million cable subscribers.

The 33609 has made such a big difference, it's amazing how much compress/limit you can get away with on the final mix.

[joaquin]

Hi Audioez, Thanks for the Info and congrats!!
I was wondering how "Hot" your stereo output should be?....in dbf? What's is the standar when it comes to live TV?...Is your compression/Limiting the last one for your signal before it's aired?
Thanks and Felicidadez!!.................Joaquin.

[audioez]

Originally Posted by joaquin

I was wondering how "Hot" your stereo output should be?....in dbf?

Are you talking about digital full scale as in dBfs??? if so I couldn't tell yeah cause I'm using the peak leds from the midas and then the VU's on the mastering console.

Originally Posted by joaquin

What's the standard when it comes to live TV?...Is your compression/Limiting the last one for your signal before it's aired?

I wasn't aware of any standards, I just know that the midas venice alone wasn't cutting the mustard, and after mixing over 60 acts with the same set up, I wanted to explore the effects of a comp/lim like the 33609 when strapped acroos the MAIN O/P.

I like to keep the Midas meters lit up no higher than +6 indicator LED's. Then I just take the mix O/P into the 33609. It's used mainly for mojo and some extra gain, and it does it job quite well.

[joaquin]

Thanks Audioez for the reply.
I usually mix a TV show, and due to the lack of headroom in the Analog inputs for the Betacam I must be very conservative coming out of PT...may be around -4dbfs, and also, must be very careful with the use of compression, cause even if I'm safe in my PT master bus, it may "explode" once it hits the analog ins in the Beta recorder. Also, I believe TV dynamic range to be very small in amplitud...that' why I'm wondering if there's is a specific range of Levels for the Mix to be delivered.
Also, are you Mixing just the music, and someone else is mixing that, with say the Voice overs or any other SFX or dialog for the show?
Appreciate all the info about this matter from you and the Fellow slutz...........Joaquin.

[audioez]

Originally Posted by joaquin

Also, are you Mixing just the music???

Yes, I send a LR mix to the production mixer.
I also patch the stage and setup/dial in the monitors as well. thumbsup

[joaquin]

Hey, Thanks Audioez!! I have not see the show, I'll try to catch it...when does it air?...not sure I have SPN2, but I'll look for it
If you'd like can you share a bit about the setup? Is it a house band? how many inputs?...how many outputs...different feeds? I imagine that you have the usual TV schedule production pressure...do you have assistants? is it in a studio, or moves from place to place?
Thanks for sharing, and good luck!!...................Joaquin.

[audioez]

I have not see the show, I'll try to catch it...when does it air?...not sure I have SPN2, but I'll look for it

The show is live from 8-10AM EST then it replays from 10A-12P EST Music seems to be on Tuesdays and the bands are always during the last 10 mintues of the show.

Is it a house band?
No

how many inputs?
Well The desk I mix on is a Midas Venice with (16)mono inputs and (4)stereo inputs.

how many outputs...different feeds?
I just send a L R mix to the production mixer, and from there it goes to big brother.
The whole system is designed around a 1:2 (24) channel mic/line passive split. The split lives in monitor world...A stage box with 24 pairs is then used to catch all the stage mics, di's and other various sources. MONITORS get the directs from the split, hence you must power condensers or active di's from the monitor desk. Then as the music mixer I take the isolated transformer O/P from the split. Some people like to have the direct access to the mic, but generally speaking the monitor world has a shorter cable run, and I like the fact that I don't need to blow up any monitors or people ears for that matter, just cause I forgot to turn on phantom from music mix world.

I imagine that you have the usual TV schedule production pressure...do you have assistants?
Yes, If there is a band I'll have a Music A2 who is responsible for the stage, even though I patch everything for quality control reasons(TV schedule, as you stated .


is it in a studio, or moves from place to place?
It's in a TV studio in NYC mid town.

[audioez]

ok, here are some mixes from the past couple of shows..

http://www.ezraudio.com/music.html

[joaquin]

FELICIDADEZ!! Great job!!
Thank you very much for answering my questions. I'll try to catch the show................Joaquin.