Tag Archives: Clair

Phish STL 2012

29 Aug

Last night some good friends and I had the pleasure of seeing jam-gods, Phish, live in concert. I had seen them once before at Bonnaroo ’09, but this time we were indoors at the modest 10,000-ish seat Chaifetz Arena located on St. Louis University campus.

Production value was through the roof, with the best lighting design I’ve seen in recent memory, if not ever. A huge Clair Bros i-5 rig was a welcoming sight upon entering the venue. If I counted right, the main hangs each had fourteen i-5 cabs with accompanying i-5b subs. Two sets of outfield hangs covered the rest of the bowl and side stage seats, with the inner hangs consisting of ten i-5/i-5bs and the outer of twelve i-3s. Headroom aplenty. The floor was packed, but I could see some BT-218 subs hanging out offstage left and right.

FOH looked like a darn good time, with a Midas XL8 at the center of it all.  The mix was clean and articulate, allowing the audience to follow the musicians’ every move.  Each member of the band had their special, equally important role in the mix.  One big, happy musical family, together in sonic harmony.

On a calm, late-summer Tuesday night in St. Louis, Missouri, Phish pulled out all the stops and played two sets full of classic examples why they’re the most prolific act in the scene.

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Where have I been?

16 Jul

When you have so much fun at work, it’s easy to overlook the whole “documenting what I do” thing.  Enough apologizing for my lack of posts.  How about a quick recap?

Looks like I haven’t mentioned any shows I’ve worked since December 2011.  Last year?  Damn, it’s been a busy seven months.  Here goes nothing…

1.18: Bryan Adams (The tour was carrying what was allegedly the first Midas Pro2 in the states.)Image

2.27: Peter Frampton (Maybe the best show I’ve ever seen.  Definitely best FOH mix of any show at the Gillioz.  FOH engineer, Vinnie, was rocking a beautiful beast of a console, a Midas XL4)

2.28: Rusko (I mixed FOH, if you can call leaving two channels wide open “mixing.”  Perhaps system tech is a more accurate job title.)Image

3.04: Steven Curtis Chapman (The tour was carrying a 12 box JBL VerTec 4887 rig.  Cool little boxes.)

3.11: Chevelle (Great mix on a Yamaha M7 by tour manager Chris Morrison)

3.14: Kelly Clarkson (Biggest show at Drury’s O’Reilly center to date.  Killer Clair Bros i4 rig .  Also, Clay Paky Sharpys out the wazoo.  I served as promoter rep.  Fun time.  Big shout out to TM Alan Hornall for ensuring a smooth operation.)Image

3.20: BB King (I had the pleasure of mixing FOH for the king.  Truly an honor.)Image

3.23: Lisa Lampanelli (I was laughing, sometimes cringing, at my console the entire show.)

4.07: Leo Kottke (So much sound from one man with one guitar. Great musician.  A Shure SM58, Midas pres, Countryman DI and a Taylor guitar.  I mixed the entire show with a smile.)

4.15: Blue October (My first night on an Avid SC48 running FOH for local support.  Favorite digital desk I’ve used.)

4.18: JJ Grey & Mofro (Their second time at the Gillioz Theatre, always a party.  I mixed monitors for SGF locals, Speakeasy.)

4.19: Ralphie May (Funny guy. Laid-back show.)

4.21: Ozark Mountain Daredevlis (My last date serving as promoter rep on their 40th anniversary tour.)

5.01: Hellyeah & Clutch (Vinnie Paul had a Shure Beta 98 upside down between his toms to mic stick clicks.  Sweet!)

5.04: Switchfoot (The day MCA died.  In honor, Switchfoot played a fantastic cover of “Sabotage.”  I mixed the opening act.  FOH console was a Soundcraft Vienna, my first experience with a Soundcraft desk.  Auxes from bottom to top, anyone?)

5.05/06: Big Smith (A two day farewell run for the band’s retirement.  Both sold out shows.  I engineered a multitrack recording of the show with the Gillioz’s Midas Verona and my Logic rig.)

5.15: Styx, REO Speedwagon & Ted Nugent (Another promoter rep gig for me.  Definitely had my work cut out for me.  The O’Reilly center was the smallest venue on the tour, so I had to pull out my shoehorn to squeeze this one in there.  Pulled it off, learned a lot.)Image

5.19: Gabriel Iglesias (Really impressed by their production.  Big impact, small footprint, easy setup.  Also, hilarious comedian.)Image

5.22: Incubus (Promoter rep gig at O’Reilly Center.  I’m a big fan of the simplicity of “An Evening With…” shows.)

5.29: Theory of a Deadman (First nigh on an Avid Venue Profile.  At first impression, I feel I like the SC48 better–perhaps because of differences in metering and on-desk displays.) 

6.01: Primus (Never thought I’d see these guys grace the Gillioz stage. Tour carried a huge Meyer MILO rig.)Image

6.08: Grace Potter & The Nocturnals (Holy cow, what a voice on that girl, not to mention the legs.  Another fun night on the local Soundcraft Vienna for me mixing the support act, Rayland Baxter. Photo by Chet Smith.)Image

6.15: Josh Turner (Promoter rep gig.  All around nicest touring crew I’ve worked with in a long time.  Friendly southern boys.)

7.06: Tech N9ne (Last night of their record breaking tour, 90-some shows in 100-some days.)

7.09: Death Cab for Cutie (FOH was a Midas Pro6.  Didn’t get to mix on it, but hope to get the chance soon.)

There, now I feel my lack of posting has been justified.