Event Production troubleshooting & thoughts on the Roland M-400

This week I got a call from a local event production company (Creative Visions) that came up short handed because of multiple events scheduled in a perfect storm.  They needed an A1 sound guy, and since I know the guys there, they called me to ask if I could help.  I was glad to because they have been a big help to us at Colonial, and to me personally when I've been stuck and needed a quick answer, and it was a chance to kick the tires on the little Roland M-400 digital mixer.   

New Avid Venue & Pro Tools stuff spotted in the wild

iPad app, "Venuelink" for Pro Tools, and AVB in this video

VenueLink:
OK -so, the thing I'm MOST excited about here is the "Venuelink" feature.  Wow!  If I could go back and reclaim all the time I spent setting up patching, and marking and naming the beginning of each song on a 2 hour long session...

Part 3. Recruiting: How To Fire A Volunteer

Don’t Judge Me!

You’ve recruited, begged for help.  Now, when that operator shows up, don’t be afraid to judge them.  Check references.  Make sure they measure up.  Can you fire a volunteer?  Well, if they don’t show up, walk off with headphones, sneak up into the tech fridge at other times during the week to “refresh” themselves, or just have a generally critical and stinky attitude towards the “talent”… sure!

Part 2. Recruiting: Newbies

Newbies

Part 1 was all about the FASTEST way to GROW a tech team.  This post is about “newbies”.  We were all "newbies" at some point, and we really don't have a desire to create a secret handshake club.  In fact, one of the most fun things about doing this tech arts ministry is seeing someone "get it".  Whether its understanding signal flow or creating their first lighting cue, seeing someone excited to learn a tech arts trick is pretty satisfying.  And its even more satisfying to see them down the line become an integral part of the team. 

Recruiting (part 1of 3) - You Get What You Ask For

Recruiting: You Get What You Ask For? (pt. 1 of 3)

I don’t claim to have recruiting tech arts volunteers all figured out, but I have some thoughts I’d like to share.  And before I start in on this, let me just say that we have a terrific volunteer team at Colonial, made up of a mixed bag of volunteers both with years of professional or other experience in the tech arts, and those who just came on board wanting to serve this body in whatever way they were needed.  In this post, I’m specifically dealing with recruiting from the beginning, and what is the FASTEST way to grow a tech arts team.

Cool Tools October 5th, 2010

SafeFlame.com has a very cool LED candle light.  $35 each, but they pack a punch and look VERY realistic.  Can run off of AC or DC power.  I ordered one to try - came in today and I'm having WAY too much fun.