General Information
The following general notes are provided to assist sound techs in miking the harp and vocals and in maintaining sound during the show.
What does she play?
Áine Minogue plays the Irish harp and sings.
What mikes does she need for the harp?
She brings her own harp mikes. Details for miking the harp are below.
Any other tips for miking the harp?
Yes, the best way to figure out what the sound should be, is to stand close to the harp and listen to how it sounds without sound reinforcement. This is exactly the sound we are trying to achieve.
Does the harp feed back?
Yes, this is the biggest problem with this instrument, mostly due to the abundance of overtones. That is why it is so important that the sound man be at the board at all times and ready to make adjustments.
What vocal mikes are needed?
For miking the voice, a Shure SM 58, (or a microphone of equal or better quality) on a boom stand.
What vocal effects are needed?
REVERB ON THE VOCALS ARE A MUST.
PLEASE NOTE: These specs are written with the expectation that the sound man will work the board for the ENTIRE duration of the show. If for some reason, this is not possible, please advise in advance. Also, a second vocal mike on a boom stand will be needed to speak in to, with NO vocal reverb and effects.
How many monitors?
Monitors usually can accentuate the problem of feedback. Therefore, we often find, for solo shows, it makes life much easier for the sound man if they can be avoided altogether. However, if the venue is quite large and for some reason, the sound stage is very different from that of the room, then ONE will be needed.
Any tips for working the board during the show?
Yes, please only leave on those mikes which are in use. Áine plays mostly harp instrumentals.
When she is speaking, sound men will need to bypass the vocal effects. When she plays instrumentals (the bulk of the show), vocal mikes should be turned off to avoid reverb.
When will I know when to turn on the vocal effects?
Áine usually introduces most of the pieces. She takes particular care to introduce vocals, in order to give the sound techs a chance to make changes. Most of the vocals have at least a short instrumental introduction for just this purpose.
Anything else?
We are constantly trying to improve the sound and to make life as easy for the sound man as possible. We are always grateful for your suggestions. Please let us know how we can inform or serve you better.
Instructions For Miking The Harp
Áine will bring two mikes, an AKG C 418 which she will set up inside the harp and a Crown PCC 160 (floor mike) which is placed on the floor about three inches from the bottom of the harp. These can be used singularly or together to best effect.
PLEASE NOTE that both mikes need phantom power.
Here are sound man tips for use of the Crown PCC 160: (floor mike)
1. Be sure to use phantom power.
2. Make sure mic is facing the right way. There are markings on the bottom showing you the proper way.
3. This is a very sensitive mic. It does not need a lot of gain to achieve a strong signal. If there is a trim pot or gain pot for the individual channel on the mixing board, adjust it so the strongest signal so the harp does not clip or distort. Then adjust the individual channel volume control to the proper volume.
4. If low end feedback or an unpleasant boominess occurs, there is a switch on the bottom of the microphone to either cut or boost the bass response. It is usually set on cut since it is the higher order harmonics of the bass strings that truly define the note for the human ear.
5. If this mic is used in conjunction with the AKG C 418 (this is placed inside the sound box of the harp) then only send the AKG C 418 through reverb if you intend to use reverb on the harp signal. (smaller venues will probably not need reverb, larger venues usually need a little) Since the floor mic is quite a distance from the upper strings, the PCC 160 will pick up pleasant early reflections from the higher notes that would normally be obliterated by reverb.
6. PLACEMENT OF THE MICROPHONE IS IMPORTANT. The closer it is placed to the bottom sound hole (i.e. the bottom of the harp on the floor) the more homogeneous mix of high and low notes will be picked up. The best placement position is about 3 inches from the bottom sound hole when the harp is in a standing position. This should place the microphone in an optimum position when it is tilted back to play. The idea is to try and grab the higher order harmonics of the bass strings reflecting off the the body of the harp while at the same time picking up the lower order harmonics that are resonating from the bottom sound hole. Of course, experimentation is always in order and certain venues will require slightly different placements.
Lighting
We request the following gels, where possible:
Gold - the harp is made from birds eye maple and this gel is particularly nice on the harp. Set against a dark background (dark curtain), it is very striking.
Pink - is much kinder on very pale skin than white.
Other Stage Props or Requirements
Small table with lots of water
For holiday shows, candles and/or decorations are greatly appreciated. We leave it to the presenter to make the choices. A simple candle often works wonderfully. By way of suggestion - evergreens and/or the smell of hot apple cider create a nice mood also. |
