11.23.2005

a sigh of relief and a vote of confidence

Hi Everybody! Tonight, I tackled one of the biggest projects i've ever had to face as a sound engineer. If that isn't enough, i did it in front of a huge, highly critical audience with high expectations. (let me tell you, they've had their fair share of letdowns in the past.) THe challenge was the Temple University Big Band. This is a world class ensemble, directed by one of the most gifted and highly respected trumpeters on today's international jazz scene, Terell Stafford. The task seems simple enough, just get the band's sound out to the audience. The problem is, in the past (at least every big band show i've been to...) the sound has been mediocre at best. Ratty speakers, grainy sounding sax mics, bad balance between sections. So here I am, the next victim in a long line of sound guys doing sucky jobs at making this great band sound good...

Since we got the call to do the gig I've been going over plans and ideas, micing schemes. I was trying to do everything in my power to make the band feel good and to make the audience happy. As we got closer and closer to the concert, my self-induced pressure to succeed began to consume more of my brain than it should. I talked about it with friends, and my dad all of whom assured me that the concert would be fine and I shouldn't worry. Under almost any other circumstances that'd be enough. But the idea of a tarnished reputation hung over my head a little too heavy for me to just let it go.

Finally, Sound Check. The band feels good. The guest artist, Carla Cook get situated after a few tunes. I start to relax a little. The show begins, and goes off nearly perfectly, sounding great the whole way through. The closer we got to the end of the show, the great i could feel my sigh of relief welling up. Terell said his thank yous and the house music came up. And huge grin came over me. Safe. I had performed well. As people walked by, congratulatory remarks were uttered, handshakes were offered. I broke the bad sound guy curse!!! So this post is dedicated to all of those who offered their votes of confidence especially, my dad, molly and mikey (my partner in feedback supression). Thanks guys for trusting and believing in me. It means a heck of a lot. Thanks for reading.
-Truth, mixing the big band

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