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To answer the first half of your question, vertical alignment is front-to-back, and horizontal is side-to-side. In the old days, vertical alignment wasn't really even a thing, as the drumlines used to be centered mostly in the back, and pits either didn't exist or were minimal. Today, the battery can (and should) be all over...far off to one side, integrated with the brass, whatever. Alignment is *much* more challenging.

Playing super-tight with challenging staging is the ultimate skill displayed on the EA sheet (and GE to a lesser extent).

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I also find it interesting how many other corps have taken what the Bucs have done and recorded a narrated intro into the show.

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I also find it interesting how many other corps have taken what the Bucs have done and recorded a narrated intro into the show.

Who else is doing that? I loved it when Cavaliers did that a couple of years ago with Dan Potter's voice. I would have thought it would have been more common, but it didn't really catch on.

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I believe to a degree it was Bush and Fusion but I could be wrong. They were done in the style of their show, not just a straight-on announcement.

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Many thanks ... we used to use the word phasing instead of alignment ... in the sense of electronics, I thought the writer meant vertical as a "spiked" use in certain parts of the show, and horizontal meaning the use of electronics was spread our "evenly" throughout the music ... IMO, phasing has always been an issue (front-to-back or side-to-side) for many shows through the years - well before pits and electronics ...

To answer the first half of your question, vertical alignment is front-to-back, and horizontal is side-to-side. In the old days, vertical alignment wasn't really even a thing, as the drumlines used to be centered mostly in the back, and pits either didn't exist or were minimal. Today, the battery can (and should) be all over...far off to one side, integrated with the brass, whatever. Alignment is *much* more challenging.

Playing super-tight with challenging staging is the ultimate skill displayed on the EA sheet (and GE to a lesser extent).

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So it seems, little is clear about the approved/disapproved use of a synth in DCA competition. Granted, we don't have as many DCA posters on the board compared to a few years ago. It would be interesting to know how the device could possibly be used in some illegal manner that would subject a corps to some specific penalty.

It would appear, TOO LOUD can happen by accident, and without penalty. Poorly integrated synth selections, while shabby design, might affect the overall GE score, and according to Jeff, DCI's Bluecoats are most known for synthetically enlarging their brass line with electronic enhancement.

Although a carefully boosted brass line volume in choice places, like the close of a music selection, sounds exciting and more lush in color than possible before, I don't particularly care for the assist. It has potential to be overused, misleading, even distorting. Can there be real pleasure in hearing a corps of 10 brass instruments match the decibel level of another corps with 60, only because the smaller corps 'dialed-up?' Not for me.

I am not anti-electronics. I believe many corps in DCI have used these tools in moderation, and have made their programs better. I just don't think creating a pizzing contest to see which corps can blow back more audience hair (by electronic volume control) is a positive step for the activity.

Edited by Fred Windish
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I am trying my best to stay positive with the change to Amps and Electronics.

I have some background having played bass in various funk bands in the 70’s, where we got our first graphic equalizer and synthesizer, with mixing boards, power amps, preamps, echo, etc. Using that 10 band per channel EQ opened up the ears to the frequency choices.

Fast forward I think of the sound reinforcement at a Randall’s Island concert or even at West Point when we did a parade with Fusion and got to jump on stage with the local band. Talking to that sound board guy that is hired for all West Point gigs, well wow – that board is complex, and those guys know how to mix.

I went to the Cabs Clifton show with my buddy - he is an electronics repair and guitar guy, not drum corps guy, although he marched Tuba in 1965. OK, for each show we commented on the frequencies, speaker placement and obvious mix/balance problems, bad tones, or bass boom. I was quite distracted from the thrill of hearing amazing acoustic horns / drums / natural pit.

Now recent Bush Clifton show, I’d say the Chez band put out a really good combo of Electrons (great rhythm section) with screamin’ mic’d horns. It was a pleasure – and I don’t think he had sound board person. When I listen to say Stevie Wonder with a big band I can’t get enough of the amazing mix with amplified synth. Maybe not fair to compare drum corps to that keyboard player in any sense.

But even with all the DCI experience (I read a long thread) which I have not heard much of, we are just crawling into this venue. And in the end it is really not good quality at all in the realm of amplified outdoor show. Heck the corps setup in like 3 minutes! And what a waste with amazing on the move horns and drums to hear, to end up with mediocre at best amplified performance – ALL.

The topics are out there how a synth can equal sound of 10-12 tubas - it does to my ears. The blend of the 2 to me is not that interesting. What to do? Fight it? Help make it better? Control the boundaries as some are discussing – more rules/penalties.

The voice overs and sound effects stand on their own. But doubling and special synth musical patched sounds - I’ll look for the next $100 Stevie tour ticket I think. Is there a DCI corps I should check out for state of the state?

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So it seems, little is clear about the approved/disapproved use of a synth in DCA competition. Granted, we don't have as many DCA posters on the board compared to a few years ago. It would be interesting to know how the device could possibly be used in some illegal manner that would subject a corps to some specific penalty.

It would appear, TOO LOUD can happen by accident, and without penalty. Poorly integrated synth selections, while shabby design, might affect the overall GE score, and according to Jeff, DCI's Bluecoats are most known for synthetically enlarging their brass line with electronic enhancement.

Although a carefully boosted brass line volume in choice places, like the close of a music selection, sounds exciting and more lush in color than possible before, I don't particularly care for the assist. It has potential to be overused, misleading, even distorting. Can there be real pleasure in hearing a corps of 10 brass instruments match the decibel level of another corps with 60, only because the smaller corps 'dialed-up?' Not for me.

I am not anti-electronics. I believe many corps in DCI have used these tools in moderation, and have made their programs better. I just don't think creating a pizzing contest to see which corps can blow back more audience hair (by electronic volume control) is a positive step for the activity.

we don't know that too loud by accident wasn't penalized without a judge saying yes or no. for all we know Bucs could have had a higher score but the volume created an issue.

pretty much, little isn't allowed. based on what we've seen and heard in both circuits, they let it go. i'm sure DCA's rules mirror DCI's on usage. in most cases, I don't think they use it to add volume. They use it to add depth and range, sounds or pitches not able to be achieved by brass instruments such a low end patches to give the sound more bottom.

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trptmagnet -

Your input is appreciated. As you can tell, I'm a little concerned about overuse of 'Brass Viagra.' I notice your first years with Skyliners were also my first years with Buccaneers! Those days, particularly with G bugles, and arrangers like Hy Dreitzer, everything was not only natural, but plenty LOUD ! To me, Skyliners created LOUD.

Using amplification devices these days, for soloists, is a nice change. But, to electronically create the appearance of enormous power by laying down a heavy sample of near-matching, faux organ chords cheapens the integrity of the craft. Works at a rock concert, of course, but I'm having a hard time grasping this new ability and the potential for abuse it represents.

Thanks again.

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