Tito
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Posts posted by Tito
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Seriously? Kids like iPhones, therefore we should add A&E to drum corps?
I could try to address this with you on an ideological level, and explain how the attraction of drum corps has always been the challenge of performing with a limited set of instrumentation that does not include every state-of-the-art piece of equipment. But how about we try facts instead? There was a surge in youth interest from the late 1990s through about 2003 or 2004, both in membership and fan interest regarding DCI corps. The years 2002 and 2003 saw frequent press releases touting record audition numbers and record ticket sales bolstered by busloads of band kids. Amplification was introduced in DCI starting in the 2004 season, with electronic instruments debuting in 2009. Claims of record audition numbers or ticket sales have been very rare ever since. If electronics attract youth, we should have seen growth in youth involvement over the past 9 years, right?
Well, you're over simplifying my point regarding the iPhone thing, but I get where you're coming from. Maybe one doesn't equal the other.
attraction of drum corps has always been the challenge of performing with a limited set of instrumentation that does not include every state-of-the-art piece of equipment. - Agreed that the instrumentation pre-electronics led to interesting orchestration, and creativity. Maybe you view it as a cop-out of sorts to take something that would be difficult to translate on the field and just give it to the synth players and samples. I cant argue with your opinion, if that's the case. I just believe that it opens doors to new sounds, and I happen to like it when done well.
There was a surge in youth interest...we should have seen growth in youth involvement over the past 9 years, right?- Great argument on the other side. There are other factors involved (economy), but I guess my point may be that it cant actually hurt the numbers of kids interested in marching. If kids are in band programs and indoor programs that are using electronics, drum corps could be viewed as antiquated in their eyes.
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Hey, man - thanks for posting! Nice to hear from someone with experience on the matter. :thumbup:/>/>
But... it's been 10 years now using these sound systems in DCI, and much, much longer in the band world. How much longer do we have to wait for a true "pro" setup to be figured out? I really wish there were some sort of "standard" setup that could be agreed upon that would let a) all corps plug in to the same equipment and b) could be tested, evaluated and tweaked as time goes on.
And regarding SCV, when I saw them in Houston last year, they had the absolute loudest amped front ensemble of the top 8. They were the only corps that you literally could not hear their actual playing because their speakers covered them up. To be fair, though, I admit we might have been sitting too close... :smile:/>/>
Mike
Thanks for great points!
The first point - I don't know how long we have to wait, and I certainly don't have all the answers.
I've thought about the one PA approach. In theory it would work, and cut down costs since DCI could provide the PA, and the corps wouldn't have to invest in one. But, that would leave the corps with no PA for rehearsal, which would lead to a "fly by the seat of your pants" approach when the corps takes the field. It could be tough. Also, corps have deals with manufacturers, which could lead to conflicts, such as Cadets (Yamaha) playing through a different branded PA. DCI could just black out the branding on the equipment I suppose. How many shows happen on a given day throughout the summer? Would DCI buy 4-5 high quality PA's with 4-5 trucks and pay 4-5 full time audio guys to travel to each show all summer? I'm not saying it cant work, there's just a lot that would go in to it.
Second point - I can only guess as to your specific experience at this show with this corps. I will try to guess though. Because I'm a percussionist I sit close as well. I have had instances where the hornline (doing what they're supposed to do) just blows right over my head to the pressbox (Allentown) and all I hear is the PA. It does suck. The goal of the corps is to make it sound good at the pressbox for the judges. Sometimes the blend and balance at the pressbox is way different than it is any where else, in my opinion due to the directivity of the PA's we are currently using. So, I believe we need to think in terms of coverage rather than volume to fix the problem. You may have been sitting in an unfortunate hot spot. OR...it could have been exactly as you heard it...way too loud in relation to the rest of the corps.
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Hey all. Frequent lurker, infrequent poster here. Also, a long time audio pro and had to chime in.
1. The addition of amplification made the FE truly a viable 3rd ensemble on the field rather than just an accompanying voice as it had been in the past. I believe it has attracted better players since the contribution of the FE is more valued. You can argue this point that all players have gotten better over the last 20 years, I get it. However, the greatest jump in talent and writing has been in the FE. Also, marimbas and vibes now sound like marimbas and vibes.
2. I'm not sure how some can yearn for the number of corps and number of kids involved in the activity from years past, yet also complain about the activity taking steps that attract youth. (I realize this was not part of the original post, and may be a bit off topic). Kids are surrounded by electronics...phones, ipads etc. For better or worse, music today is based more in computer based electronic sounds more than ever before. If the activity is trying to attract youth and grow the number of corps, why not do what would attract youth? What do you think SoundSport and Drumline Battle are? They are "So You Think You Can Dance" and "America's Got Talent" drum corps style. I have my issues with this stuff as well, but the intent is to attract kids to the activity. You cant do that with the 700th arrangement of Big Noise from Winnetka.
3. I get it. I know why you don't like synths. They are too loud sometimes, and the thunderous goo can get a bit much. Some of this has to do with the speakers we are using that create "hot spots" in the stands for certain listeners, but that's a conversation for another day. (Small ground stacked line arrays, look it up) However, as more and more corps get pros in to the audio positions, and not just the parent who used to install car stereos or the pit gut who has to learn this stuff, the outcome will get better, and it has greatly improved already. I don't know who he is, but SCV's guy is doing a great job. (and has a beautiful FOH rack, but that's beside the point..kudos) The FE is never overbalanced, and you hear them featured when you should, and don't when they are supportive. Shout out to the Cavies team as well. Cadets just had an electronics position open, which I assume was filled with a true pro. We are not long from every corps having a full time PA guy will be the norm, and the results will improve.
Thats my 2 cents. Always open to thoughtful discussion!
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I live 10 minutes away from there. Agreed, don't go anywhere exploring! The stadium and casino are relatively well insulated from the questionable surroundings.
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2 Dynasty Snare Drums w/ Hard Cases and A Free set of Evans Hybrid Heads. We are asking $425 for the pair.
2 Yamaha/May Tenor Stands. We are asking $200 for the pair.
Accepting other offers, but prices are somewhat firm. The money will go directly toward other instrument purchases, so you will be spending for a good cause.
For pictures and better descriptions, go here:
http://www.ridleypercussion.com/Home/for-sale
Respond to ridleyhspercussion at gmail. Do no PM me on this forum please.
Thanks for looking!!
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Blue Stars are at Trexler High School in Allentown through sunday.
Thanks!
Looks like Surf is at their Allentown housing as well. Cant find anything on Regiment and Crown, but Im assuming it will be a similar story as the others.
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Any one else have rehearsal sites for today?
Crossmen are at Valley Forge Military Academy
Cadets in Landisville.
Landisville Middle School
340 Mumma Drive, Landisville, PA 17538
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thanks! what is it? Where
The Hamilton Family Diner.
It's not really fun, its just an Allentown staple. The diner is right on the other side of the park from JBC.
If youre looking for fun in Allentown, thats kind of like looking for a girl at a Rush show.
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are there any fun things to do aroung Allentown on Saturday before the show?
HamFam.
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Regarding the thread title,
Thats what she said.
Carry on.
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What a coincedence...
I have 2 yamaha Tenor stands that dont work for my Dynasty Tenors w/ J Hooks. We have engineered a solution, but it doesnt really work. Furthermore, I want two of the 2cool stands.
We might be able to work something out here. PM me if interested.
EE
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Use 3M 77 Adheseive Spray. Should be $17 - $20 a can, but incredibly useful stuff. Just spray a small circle on to the head where you want the weatherstripping, spray some on the weatherstripping, wait a minute, then stick the stripping on the head.
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Yup, it's a synth player. They did this part about 5 times in a row at one rehearsal I attended. I had no idea before that either. Probably the most tasteful use of synth so far.
I thought about this for the last 5 mins.
I think my brain is not used to the possibility that what sounds like traditional pit instruments, or a sound that is close to it, could come from a synth/electronics. My brain just assumes its all whooshes/dings and tuba parts an octave down.
Back on topic....I like the depth of quality within each individual batteries (in other words, bass 5's are pretty good drummers now, not just a guy who plays on One) and depth of quality through out the activilty From BD, to Pioneer/Surf/Scades.
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Fixed it for ya.
Please tell me youre kidding. If not, I as a 15 year teacher of percussion youth, will be embarassed that I didnt notice.
Come to think of it, yeah. Though, that sound could have easily been created by glock and vibes. Thats another story for another day.
Whatever. I still dig it the most!
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Crown's ballad when its just glock and vibes.....most of the corps frozen in a pose.
You could hear a pin drop. Beautifully understated, simple, and effective.
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" In 6th place...which is really...a tie..for fourth..."
Crowd gasps/cheers.
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Give 'em a couple shots at figuring out the camera cuts... it's incredibly hard to direct any live event, especially one like drum corps.
Something tells me they'll be on their game for the Quarterfinals theatre broadcast.
Agreed. It is incredibly more difficult to call a 3 camera live shoot to a program feed than non-video people know. Granted, no excuse for the pit close-up during SCV, shouldn't have happened, but the person calling the camera is not as familiar with what you want to watch as you are.
This being said, as a quad player, I cant count the number of times Ive been ###### that the sideline handheld nails the snare break...then the high cam is taken while the quads get their 4 measures in the sun. Then the handheld refocuses just in time to pick up a rifle.....ugh.
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Judas priest on a pony.....Was the last minute even faster, or is it just me? Cripes.
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The school at which I teach just found one on an auctioneer site. Apparently they are popular with these people. The site was something like ohioauctioneer.com or something. Google it and it should pop up.
Also, the megavox is a less expensive option, but I have no experience with these. I cant tell you whether they perform at the level of the Long Ranger or not.
Ive seen them on ebay as well from time to time. Even the least expensive used one (which was a Long Ranger 1) was $925.
Good luck to you!
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I hear they have a special, somewhat surprising, comfortable rehearsal facility today.
Go Bones. Its now or never......
Or sometime in the next 3 weeks, but now would be a better option.
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Bevinator Im having the same issue....when the stream stops my player goes back to the beginning of what was downloaded. Ive had to reload the player about ten times.
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Thanks for the link barigirl78.
I click on the video, and what do I see? The girlfriend throwing a rifle in the air front and center. Killer!
Much appreciated!
I"m hoping tonight is the beginning of the ascent for Crossmen....
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Based on what I heard from a CG member, the CG didnt have a particualarly good or bad show. Certainly not a 3.7 point drop kind of bad.
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Apparently due to massive amounts of rain, lundry day today. Not sure what this means for the "free" day Sunday in Jackson.
Audio Equipment
in DCP Marketplace
Posted · Edited by Tito
Hey all!
I have access to some used Dynasty audio equipment that they have discontinued. Some real bargains are available..mics, amps, speakers, mixers etc.
Also, other manufacturers new equipment available, as well as consultation, set up, etc.
Pricing is usually below what a store can offer.
Email, message me here, or PM me @redroomonline
Thanks and have a great day!