MikeN Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Why not record Brandt then, and use his intros for every corps at every show? Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danielray Posted January 15, 2013 Author Share Posted January 15, 2013 We already have a professional announcer; his name is Brandt Crocker. Sometimes folks have a tendency to find solutions for problems that don't exist. And if technology hasn't taught us that we can't always rely on technology, imagine what would happen if the system stopped functioning at a major show and there was nothing where the announcement should be. I've interviewed plenty of DCI corps members over the years whom have stated that it really hit them that they were at the big shows when they heard Brandt's voice announce their corps, the same voice they've heard on years and years of DCI recordings. I can't imagine interviewing anyone stating they'll always remember the moment they made it onto the field and heard a pre-recorded announcement by someone who sounds like he sells toilet paper and dish soap during television commercial breaks. We don't need to break something that isn't broken just so we can fix it by making it less meaningful. This is drum corps...not the shuttle train between terminals at Atlanta-Hartsfield Airport. I'm talking about having Brandt pre-record announcements for EVERY show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Boo Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Why not record Brandt then, and use his intros for every corps at every show? Mike I prefer the charms of an old-fashioned analog Brandt over the cold calculative sameness of a new-fangled digital Brandt. Call me crazy, but to rely on Brandt 2.0 to always function correctly would be "constantly risking absurbity." 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobrien Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Sometimes folks have a tendency to find solutions for problems that don't exist. There have been a number of instances where Brandt's or Dan's timing in terms of the placement was off by half a second or so, which put big horn hits over part of the announcement. The corps have created this issue by the change in the pre-show blah blah, but having a pre-recorded announcement that was started by one of the pit crew, and would be exactly the same each run-through, each performance, doesn't seem unreasonable. They could still have Brandt do it, since doing voice over work these days requires a $200 mic and a Macbook, and you can do it in the comfort of your own studio at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeN Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I prefer the charms of an old-fashioned analog Brandt over the cold calculative sameness of a new-fangled digital Brandt. Call me crazy, but to rely on Brandt 2.0 to always function correctly would be "constantly risking absurbity." Oh, come on - MechaBrandt would be awesome! Seriously, though, in addition to the RoboBrandt, DCI could provide video segments/intros to TEP's whose stadiums have that capacity. The goal being to "standardize" the DCI show experience no matter who is putting it on... Anyways, just a thought. (hee... MechaBrandt...) Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fran Haring Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Why not have all of the announcements for every drum corps show pre-recorded by the same professional announcer? This could be a great way to provide a more continuity across all events. They could just be made and put in a dropbox. A simple Web-based scheduling and scoring app could be produced. Would have different role types (admin, judge, director, corps admin, corps staff, etc.). Each role would have different activities (like judges entering scores, etc.). The show admin would simply set up the schedule and would load the MP3 files... then just click the button to start each activity, which would automatically start the timing for that activity. Software-based admin and operations of shows would absolutely provide a much more consistent and certainly organized experience. This is also not something complicated to build... this is hobby project stuff that could be knocked out in a couple of weekends. Anyway, just thinking out loud... You're thinking way too much. Go away and stay away. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Boo Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 There have been a number of instances where Brandt's or Dan's timing in terms of the placement was off by half a second or so, which put big horn hits over part of the announcement. The corps have created this issue by the change in the pre-show blah blah, but having a pre-recorded announcement that was started by one of the pit crew, and would be exactly the same each run-through, each performance, doesn't seem unreasonable. They could still have Brandt do it, since doing voice over work these days requires a $200 mic and a Macbook, and you can do it in the comfort of your own studio at home. I understand; but part of the excitement of being at a live show is it's LIVE. I'm not suggesting this would be one step on the way to having all corps record their shows in a studio and then just march the drills to the pre-recorded music. (Though given time, someone else might suggest that. No names, please.) But there's something about the live variables that can happen at any time that makes the "must be there" quotient that much higher for any show. Imagine the members knowing the announcement is going to be exact and perfect each and every time, and they learn to cue off that. And then at the big show, something goes wrong with the computer connection or the staff member responsible for activating the sound patch has gas and everything (except the gas) flies out the window. Knowing things might not be the same at every show helps keep the members sharp and poised to deal with the times when everything isn't the same at every show. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottgordon Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I'm not sure that "standardization" is what entertainment is all about. But then, with each passing year the event becomes a little less "live", what with the pre-recorded sounds and electronics, so what the heck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danielray Posted January 15, 2013 Author Share Posted January 15, 2013 You're thinking way too much. Go away and stay away. I'm flattered. :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Boo Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Oh, come on - MechaBrandt would be awesome! Seriously, though, in addition to the RoboBrandt, DCI could provide video segments/intros to TEP's whose stadiums have that capacity. The goal being to "standardize" the DCI show experience no matter who is putting it on... Anyways, just a thought. (hee... MechaBrandt...) Mike Your reference to "RoboBrandt" is funnier, IMHO. "Excuse me, I have to go. Somewhere there is a DCI show happening." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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