On Tuesday, August 6, 2013 7:47:56 AM UTC-7, Scott wrote:
On Tuesday, August 6, 2013 4:59:12 AM UTC-7, Gary Eickmeier wrote:
"Audio_Empire" wrote in message
...
On Monday, August 5, 2013 4:36:17 PM UTC-7, Robert Peirce wrote:
In my case, my sound system at home was significantly better than the
system in the hall. I used to listen to music on an AM radio, and I
enjoyed it at the time. However, when better sound became available I
enjoyed AM less.
That's more or less what I've been saying. If I want to listen to speakers
Mine are better than any PA speakers. Come to that, and I'd rather listen
to the streaming Boston Symphony on Internet radio from WCRB in Boston
than attend a SR'd concert.
When they start amplifying orchestras and bands, balances get all screwed
up. First, the musicians never learn how to balance themselves for the
audience.
They are not supposed to. They are supposed to play as normal and
let the sound guys figure out the rest.
The piano, for example, should have the lid open and the sound
coming toward the audience, not shut and stuffed with microphones.
Actually pianos are designed to be played either way. Can't say that
I have ever been to a concert where the mic was shoved under a
closed lid though.
The
dynamics should be determined by th musicians, not the sound reinforcement
engineer. As soon as the microphones are introduced, the musicians will
start playing to them instead of to us.
Are you talking about orchestras? I have never seen that. And
orchestras are routinely miked at concerts for archival purposes. I
have never seen an orchestra change their positioning to play to
microphones. Their posture is a pretty important part of how they
play their instruments.
I have seen the horn section playing
with the bell of the horn facing the floor, either through lack of
showmanship or because of the damn microphones.
That is how the French horn is supposed to be played.
https://www.google.com/search?q=fren...w=1600&bih=741
When have you ever seen one played with the bell facing out?
I have, once. Many years ago (I was still in high-school), I attended
a U.S.Navy Band concert in The State Department Auditorium in
Washington D.C. It was winter, so they couldn't play outside, at the
Watergate, like they did in the summer months. Anyway the band was
playing a suite from Richard Rogers' magnificent score for the early
1950's TV documentary, "Victory At Sea" There was one part
('Guadalcanal March'?) where all the french horn players stood up,
held their horns over their heads so that the bells pointed at the
audience and played a fanfare. Anyway it was quite spectacular, but I
haven't seen it again since.