Resource Stage

Audio Mixers 101

back by popular demand!

Claus Frostell

Allen & Heath Canada

A staple seminar on the Resource Stage seminar list this seminar will cover the basics of the audio mixer. Looking at every jack, knob, fader and output we will explore how the signal flow works in a professional audio mixer. Joining us for this seminar are representatives from Allen & Heath. Using A&H GL2400 mixer as a base we will be talking about how different mixers have slight variances. This seminar is perfect for anyone looking to expand their knowledge of how audio mixers work.

Theatrical Lighting Design

a professional's approach to theatrical lighting design

Renee Brode

professional lighting designer

Theatrical lighting design is part art and part technical. In order to be successful in the world of theatrical lighting design you must understand both sides of the job. You must be able to read beyond the playwright's notes and apply the director's vision. All of this must happen through the manipulation of theatrical lighting tools much of which was designed almost 50 years ago. Renee Brode is one of Canada's premier freelance lighting designers. She has worked with the Grand Theatre (London) for a number of their shows over the last few years and this year is no exception. In November & December 2010 the Grand will present Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat featuring the lighting design by Renee Brode. This seminar is a must for amateur lighting designers as well as teachers and students. Everyone is welcome!

Special Effects for the Stage

great effects are predictable effects

Ian Forster

Ultratec Special Effects

Special effects are easy to do, but harder to do right. Or at least harder to do right. Unless of course you have the right tools... the right knowledge and the right way of controlling the effect. So I guess it's not that hard if you take the time to do it right. Ultratec (formally LeMaitre) are professionals when it comes to special effects. Theme parks and movie sets around the world use special effects like fog, haze and confetti from this manufacturer located right here in South Western Ontario. This is a great seminar for teachers, students and community theatre folks however anyone who's interested is welcome!

Microphones

How they work and how to use them.

TBA

Microphones are funny things. You can buy a mic for $10 and according to the propaganda on the packaging it will pickup all sounds just as they are produced in the real world. But that just can't be true. Why are there so many differences in prices, styles, qualities etc? The truth is that there is a real science to microphone design. And this is not a dead science. New microphones are being developed all the time. The renewed interest in Ribbon Microphones is just one example of how this technology continues to evolve. This seminar will look at how microphones work, the different styles of microphones as well as how to us microphones for different applications. This is a great seminar for teachers, students, church operators, theatre techs and musicians. Everyone is welcome!

Microphones

How they work and how to use them.

TBA

Microphones are funny things. You can buy a mic for $10 and according to the propaganda on the packaging it will pickup all sounds just as they are produced in the real world. But that just can't be true. Why are there so many differences in prices, styles, qualities etc? The truth is that there is a real science to microphone design. And this is not a dead science. New microphones are being developed all the time. The renewed interest in Ribbon Microphones is just one example of how this technology continues to evolve. This seminar will look at how microphones work, the different styles of microphones as well as how to us microphones for different applications. This is a great seminar for teachers, students, church operators, theatre techs and musicians. Everyone is welcome!

Outboard Audio Equipment & Recording

a close look at compressors, gates, effects & recording

Warren Cooper

audio guy and recording guy

One of the most misunderstood parts of audio is the outboard equipment. Often people will have difficulties with anything from the way they plug into the mixer right through to how you get the settings right. This seminar will look at how outboard equipment like compressors and gates work as well as effects. We will also be spending some time looking at how to get a good multi track recording from your live event. This is a good seminar for church audio technicians and operators as well as teachers and students. Everyone is welcome!

LED Technology for the Stage

are LEDs everything they say they are?

Carl Lukings

Horizon Solutions

For a number of years now we have been hearing about how LED technology is going to change the way we do shows. And it's happened. Over the last 5 years there have been great strides in LED technology. The dimming is getting better as is the control and colour mixing. We're going to spend this seminar looking at a number of LED fixtures from different manufacturers to see what makes a good LED fixture for the stage. This is a great seminar for anyone who is thinking of using LED lighting for their stage, studio or auditorium. Everyone is welcome!

Running a successful sound check / rehearsal

Al Mills & Bob Luciano

Two guys who know about music and tech.

Have you ever noticed it can be a constant battle between the musicians and the techs? It doesn't even have to be musicians and sound operators... sometimes it's actors and the lighting guys. In this seminar we're going to tackle this age old conflict head on. We're hoping to get musicians and technicians a like into the same room to discuss both sides of the story. How do we find middle ground between the two sides? It should be a great discussion. Everyone is welcome!

Outboard Audio Equipment & Recording

a close look at compressors, gates, effects & recording

Warren Cooper

audio guy and recording guy

One of the most misunderstood parts of audio is the outboard equipment. Often people will have difficulties with anything from the way they plug into the mixer right through to how you get the settings right. This seminar will look at how outboard equipment like compressors and gates work as well as effects. We will also be spending some time looking at how to get a good multi track recording from your live event. This is a good seminar for church audio technicians and operators as well as teachers and students. Everyone is welcome!

Video Projectors 101

a closer look at a technology we all use but few understand.

Sanyo Canada

Video projectors are almost as common as sound systems in churches, schools and theatres these days. We're now seeing most of our clients who purchased projectors over the last 10 years looking at upgrading their systems for the first or second time. As the technology changes, becomes more readily available and prices drop the purchasing decisions become clouded. In the past organizations would spend months and tens of thousands of dollars on finding the right projector. Today the flier in the newspaper lists a dozen different projectors available at the local big box store. Buy how do you know what to buy? This seminar is going to look closely at how projectors work. What to look for in a quality video projector and what you need to think about as you put together your system. This is a good seminar for church technicians, school AV techs and theatre AV techs.

Video Projection Systems

what goes into a video system design

Richard Ridge

Kramer Canada - Video System Specialist

It's one thing to plug a computer directly into a projector or an LCD display. It's another thing to distribute this video and other video sources throughout a facility. Horizon Solutions has spent a number of years designing and installing video systems for churches, businesses, schools and other institutions. There are a number of things to think about when converting signals, dealing with wiring and planning out your system. In this seminar we are going to look at what components go into a properly designed video system.

Monitors and In-Ear Monitors

take control of the stage volume

Guest Speaker TBA

Taking control of the stage volume in your school or concert venue is not easy. Sometimes it's even more difficult in churches. Professional and amateur musicians alike often want to hear a mix on stage that is louder, more bassy and less controlled than what the operator wants to hear. The battle really begins when one musician can not hear their mix because another musician has their mix too loud. This is a very big topic and one which we can't really explore completely in 2 hours however we're going to look at some different techniques you can use to help take control of the stage volume while looking as well at different stage monitors and in-ear monitors as possible solutions. Everyone is welcome.

Monitors and In-Ear Monitors

take control of the stage volume

Guest Speaker TBA

Taking control of the stage volume in your school or concert venue is not easy. Sometimes it's even more difficult in churches. Professional and amateur musicians alike often want to hear a mix on stage that is louder, more bassy and less controlled than what the operator wants to hear. The battle really begins when one musician can not hear their mix because another musician has their mix too loud. This is a very big topic and one which we can't really explore completely in 2 hours however we're going to look at some different techniques you can use to help take control of the stage volume while looking as well at different stage monitors and in-ear monitors as possible solutions. Everyone is welcome.