A Sound and Video Production Company
TL;DR: Remix your audio files on the fly in Qlab, building loops and vamps. The Story: This is a topic that I was discussing with my friend Matt the other day. Everyone who has used Qlab has used it to play back sound files. Its quick and easy to get comfortable, and trim files to …
I’ve had to teach about live sound in so many ways to various audiences over the years. I have always felt that an understanding, however cursory, of the past and development of the tools we currently have is key in understanding how and why we use them. Like graphic design and desktop publishing (a field …
TL;DR: Change the audio levels of multiple cues in Qlab with a single command. The Story: As you get deeper into the design process, you may find that once you get into the space, you designed a set of cues too loud or too quiet. Perhaps you would like to change a number of audio …
Continue reading “Changing audio levels of multiple cues in Qlab”
TL;DR: Modern technology offers more and more musicians more and more options…with some new unforeseen issues, and a chance to re-use those monitor wedges. The Story: Years ago, my band Talking to Walls made a huge leap to what felt like the next level. We spent a lot of money to work with people bigger …
Continue reading “Silence on stage: In-ear monitors and modeling guitar rigs”
TL;DR: Embrace spontaneity – and actor performances – by using triggers and randomly generated cues in Qlab. The Story: Here’s a funny story I like to share. Back in the early 1990s, one of the biggest bands on the planet was U2. Their tour behind the album “Achtung Baby” – called Zoo TV – was …
Continue reading “Random triggers in Qlab, and embracing spontaneity”
TL;DR: QLab can have more than one GO button. Here is why that’s a good thing. The Story: I realized that, in the course of this blog, I have talked a lot about using hotkeys and triggers in QLab. While I have sometimes explained how to do that, I wanted to put out the definitive …
I work with a lot of students, across a few schools. I count myself lucky to be able to share with them what I know – as well as learn a lot from them. Many have become just “younger peers” because I like to work collaboratively, even if I am driving the design. Last month …
Continue reading “A Brush-up on Basics – some helpful posts on Qlab and workflow”
TL;DR: Use the PDF version of your script/prompt book while running your live show. The Story: Last week’s blog post has already covered creating digital prompt books in detail – here I am going to show how I have worked those PDFs into my live show workflow. For following your prompt book during the show, you …
Continue reading “Actually using that digital script/prompt book”
TL;DR: Ditch paper scripts/prompt books for computer copies. Never lose or forget your script again, and guess what – it’s BACKLIT! The Story: I design in a lot of different theatres, often with overlapping schedules. This is a common designer dilemma. There was one time I had six shows opening within a six week window! …
Continue reading “Digital play scripts/prompt books are here!”
This month, we are going to post around the theme of cues and scripts – numbering systems, digital scripts/prompt books, Applescripts for Qlab that will turn the pages of those scripts, and more. Here are the topics we will be looking at: Cue numbering, and playing well with others Digital play scripts/prompt books are here! …
Continue reading “September is Cue and Script Month on the Rocktzar blog!”
