By Full Compass LiveIt’s said that in springtime, a young man’s thoughts turn to...upcoming summer concert season. Well, that isn’t actually what the cliché says, but it is a reminder that with liveDefinition:
Live broadcast of an event or program without substantial delay or editing. sound season approaching rapidly, it’s good to be prepared for whatever a gig throws at you. In that spirit, we’ve selected five products under $50 that could save a gig, simplify your life, or maybe even prevent you from catching a cold.
Don’t Cut the Cable—Test It!
Sure, there are lots of cable testers on the market. But the Elite Core Audio OSP CT-04C Premium Cable Tester gets the nod for being “essential” because it checks connection and continuity for both audio and dataDefinition:
Information used by a computer in order to arrive at a decision. Although this is a plural term, it's often treated in the singular. cables—XLR mic cables, TRSDefinition:
(Tip Ring Sleeve) Phone style connector. 3 conductor (Stereo) originally 1/4" diameter, also 1/8" and smaller and the TT style for patchbays. Used for headphones and patching. instrument cables, Speaker cables, Speakon (2, 4, and 8 pole) cables, MIDIDefinition:
(Musical Instrument Digital Interface) A hardware/software standard for communication of musical data digitally among electronic instruments, effects, and computers. However it is also used for to control lighting, pyrotechnics, theatrical displays, and mechanical devices. For example, the fountains at the Bellagio in Las Vegas is controlled by MIDI. Also called MIDI 1.0. cables, 1/8"Definition:
3.5mm mini phone connector, which is sometimes referred to by the close non-metric 1/8 inch dimension. TRS (3.5mmDefinition:
A popular, small audio connector. Used for many headphones and line-level stereo applications, as well as smartphones.), RJ-45 CAT5e, USBDefinition:
(Universal Serial Bus) A standard, bi-directional serial connection between computers and peripheral devices., DINDefinition:
DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung): A German national organization for standardization., 3 -in DMXDefinition:
DMX (Digital MultipleX): A method for controlling multiple channels of lighting or effects via a single data cable. DMX512 stands for controlling 512 channels digitally via a single cable., and 5-Pin DMX. It also checks each connection of the cable, so you can tell if maybe it’s the hot wire that came loose from the XLR plugDefinition:
A connector, normally male and attached to a cable. rather than the cold wire. What’s more, the heavy-duty, metal construction makes the CT-04C live sound-friendly as well as handy for more sheltered applications like recording, rehearsing, and Houses of Worship.
When time is money, it’s a good idea to check a cable first and know for sure whether it’s the source of a problem (and if it’s not, that something else is setting you up for a sonic disaster). A tester like the OSP CT-04C is a no-brainer addition to any gig bag.
But What If the Problem Isn’t the Cable?
To check your mic preamp, control settings, signal flow, and more, you need a multi-function test tone generator. So you reach into your pocket, and find that...there isn’t one. But there could be, if you had a GTC Industries Tone Plug. This packs an 11-function test generator into an XLR male connector and generates five selectable (or automatically stepped) sine waves at 100 HzDefinition:
Abbreviation for Hertz. Unit of measurement for frequency, formerly called CPS (Cycles Per Second), that measures periodic waves, audio and radio frequencies, and mechanical repetitive motion. Example: 1000 Hz means a periodic waveform has 1000 cycles/vibrations per second., 250Definition:
Stereo sound with 2 speakers and no subwoofer. Hz, 400 Hz, 1 kHzDefinition:
Abbreviation for Kilohertz: 1,000 Hertz, or one thousand cycles per second., and 10 kHz. It also offers a VLF 40/2400Hz combo tone for testing subwoofers and crossovers, an amplitudeDefinition:
The volume (Amount) of a signal, electrical, optical or acoustic. sweep function for adjusting dynamicsDefinition:
In a musical performance, changes in overall volume levels, often accompanied by timbral changes. Example: Classical symphonic music has a wide dynamic range, while dance mixes have a much narrower dynamic range. processors and setting levels, a short duration/multifrequency “pop” pulse for adjusting speaker time delays (as well as delayDefinition:
A device that outputs and input signal some time later. This can be short for echo effects, longer for matching speaker stacks, or aligning sound and video. processors like echoDefinition:
A repeat of an audio signal. or reverbDefinition:
Short for Reverberation. The myriad echoes of decaying amplitude created in an acoustic environment. Reverberation may be simulated electronically, mechanically using springs or a metal plate, or in a specially built physical chamber with reflective surfaces where a speaker sends audio into the chamber, and a microphone picks up the reflections.), and a sweep tone for tracing wiring in racks and buildings. It also checks mic cables, and has an LEDDefinition:
LED (Light-Emitting Diode): A semiconductor light generator used in displays, television, pointers and for general illumination. It is a low-power replacement for incandescent lamps. to show that phantom powerDefinition:
A source of power for a microphone (usually condenser) that travels to the microphone over the microphone's cable. There are different voltage standards and requirements for different microphones, but the most common standard is 48 Volts. It derives its name because there is no visible power cable. is present (which is also what powers the Tone Plug). Using it is easy: push a button to step through the five main sine tones, or push and hold to enter the world of alternative functions. This could be the best investment you ever make when you need to set up a system, or trace down a problem, as quickly and easily as possible.
Practice Safe Mic
You don’t have to be a germophobe to realize what happens to a mic’s pop screen when a lot of singers share a mic, or the same mic gets used week after week in rehearsals, church services, and the like. (And we won’t even discuss karaoke...okay?) The main issue in sanitizing mics is that they’re delicate and expensive, so you don’t want to be spraying something into them. Although you could unscrew the top, clean it with alcohol, dry it off, and screw it back on again, that’s a hassle when the clock is counting down on the next act starting its set. Microphome mic cleaner is different: it’s a foam that you apply to the mic’s screen. The foam doesn’t get past the screen, so it doesn’t touch the mic element itself. Instead, the foam sits on the screen, disinfects it, and then dissipates in about two minutes, leaving nothing behind other than a hint of cherry vanilla scent. The 50 ml bottle is good for about 100 applications.
If the lead singer for Kill All Zombies was using the mic you’re about to sing into as soon as you climb onstage, it might be a good idea to disinfect the mic and is a lot less expensive than health insurance.
Solve the Pre-Show/Break/Post-Show Music Problem
Uh-oh...a storm is coming, and the band is going to have to get offstage for a bit. Or they’re late and you need pre-show music to sooth the restless crowd. Or you want to play something to accompany people as they walk out of the venue...maybe even something annoying so they’ll clear out sooner, and you can go home. But nothing has a CDDefinition:
CD (Compact Disc): An optical-based, disc-shaped digital recording and playback medium. player anymore! No problem: Plug the Alto BluetoothDefinition:
A short distance (less than 33 feet) wireless data transfer standard. Total into an XLR input (mixerDefinition:
Combiner, controller, and router for multiple audio or video signals., powered speaker, preamp, etc.), dial up some music from your phone or tablet, and you’re covered. The Bluetooth Total has a rechargeable batteryDefinition:
An assembly of series-wired cells that provides higher voltages than individual cells., or you can AC-power it from the included (yes, we said included) power adapter.
To Protect and to Serve
Rack drawers are wonderful. They’re great for adapters, cables, accessories, and even manuals so you can remember how to reset your mixer (hint: during power-up, hold down three different buttons that are impossible to reach with one hand, while spinning around in a counterclockwise direction and invoking the name of Maximus, the Roman god of loud concerts). But sometimes you need to place some delicate items in the drawer, like voltmeters, cameras, phones, etc.—and you don’t want them bouncing around the drawer while being transported from one venue to the next, or damaged when you open and close the drawer. So take a cueDefinition:
1. (verb) Monitoring and getting a program event ready to go, or direction to talent to commence a program or portion of a program. 2. (noun) A particular piece of music in a video, film, or TV score associated with a particular on-screen event. from the photographers whose cases protect their cameras, and protect your gearDefinition:
Musical or performance equipment. with
