My Setup for using Tracks in the Theatre

[@EBrindle]

Hi Rob, interesting video, thank you. Can you clarify if FOH have control over the individual instruments too or if it is just you who does? I'd be really interested to know how you connect the band to FOH as you briefly mentioned towards the end of the video. Thank you in advance, Ewen.

[@MusicDirectorOnline]

Hi Ewen. In this set-up (and what I normally prefer when using tracks) is I send to FOH a mix of the tracks and what I am playing, hence the mixer I showed. I always feel I know the music better and therefore the best person to do that mix. However, it is down to the sound technical team to mix me and my track to the rest of the band. In this band there was a drummer that was miked, a lead guitar using his amp with an output to the FOH desk and a bass player with the same set-up. The FOH guys therefore have 4 inputs to mix (1 for each band member). How all that is fed to the desk and how we hear the vocals varies and usually down to the sound guys - hence my emphasis on ensuring they are notified in advance exactly what is my band will and they then decide how best it connects into their desk. Hope this helps. Rob

[@maxmcmahon5401]

Hi Rob, brilliant video as always. What kind of equipment do you use to trigger the backing/click? Do you just reach out to the space Bar of the laptop? I’ve seen trigger devices specialised for this in theatre (green button to start, red button to stop) but I can’t seem to find the name of that little magic box.

[@MusicDirectorOnline]

Hi Max. I know the sort of switch devices you mean but I suspect they are usually specifically made by those that know electronics far better than I do. Having said that, if you're using Mainstage you can easily programme any key or knob on any part of your setup to trigger the start of a track. You're right though, I just stick to using the space bar in this example of using QLab. Adding more devices is something I try and avoid..... more devices, more connections = more that can go wrong.!! Keep it simple is my advice :)

[@Peter23980]

Hi Rob - really helpful video. I’m about to head into a show week with a similar setup to you (Keys 1 / QLab). I have a Focusrite and that exact headphone amp. What model mixer do you use?

[@MusicDirectorOnline]

Hi Pete. Thanks for your comment, I'm pleased it helps. I use a Beringer XENYX 1202FX mixer. The FX bit means it has an effects processor built in but to be honest I would never use that in this setup. I just like Beringer products but any mixer that has at least 4 inputs will do the same thing i.e. send both a stereo track and a stereo keys 1 to the desk. Like I said in the video, I know the music better than anyone else and I don't want the sound guys deciding on the mix of keys and track....thats my domain :) Rob.

[@tanner6871]

Great video! I followed everything until you got to the headphone amplifier. I understand that the click goes into the headphone amp, but how do the tracks and RD800 sounds get to the headphones and does each person get their own mix?

[@tanner6871]

Also are you using the personal monitor or the headphones to monitor your performance?

[@MusicDirectorOnline]

Hi there. Glad you enjoyed and understood the setup. In answer to your question the tracks and vocals DON'T go through the headphone amp. The setup I prefer is only to send the click to the band through headphones (or in-ear personal monitoring), the rest is monitored through either a personal monitor (that I use) and wedge monitors for the rest of the band, that is sent from the desk. To have everything through headphones is another level of complication I try and avoid. Plus it's also much easier for band members to have ambient sound while playing. Hope this answers your question.

[@tomgobledrums]

hi rob, just wondered if we could maybe see a ‘day in the life of a theatre md’ video where you show us what a normal day looks like as an md! would love too see it.

[@MusicDirectorOnline]

Hi Tom. I'm semi-retired now so don't have a typical day unfortunately....or should I say fortunately!! But if there's any specific topics you'd want to know more about, let me know at [e-mail]

[@johneidson2905]

Where do you buy your multitracks from?

[@MusicDirectorOnline]

I don't John, I virtually always record my own. For musical theatre numbers there's more than sufficient information in the scores nowadays to know what orchestration is required.