[il-talk] NFBI Audio Meeting Notes

Sat Sep 26 20:35:15 UTC 2015

I'm willing to help out plus I'm willing to run the mike during sessions. Gina Falvo

Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 25, 2015, at 8:00 AM, Byron J. Lee via il-talk <il-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> People in attendance:
> Byron
> Bill Rief
> Debbie Pittman
> Marco
> 
> People who have confirmed they can help out:
> Byron
> Bill Rief
> Debbie Pittman
> Marco
> Steve Hastalis
> Patti Chang
> Francisco Chang
> Denise Avant
> Debbie Stein
> Dave Meyer (if he comes)
> 
> Other potential volunteers:
> Julia Chang
> Glenn Moore
> Cathy Randall
> Robert Gardner
> Jamal Powell
> Linda Hendle
> Katie Leinum
> Debbie Birmingham
> Edward Birmingham
> Cathy Stepp
> Jessie Rodgers
> Bruce Paul
> Dan Dwyer
> James Dickman
> Kurt Dickman
> Brian Sumner
> Austin Mages
> 
> If anyone who wishes to volunteer is not listed here, please contact Byron and he will make sure you have something to do on the Audio Committee. If a Question Mark is next to your name Byron will contact you to see if you can do the job. If anyone else wants to volunteer please let us know!
> 
> 
> Byron's contact info is:
> byron at byronlee.com
> 773 633 4799
> 
> Backup Contact for Audio:
> Steve 773 848 5307
> 
> Byron has priced out a new mixer and wireless microphone system. We are awaiting a decision on which mixer and wireless microphone the budget can accomodate.
> 
> The Behringer Xenyx X2442USB is a 10 mic input mixer for $349.99.
> 
> The Behringer Eurodesk SX2442FX is a 16 mic input mixer for $499.99.
> 
> The Audio-Technica System 10 Digital Wireless single microphone system is $299.
> 
> The Audio-Technica System 10 Digital Wireless dual microphone system is $799.
> 
> Patti Chang has asked the hotel if we can get a dedicated login for wi-fi again this year. Bill Reif will bring an ethernet cord if we need one.
> 
> Debbie Pittman will re-label snake cables if any of the labels fell off since last year.
> 
> Byron to connect with IABS Idol to get music.
> 
> Byron arriving between 7:30 and 8:30 depending on transportation.
> 
> Thursday Night Setup (Starting at 8-ish, couldn't hurt to show up early!)
> 
> Tear down and set-up are the two biggest jobs, we need all the volunteers we can get. If you were not on the conference call and would like to help please make a point to show up to either Set-Up or Tear Down!
> 
> Jobs To Be Done:
> 
> 1. Unload and Sort Equipment (Byron, Bill, Marco, Patti, Francisco, Steve Hastalis, Debbie Pittman, Debbie Stein, Glenn Moore? Cathy Randall?)
> Steps: Help Chang family unload and deliver audio equipment to the main room, unpack and sort equipment, untangle loose wires, re-wrap loose wires, assist in any lifting or moving of heavy equipment to proper spot of the room.
> 
> 2. Set Up Microphone Stands (Steve, Bill, Marco, Byron, Glenn? Robert Hansen?)
> Steps: Unfold mic stands, put on clips, put mics in clips, plug mics in, run cables to the snake, plug mics into snake while keeping tabs on which mic went into which input of snake, run snake to the audio table. (you will have to get creative about running cables under table skirts and under the stage)
> 
> 3. Set Up Speakers (Bill, Marco, Byron, Steve, Glenn?)
> Steps: Set up speaker stands, put speakers on stands, plug speakers in, run cable between speakers and audio table (you will have to get creative about running cables behind the stage)
> 
> 4. Cable Tapedown (Byron, Bill, Debbie Stein?)
> Steps: Tape down excess cable between audio table and mic snake, tape down cable between speakers and audio table. Tape down extension cables between audio table and power outlet if any.
> 
> 5. Audio Table Hook-Up (Debbie Pittman, Byron, Bill, Marco, Steve, Glenn?)
> Steps: Hook up mics to mixer careful to note which mics are going into which inputs (these should match the numbers on the snake), hook up wireless mic, hook up external mixer and all external equipment for streaming, hook mixer up to amplifier, hook speakers up to amplifier, apply power and test.
> 
> 
> Morning Pre-Setup:
> 
> Jobs To Be Done:
> 
> 1. Inspection (Byron)
> Steps: Re-test everything, make sure all connections are tight and that nothing was forgotten.
> 
> 2. Last Minute Shopping (Francisco?)
> Steps: Drive to electronics or music store, buy or assist in buying any emergency last minute materials, deliver receipts from treasurer.
> 
> 3. Scheduling (Byron)
> Steps: Work with convention presenters and chief officers to accomidate any last minute changes in schedule, location, or other variables, assist in percuring equipment needed for presentations later in the weekend.
> 
> 
> Friday, Saturday and Sunday General Sessions:
> 
> Jobs To Be Done
> 
> 1. Mic Runner (Denise will ask for volunteers)
> Steps: Walk around the room and bring wireless microphone to people who wish to speak, change batteries when you suspect the mic is dying, bring mic to prize table when they want to draw names, keep track of the mic as it can go missing easily.
> 
> 2. Mic Adjuster (Denise will ask for volunteers)
> Steps: Watch the microphones or listen on headphones at audio table, adjust mics when they are knocked off kilter, adjust mic height or length depending on presenters' needs, check mic connection when and if a mic gets unplugged and is rendered unhearable.
> 
> 3. Video Manager (Nelly Gamino?)
> Steps: Acquire and set-up projector if not already done, help presenters hook up laptop or other playback device to projector (video or audio), run slideshows if presenter doesn't have a remote control, turn off projector when not being used, dim or raise the lights when needed. (projector may be needed in various rooms, so this job means you need to work with whoever needs the projector at any time)
> 
> 4. Audio Manager (Byron)
> Steps: Watch the stream for any dropping, monitor audio in headphones and adjust levels when required, keep all un-used mics down low to prevent excess noise or picking up whispering of people who don't wish to speak on the mic, keep an ear out for dropped channels or crackle, be prepared to play sound effects, audio clips, audio from videos, etc, provide audio cables to external devices such as Media Players and Laptops, talk and or play music during breaks or recess, alert those who may be walking near the audio table and direct them past it.
> 
> 
> Friday Evening (IABS Idol):
> 
> 1. Pre-IDOL Crew: (Byron, Marco, Bill)
> Steps: About an hour before IDOL, take 2 wired microphones and re-adjust them to serve as floor stands, rip up the cables and tape then back down, place wireless mic by the IABS area, where the MC will sit (MC and Judges will share wireless mic), test mixer, music playback and mics.
> 
> 2. Mic Adjuster (Julia?, Brianna?, Jimmie Dickman?)
> Steps: Re-adjust mic height if talent has trouble, adjust mic for sitting if needed, adjust mic for guitar/other instrument and singing if needed, fix mic or mic stand if it falls over or breaks, change batteries in wireless mic if it starts to die, assist in locating the wireless mic if and when it gets lost.
> 
> 3. DJ (Byron)
> Steps: Monitor microphone level, play music, queue up special sound effects if needed, search for or download last minute requests, assist in any other IDOL needs.
> 
> 4. DJ Assistant (Marco)
> Steps: Download last minute requests and listen to them to make sure they are good copies, transfer them to DJ via Dropbox, communicate with MC if DJ is busy, take over DJing if DJ has to pee or is otherwise occupied, assist in all IDOL DJing duties.
> 
> 5. Post-IDOL Crew (Byron, Marco)
> Steps: Move 2 floor mics to table, reconfigure them for table mode, tape the mics back down, replace wireless mic battery regardless of battery level (better safe than sorry), make sure room is ready for Saturday event.
> 
> 
> Special Events Audio Needs:
> 
> Parents of Blind Children Breakfast: Room A? (Byron will use his iPhone to Stream, Bill to record with VR Stream)
> 
> Student Breakfast: Room A? (Byron will use his iPhone to Stream, Bill to record with VR Stream)
> 
> IABS Luncheon: Main Room (Using main audio table equipment)
> 
> Parents Seminar: Room A? (Hotel Audio, no stream or recording)
> 
> Teen Scene: Room C? (Marco, Dave Meyer?)
> 
> NFBI Kid Kamp (No Audio, No Stream, No Recording)
> 
> Post-Convention Tear-Down Crew:
> 
> (Byron, Marco, Bill, Steve, Debbie Pittman, Patti, Fransico, Julia Chang? Cathy Randall? Glenn?)
> 
> Jobs To Be Done
> 
> 1. Mic Dis-assemblers
> Steps: Unplug mics and take the out of the clips, place mics in bubble wrap, untape and wrap cables, put cables in plastic bin, remove clips and put with mics if possible, if not put them in their own bag, unscrew tri-pods and fold up, tighten screws, place tri-pods back in vinyl bags, zipper them up and place near plastic bins, untape audio snake and disconnect from board, wrap snake and place in plastic bin (wrap it in bubble wrap if possible), look around for any audio equipment that may be laying around and make sure it doesn't belong to the hotel before packing it.
> 
> 2. Speaker Dis-assemblers
> Steps: Unplug speakers, take speakers off stands, fold stands, remember to loosen screws and tighten them once folded again, place stands in vinyl bags, untape speaker cable, disconnect speakers from board, wrap cables, place in plastic bins, look around for any audio equipment that may be laying around and make sure it doesn't belong to the hotel before packing it.
> 
> 3. Board Disconnect: Unplug all cables from board, check with Byron to make sure some of the cables don't belong to him, wrap cables, stow loose adapters in plastic box, unplug power BUT do not unplug power until Byron has his laptop packed as he may be saving audio files and power loss may result in damaged files, pack all cables and adapters in plastic bins, pack mixer and amplifier in seperate plastic bins to distribute weight, be careful to keep everything organized and neatly wrapped, avoid putting cables or adapters that go together in seperate bins, look around for any audio equipment that may be laying around and make sure it doesn't belong to the hotel before packing it.
> 
> 4. Re-Sort, Pack, and Load Equipment
> Steps: If equipment is placed in bags or bins where they don't belong repack them, manage space appropriately in bins, pack everything that can be in bubble wrap or protective packing, nothing heavy should go on top, help load bins or other heavy equipment onto the cart, help load the Chang family vehicle with bins and other equipment.
> 
> 5. Chicago Equipment (Steve and Patti will coordinate to make sure it gets taken back to Changs home, Patti will bring to December meeting)
> Steps: This equipment is on loan from the Chicago Chapter and is needed for their local meetings, if it is not already packed and accounted for please do so, open case and double check that all peices of Chicago Chapter equipment are present. Make sure this equipment gets into the Chang Family vehicle.
> 
> 6. Hotel Equipment
> Steps: All hotel equipment must be returned to the hotel, make sure that none of it gets packed and that it is left somewhere where the hotel staff will find it.
> 
> 
> 
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