Speaking & ConsultingAudio and the iPod For PerformersCopyright © 2008 Tim Cimbura Updated audio interview with Tim for Kidshow Kaleidoscope Magazine with Steve Taylor 2006. LISTEN HERE All performers need a good audio/sound system for including music in their programs. After years of performing and keeping up on the latest technical advances, I've found some really excellent quality, flexible, easy-to-use, and cost-effective solutions. The main technical things you need to look at concerning audio in shows are:
This article will concentrate item 3--the sound source for your music and a way to control it. The Sound Source Some of your sound source options are tape cassette, CD, mini-disc, and MP3 players. I highly recommend the Apple iPod (an MP3/AAC music player) as your sound source for shows. There are high-end sound systems available and specifically designed for entertainers to control their own sound like the MiniTech/ShowTech <www.wirelesswizardry.com> and the Virtual Soundman <www.virtualsoundman.com>. Compared to the system I describe here, these units have the advantages of fade in/out, a LED song # display, longer remote control distance, and ankle switch or foot pedal operation. In the past, these systems worked with mini-disc players only. Now they are also available for use with an iPod. Even so, I think the simpler iPod system I describe below is a better choice than these high-end systems (especially to start with) or the low-end choice of tape cassettes. Here's why:
Nearly everyone has seen the Apple iPod on a TV commercial or on a passer-by when you recognize the distinctive white earbuds. It is the premier device for playing music today. There are several kinds available. At the low end you have the "iPod Shuffle" that looks like a stick of gum (with no display), then the "iPod mini" (smaller), the original iPod, and finally the "iPod Photo" (with image display capability). They have varying capacities for how many songs they can hold, options, and cost. Purchasing the Gear The iPod Shuffle is too limited for performing situations. Any of the other newer iPods with a dock connector will work great for doing shows. You only need the ability to store a few hours of music, so even the smallest capacity iPod will work. The iPod Photo has the unique capability to connect to a TV monitor. You could even use it to drive slide shows or music lyrics on a big screen projector. The iPod cost can vary from $150-$400 depending on what you want. You can find iPods at MacMall online, The Apple Store, Target, Best Buy, and other retailers. To use an iPod, you must also have a decent computer that you use to store all your music. It needs at least as much free disk space as the iPod and should have a CD writer. Even though the iPod is manufactured by Apple Computer, the iPod works perfectly with a Macintosh or Windows computer. If you're looking for a computer system recommendation for iTunes and your business or ministry, contact my consulting business at <www.cimbura.com>. The following cables are essential to making your iPod music system work well (Radio Shack Part Numbers and Prices as of 4/26/05 <www.radioshack.com>): [1] Right angle adapter for 1/8" stereo jack (274-0372) $3.99 The diagram below shows you how these cables fit together. A recent innovation makes the iPod even better for doing shows. Using the Griffin AirClick, you can control the iPod at a distance from a pocket-sized remote control. Not all remote controls are created equal. Griffin is currently the only one that works on radio waves. It does not require a line-of-sight between you and the iPod like other infrared-based remotes do. <www.griffintechnology.com> The AirClick costs about $45 with shipping. Be sure to get the one that matches your iPod (mini or standard).
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Getting and Organizing Your Music iTunes is the software that you use to manage and organize your music on the computer. It is included with your iPod and runs on a Macintosh or Windows. There are two ways to get music for your iPod: purchase it from the iTunes Music Store for about 99 cents/song or "rip" the music into your computer from CDs you already own. Ripping is a process that converts songs from CDs you own into formats the computer can put on your player (like MP3 or AAC). For the purposes of entertainment music and sound effects, I suggest purchasing royalty free CDs of background music. Duane Laflin sells several quality CDs <www.laflinmagic.com>. These CDs can be legally used in nearly any situation because you purchase a special license to use them when you buy the CD. To rip the CD, you place it into the computer. iTunes will search for the song titles on the internet and display them if it finds them. You then drag tracks from the CD to the iTunes library so they are stored on the computer. iTunes will allow you to create multiple playlists for each show that you do with music in different order or even repeated songs. For example, I create playlists for "Kids Show", "Christian Show", "Warm Up Music", etc. To do this, choose New Playlist from the iTunes menu, enter a name, and then drag songs from your existing library into the play list in the order you desire. After you've loaded your computer with songs and put them into playlists, you connect your iPod to the computer and copy a selection or all of your music to your iPod so you can take it with you on the road. Using the iPod in Performance For many of the programs that I do it is a "one-man show" so to speak. There is often no sound person available nor is there the opportunity or necessity to have a full rehearsal or run through of the program before hand. Doing so would be overkill or cost prohibitive. So this solution works great in these situations that are similar for many performers. Many times it is just easier if I can control all of the sound myself. It saves training someone your cues and ensures that it will get done right. On the down side, it is more work for you but it can be minimized by using fewer cues. I mount my iPod right on my table using a strip of heavy duty Velcro on the back of the iPod and another strip on an L bracket that is attached with a wing nut. Then I can adjust the volume and change the song easily by viewing the screen. The AirClick plugs into the iPod first (optional). Then a [1] right angle adapter connects the audio out jack to a [2] stereo extension cable. A [3] Y cable converts that to two RCA jacks and the RCA jacks are mixed with another [4] Y cable into one mono 1/4 inch plug which can be plugged into most PA systems. You can use a "direct box" Whirlwind model EDB1 or Stewart Electronics model ADB-1 if you want to connect your iPod to a professional microphone cable. This is referred to as plugging into the "house" system and avoids the necessity of carrying an amplifier with you. It's illustrated in the diagram above. Using the AirClick, you can start your music program easily, go to the next song, or control the volume without even going to your table. If you are willing to forego seeing the display during your program, you can even have the iPod offstage or in the sound booth up to 60 feet away. (I found the range of the AirClick was only 5-10 feet due to the fact that I have the older original iPod Photo. Hopefully, there will be a fix from Apple for this issue.) You can reliably use the AirClick no matter what next to your table or from behind a backdrop. It has easy to use controls and may be less distracting than looking at the iPod display during your program. Follow these steps to get the music ready for your show:
During your program, you will change the volume during music-only segments, pause the music during silent parts, and jump ahead to the next song when you have a trick that requires specific music. Practice these cues and know them well so you can smoothly execute them when necessary. One thing I learned from experience: Make sure your iPod is not in "shuffle" mode. Otherwise, it will play songs in a random order. It makes for a disconcerting performance experience. A Backup Plan Backups are important with all technology. What happens if the iPod should fail because the battery is low, etc.? I suggest using iTunes to burn a CD of your music from your program play list. Then you can still perform with the same music in the same order. A CD player is available almost anywhere. Another option would be to have a second less expensive iPod available for backup with the same songs loaded on it. I also carry a duplicate set of cables in case one should get damaged. If you are unable to change the songs yourself during the program, you can have a sound person follow a cue sheet and play the songs from your iPod into their sound system at the main mixing board. In this case it is also important to have a CD available. Conclusion There you have it. This article gives you some excellent options for a sound source in your program...and it won't cost you an arm and a leg. You've also learned how to use it during a performance situation. Have fun and continually strive for excellence! For more details on how to use iTunes on your computer get a recent copy of one of the books below.
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