= Audio Preparation for a Concert

This is what needs to happen before the day of the concert. See ConcertSetup for what needs to happen on the day of the concert.

The following items need to be prepared ahead of the concert:

1. Concert order. This is a list of songs that are going to be performed at the concert. If there are two (or more) performances in one day, they may have different sets of songs. This list is prepared by the director (Henric) and published because all participants need to know its contents.
2. The solos (i.e., which songs have instrument solos and vocal solos, and when a song has multiple soloists, how many there are). This list is also generally prepared by Henric and sent to the audio engineer.
3. Microphone assignments. Generally prepared by the audio engineer.
4. Mixer input and output assignments. Prepared by the audio engineer.
5. List of instruments/orchestra members that will be present.

== Assemble Equipment

Given the performers attending and who will be mic'd, the required equipment can be figured out. TSC always brings all of its equipment to each concert, however this equipment may not be sufficient depending on desired mic set.

The variable equipment is procured, stored and brought to the concert by Oleg, and can contain:

- Additional USB interfaces for recording with associated cables and power supplies.
- Additional microphones. Microphones always come with clips.
- Microphone clamp mounts.
- Additional XLR and 1/4" cables.
- Additional power amplifiers and speakers with associated cables and power supplies.

== Show Setup

The mixer configuration can be prepared ahead of time and uploaded to the mixer at the concert. The configuration is done in Master Fader app and is associated with a "show".

The following needs to be configured:

1. (Input) channel assignments. These are normally the same as microphone assignments. This involves:
   - Name each channel.
   - Set EQ and HPF for each channel. Vocal channels get a generic vocal EQ.
   - For solo vocal channels, set compressors.
   - For mic'd instruments, set gates. Gates are not needed on direct input channels (keyboards, electric instruments).
   - Set mic preamp gain for each channel. The values to be used are under development.
1. VCAs. These depend on the instruments present and how the choir is mic'd. Normally there is at least one VCA for all of the choir mics being actually used at the concert, to bring the level of choir up or down. If shotgun mics are used, they get their own VCA. Instrument groups can get VCAs if there are multiple instruments of the same kind (for example, 3 violins).
1. AUX output assignments. These are generally the same for each concert. Each AUX output goes to one of the monitors.
1. EQ and HPF for main output. Normally the HPF is the same for all concerts. EQ should be reset to flat before the concert, it is adjusted to reduce feedback at the concert.
1. USB output routing. Each input has to be routed to a USB output. If fewer than 32 inputs are being used, main output and monitor outputs can be routed to unused USB outputs for post-concert inspection.
1. A pair of AUX outputs should be set up as "house". These start out mirroring main left & right outputs. If the house sound engineer wishes to have pre-fader output there, this can be changed during the concert.

== Assemble Production Equipment

This is equipment that Oleg brings to each concert no matter who is being reinforced or recorded.

- iPad for controlling the mixer.
- Headphones, extension cable, 3.5 mm to 1/4" adapter.
- Audio-Technica Pro/88W wireless system.
- Laptop for recording audio to, USB cable.