Lesson Five - Tech - Revision history

ARTCVP: Added more tech to All Things ARTC

2026-05-04T18:01:07Z

Added more tech to All Things ARTC

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:01, 4 May 2026
Line 91:		Line 91:
	File:33 Mackie DFX6.jpg\|Mackie DFX 6. All analog XLR or quarter inch in or out. Connects to the main mixer so there is no amp. Does require its own power via Zip cord. Can provide optional phantom power to all mic channels. Typically used with the Show Cue Systems laptop using an external sound card which allows the SCS project to send multiple channels for easier mixing.		File:33 Mackie DFX6.jpg\|Mackie DFX 6. All analog XLR or quarter inch in or out. Connects to the main mixer so there is no amp. Does require its own power via Zip cord. Can provide optional phantom power to all mic channels. Typically used with the Show Cue Systems laptop using an external sound card which allows the SCS project to send multiple channels for easier mixing.
	</gallery>		</gallery>

			=== Lighting ===

			==== Instruments ====

			===== Incandescents =====
			<gallery>
			File:31 Par cans.png\|Par cans
			File:32 Fresnel.png\|Fresnel (pronounced Frenel)
			File:33 Ellipsoidal.png\|Ellipsoidal
			</gallery>

			===== LEDs =====
			<gallery>
			File:34 spots.png\|Spots
			File:35 floods.png\|Floods
			</gallery>

			===== Dimmer Packs =====
			<gallery>
			File:36 dimmer pack.jpg\|Microplex and DMX
			</gallery>Lighting is used at about 25% of shows and can make a big impact.

			=== Digital Recorders ===

			* Zoom
			* Roland
			<gallery>
			File:37 Tascam digital recorder.jpg\|Tascam
			</gallery>

			=== The rack ===
			<gallery>
			File:38 the rack.jpg\|The rack mount cabinet holds individual processors that can apply effects such as reverb. It also holds compressors, companders, and anti-feedback devices. It used to be a staple at shows, but newer boards have much of this functionality built in and so it isn't used a all anymore. We keep it around just in case.
			</gallery>

			=== Direct Boxes ===
			<gallery>
			File:39 direct box.jpg\|This is one type of Direct Box, but there are several others that are similar. They can be Active, Passive, Mono, or Stereo
			</gallery>

			=== Tackle Box ===
			<gallery>
			File:40 tackle box.jpg\|The tackle box has a wide vareity of connectors, adapters, and other smaller parts that occasionally come in handy.
			</gallery>

			=== Other Equipment ===

			* Laptops are often brought. Show Cue Systems runs on one, but we can also bring more if we want to do things like ensure a multi-track recording, read scripts that weren't printed out, and so forth.
			* Tripods
			* Effects Pedal - the Effects Pedal sits in the middle of the signal flow from the microphone to the board and gives on-stage performers access to specific effects on demand. We have used it effectively at shows such as ''War of the Worlds: The Untold Story'' and ''Terry Pratchett's Guards! Guards!''. An important note is that it does not allow phantom power to pass through, so you will need to use a microphone that doesn't require the 48V.
			* Keyboards/Musical instruments
			* CD Player - Used to be a staple of the setup and used to play recorded sound effects (we also used to use cassette tape decks). These have all been made obsolete by Show Cue Systems.
			* Tape
			** Gaff - less sticky than duct tape, excellent for taping down cables to prevent tripping.
			** Glow - not used as often, but can be good to mark things like the edge of the stage if things are dark.
			** Spike - more useful in stage productions than audio drama, it can be used to discreetly mark where an actor should stand or where a bit of set dressing might go during a scene change.
			** Gorilla - similar to gaff tape.
			** Masking - not used very often, but can be good for making a quick label for something.
			** Board - a white tape that can be put on a mixing board to help the operator remember which channels go to which input sources (mics red, yellow, orange, etc, keyboard, SCS, foley left, foley right, kick).

			You must know to whom equipment belongs so that it can find its way home in one good piece. Much of ARTC's equipment is labeled with the ARTC logo and eventually all of it will be. At larger converntions it's important not to mix ARTC equipment with equipment from MMI or other similar technical providers if at all possible, but sometimes things happen. We have some MMI stuff, MMI has some ARTC stuff, periodically we get together and trade it back to each other.

ARTCVP: Added disclaimer about tech often changing

2026-05-01T22:45:03Z

Added disclaimer about tech often changing

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:45, 1 May 2026
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	Your job as a technical assistant is to know what these things are and to do whatever the people who are in charge of set up tell you to do with them.		Your job as a technical assistant is to know what these things are and to do whatever the people who are in charge of set up tell you to do with them.

	IMPORTANT NOTE: FOR ALL ITEMS, DO NOT TURN ON THE POWER UNTIL EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED AND ZEROED OUT		'''PLEASE NOTE: Tech is ever-evolving and advancing. Many of these items and terms are evergreen and will be in use for as long as we're doing shows. Some have been phased out and rendered obsolete. Especially when you get to the section on Mixers, speakers and amplifiers, things can change rapidly in terms of what we do and do not bring to shows. When in doubt, ask.'''

			''IMPORTANT NOTE: FOR ALL ITEMS, DO NOT TURN ON THE POWER UNTIL EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED AND ZEROED OUT''

	EQUIPMENT:		EQUIPMENT:

ARTCVP: Added a bunch of tech to the lesson five page

2026-05-01T22:42:39Z

Added a bunch of tech to the lesson five page

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 EQUIPMENT:
-Cables:<gallery>
+=== Cables: ===
 File:01 male connector.jpg|SOUND CABLES - Male  tends to be input / Female  tends to be output
 File:02 female connector.jpg|SOUND CABLES - Male  tends to be input / Female  tends to be output
 File:03 XLR cable.png|XLR - Most often used to connect from mics into the mixer (whether using the snake or not). Also from the mixer to the amp
 File:04 Quarter inch.png|Quarter inch - Most often used to carry signal into the mixer from a keyboard or submixer or into a direct box. Also usually into the speakers.
 </gallery>

ARTCVP: created lesson five tech

2026-05-01T22:09:53Z

created lesson five tech

New page

== Technical Assistant ==
Everyone will be a technical assistant at ARTC. Because we usually have to set up and take down temporary performance stages in between other acts or on a tight schedule, we need all hands on deck. Below is a description of our equipment along with how we use it and important tips.

Your job as a technical assistant is to know what these things are and to do whatever the people who are in charge of set up tell you to do with them.

IMPORTANT NOTE: FOR ALL ITEMS, DO NOT TURN ON THE POWER UNTIL EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED AND ZEROED OUT

EQUIPMENT:

Cables:<gallery>
File:01 male connector.jpg|SOUND CABLES - Male tends to be input / Female tends to be output
File:02 female connector.jpg|SOUND CABLES - Male tends to be input / Female tends to be output
File:03 XLR cable.png|XLR - Most often used to connect from mics into the mixer (whether using the snake or not). Also from the mixer to the amp
File:04 Quarter inch.png|Quarter inch - Most often used to carry signal into the mixer from a keyboard or submixer or into a direct box. Also usually into the speakers.
</gallery>