When we started this project last September, I knew that we were climbing a huge mountain. I just didn't realize how huge! All along the way, we've found challenge after challenge - whether it's how to recreate the "other world" screams and groans of the original soundtrack, arranging the massive amount of keyboard work and dividing it for two players, or learning the "feel" of these songs, it's been challenging for all of us.
One of the most challenging parts of this project is something that most people will never realize - the technical backbone of the show. Issues like generating massive amounts of video with edge-blending, warping and stretching, beating video projectors' aspect ratios into submission while throwing 1080p HD video at them. Recreating the legendary lighting of the iconic Pink Floyd tours and of course the audio production with full surround capabilities and low-frequency output to 10Hz has been daunting. We've automated the show with MIDI control and program change to provide patch switching and control of every musician's rig as well as synchronization between control, video and staging. The picture that you see here is the musicians' monitor rig as it stands currently. 32 inputs available to each musician to mix on their iPhone or Android. Nine full stereo in-ear mixes with dedicated dynamics, effects and EQ per mix without a monitor engineer. : ) Issues like physically constructing a wall synchronized with the music and then knocking it down without hurting someone are tasks that our cast of engineers are still working out.
All in all, figuring out how to produce this show while maintaining the integrity of the original has been really challenging - and fun! We're proud to have kids involved both behind the scenes and on-stage. They will have opportunities to see and learn concepts about technical production and performance that otherwise would not be available to them. That's what this is all about - passing it on.
If you're curious about more specifics regarding the gear and how and why, please let me know in the comments. If there's more interest, I'll go into more detail. I hope you have your tickets for the show! If not, get them here!
Wishing you the best,
Chris
One of the most challenging parts of this project is something that most people will never realize - the technical backbone of the show. Issues like generating massive amounts of video with edge-blending, warping and stretching, beating video projectors' aspect ratios into submission while throwing 1080p HD video at them. Recreating the legendary lighting of the iconic Pink Floyd tours and of course the audio production with full surround capabilities and low-frequency output to 10Hz has been daunting. We've automated the show with MIDI control and program change to provide patch switching and control of every musician's rig as well as synchronization between control, video and staging. The picture that you see here is the musicians' monitor rig as it stands currently. 32 inputs available to each musician to mix on their iPhone or Android. Nine full stereo in-ear mixes with dedicated dynamics, effects and EQ per mix without a monitor engineer. : ) Issues like physically constructing a wall synchronized with the music and then knocking it down without hurting someone are tasks that our cast of engineers are still working out.
All in all, figuring out how to produce this show while maintaining the integrity of the original has been really challenging - and fun! We're proud to have kids involved both behind the scenes and on-stage. They will have opportunities to see and learn concepts about technical production and performance that otherwise would not be available to them. That's what this is all about - passing it on.
If you're curious about more specifics regarding the gear and how and why, please let me know in the comments. If there's more interest, I'll go into more detail. I hope you have your tickets for the show! If not, get them here!
Wishing you the best,
Chris
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