Mixing a Musical: Broadway Sound Techniques | Focal Presspulls the curtain back on one of the least understood careers in live theatre: the role and responsibilities of the sound technician. This new edition gives special attention to mixing techniques and practices. And, special features of the book include interviews with some of today's most successful mixers and designers.

This comprehensive book encompasses every position from shop crew labor to assistant designer to sound board operator and everything in between. Written in a clear and easy to read style, and illustrated with real-world examples of personal experience and professional interviews, Slaton shows you how to mix live theatre shows from the basics of equipment and set ups, using sound levels to creating atmosphere, emotion, and tension to ensure a first rate performance every time.

Author: Shannon Slaton    Softcover, 318 Pages    Publisher: Routledge Taylor & Francis    2nd Edition, Published 2018

• Dedication
• Introduction
• PART I – THE CAREER PATH
  • Chapter 1: What Does It Mean to be a Theatrical Mixer
  • Chapter 2: History of Theatrical Sound
  • Chapter 3: Different Positions in Theatrical Sound
  • Chapter 4: Different Levels of Theatrical Sound
• PART II – THE PREP
  • Chapter 5: Design Team’s Job
  • Chapter 6: Mixer’s Job
  • Chapter 7: The Shop
  • Chapter 8: Build Schedule
  • Chapter 9: Build Techniques
• PART III – THE TAKE-IN OR LOAD-IN
  • Chapter 10: Design Team’s Job
  • Chapter 11: Mixer’s Job
  • Chapter 12: Unions
  • Chapter 13: The Schedule
• PART IV - TECH
  • Chapter 14: Tony Meola on Mixing
  • Chapter 15: Design Team’s Job
  • Chapter 16: Mixer’s Job
  • Chapter 17: A2’s Job (Mic’ing Techniques)
  • Chapter 18: Troubleshooting
  • Chapter 19: Mixing the Musical
  • Chapter 20: My Advice to Mixers
  • Chapter 21: Tips from the Pros
  • Chapter 22: Suggested Projects for Mixers
• Epilogue
• Index

Shannon Slaton is a sound designer based in New York. He has designed the tours Elf, Kiss Me Kate, Noise/Funk, The Full Monty, Contact, Tap Dogs, Hairspray, The Producers, Sweeney Todd, The Wizard of Oz, The Drowsy Chaperone, Sound of Music, Bullets over Broadway, and The Wedding Singer. His Broadway work mixing includes Man of La Mancha, Bombay Dreams, A Christmas Carol, Sweet Charity, Jersey Boys, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Drowsy Chaperone, Spring Awakening, Fela!, Anything Goes, Holiday Inn, Annie, Cabaret, Springsteen on Broadway, and Legally Blonde. Off-Broadway he assisted on Hurly Burly and on Broadway he assisted on Steel Magnolias and was the Associate on Barefoot in the Park, Blackbird, An Act of God, Present Laughter, Meteor Shower, and was the Production Sound on Wicked. Regional designs include shows at George Street Playhouse, Casa Manana, and NCT.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Does this unit regulate power? I want to use this with a V-mount battery, but concerned about sending too much voltage to my MixPre-6 (original version). I can't find any power voltage specs in the MixPre owner manuals.

A: Yes, the Cable Techniques MX-POWERSLED for Sound Devices MixPre-3 And MixPre-6 sends a regulated 7.2V DC power input to the MixPre and accepts a 9-24V DC input range from external sources.

Q: 2. will this work with Mix Pre 3 II which is rated at 5V?

A: Yes the Cable Techniques MX-POWERSLED will work fine with the MixPre 3 or 6. The recorder regulates the voltage required not the battery sled.

Q: 3. Can this mount a 17x22 print?

A: You can mount a 17x22" print using the D&K 210M Commercial Dry Mounting Press - 18.5 x 23"--the actual size of the plate is 18.5x23".

Q: 4. How long does it last?

A: Thank you for your question. It will depend on size of battery and the amount of channels you are using with phantom power.

Q: 5. What is the largest print you can dry mount? How do you dry mount prints that are larger than 18 x 23?

A: I do a lot of 16x20 prints, but to do larger than that , say a 20x30, you just pass the print through the press and do it in sections. Just make sure you don't over lap the mounting tissue if it's not large enough to cover your entire size, or you will see a line in your final print.

Q: 6. If I got this for a MixPre 3 and a Hirose 4-pin to D-Tap/P-Tap cable, would I be able to power it off v-lock batteries with a D-Tap/P-Tap out?Also, If it was to be configured under a camera with v-lock power could it split and share power to both devices or is there load limits, etc?Trying to run it off a RED Raven, but also have the ability to power it separately off v-lock batteries.

A: Question #1) Yes, that should work fine. The MX-Powersled has a large input voltage range of 9 to 24 volts DC, and can accept power from any source that can be wired to the four pin Hirose DC standard, and supply the 7 to 9 watts the Mixpre 3/6 requires. I have used mine with an NP-1 cup to Hirose cable, AC adapter, as well as a car battery alligator clip cable with no problems. Question #2) There should be no issues with sharing a battery between both devices (with a commensurate decrease in overall run time). As indicated above, the Mixpre 3/6 needs about 7-9 watts to run with phantoms on all inputs, less without phantom.The Mixpre-3/6 is a fantastic piece of equipment that is extremely flexible and great sounding. Good Luck!

Q: 7. can I connect this to a usb power bank? what cable do I need?

A: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1567075-REG/anker_a1231011_powercore_slim_10000mah_portable.html?sts=pi&pim=Y This is the recommended power bank, you can use it with this adapter cable: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1353406-REG/zoom_dhc_1_dc_to_hirose_cable.html?sts=pi&pim=Y

Q: 8. Is this compatible with the newer versions of the Mix Pre series? I have one, it works well with the Mix Pre 3 v1 but doesn't seem to seat correctly on my Mix Pre 6 II

A: As a better option for the MixPre-6 II, you could use the Sound Devices MX-LMount Battery Sled (B&H # SOMXLMOUNT) which is available in stock.

Q: 9. Can someone recommend a Hirose MALE 4 pin to D-Tap cable for this? I want to power my MixPre6 with a V-mount battery.

A: The Remote Audio Anton Bauer PowerTap to 4-Pin Male Hirose DC Power Cable (BH #RECAPTAPHIR) is a great cable option to connect a D-Tap power source to the Cable Techniques MX-POWERSLED for Sound Devices MixPre-3 And MixPre-6: https://bhpho.to/3b8c7JE

Q: 10. If the MX-Powersled is attached to a Mixpre 6, will it still fit in the K-Tek Stingray bag made for the Mixpre? Or, do you need to jump up in bag size to the K-Tek Junior?

A: HiIn my case I use the Mixpre 6 with the Mx-Powersled without any problem and with enough space in the K-Tek KSTGMIX Stingray - B&H # KTKSTGMIX MFR # KSTGMIX.BRRenzo M.