Production Tech
Fall Semester – 2009/2010
What You Will Learn in this Class

Sound System Basics
o Physics of Sound
o Cables and Connectors
o 4-Component Model of a Sound System
o Run Live Sound w/Our Equipment
o Miking Techniques
o EQ and Compression Techniques

CHS Auditorium
o See Attached Checklist

Recording Studio
o Studio Basics
o Pro Tools 8 LE Software
o Audio Recording
o MIDI Recording
o Mixing and Mastering Techniques

Live Tech Support
o Apprentice Tech Level (upon completion of checklist)
o Certified Tech Level (5 successful shows plus teacher recommendations)
o Each Student is Required to Run Tech for Two of the Following Events:
Date
Event
Call Time
Start Time
Min. # of Techs
10/26
10/29
CHS Fall Concert
Jr-Hi Fall Concert
6:30pm
5:30pm
7pm
6pm
4
4
11/?
12/1
12/2
12/8
12/10
12/17
CHS Drama Shows
K-1 X-Mas Concert
2-3 X-Mas Concert
4,5,6 X-Mas Concert
CHS/Jr-Hi Choir Concert
CHS/Jr-Hi Band Concert
?
5pm
5pm
5pm
6:30pm
6:30pm
?
5:30pm
5:30pm
5:30pm
7pm
7pm
2
2
2
4
2
2
All students will achieve Apprentice Tech Level in class and be required to work a
minimum of two of the above shows. Apprentice Techs may choose to work additional
shows (may get paid for some shows) and eventually achieve Certified Tech Level
status. Certified Tech’s get paid more for some shows and can stay on the Tech
Support Call List even after this semester.
Class Requirements
 Trust!!!
 Notebook + Pen
We will talk about this a lot in class
3-Ring Binder, blank paper, and pen/pencil
MUST be in class with you each day
Keep all Papers/Notes in this Binder
Will be used in Assessment
Live Tech Support Roles

Lead Tech
Student that Demonstrates Good Leadership Skills
Student that has Good Knowledge of Sound + Stage
Communicates with Adult in Charge and Tech Support Team
Responsible for House and Work Lights
Keeps the Show Running On-Time
Keeps Backstage and Booth Quiet
May assist in any other duty

FOH Mix
Runs Sound in Booth
Responsible first for what Audience Hears
Responsible second for what Performers Hear
Responsible third for Recording Show (if needed)

Light Board
Runs Lights in Booth
Responsible first for what Audience Sees
Responsible second for what Performers See
Works with Lead Tech on House/Work Lights

Stage Hand
Works Backstage through Entire Show
Works with FOH on sound checking mics
Works with Light Board on light adjustments
Responsible for Curtains
Responsible for Care of Grand Piano
Moves Items on/off/around stage
Acts as Gopher for any needed supplies
Keeps Performers Happy
If More than 4 Techs If 3 Techs If 2 Techs -
Add extras to Stage Hand
Lead Tech can do FOH, Lights, or Stage Hand
Lead Tech can do Stage Hand, FOH can do Lights
Student Assessment
Name_________________________
Students will be assessed each week based on their knowledge and abilities in the
following areas:
Week #1 – Physics of Sound, Facilities, Cables and Connectors
 Frequency, Hertz, Amplitude, Octave

Band Room, Studio, Auditorium, Booth, Drama Office, Back Stage, Stage
Directions (Stage Left/Right, Up/Down Stage, Center/Mid)

Cabling: Mic, Instrument, Speaker, RCA

Connectors: Male/Female, XLR, ¼”, 1/8”, RCA, TRS (stereo)

Coiling Cables
Week #2 – Four Component Model of a Sound System
 Input Transducer, Signal Processor, Amplifier, Output Transducer
Week #3 – Running Sound with Our Equipment
 Identification of Equipment

Sound System Stations
Week #4 – Mic Techniques and EQ and Compression
 Instrument Miking – Drums, Piano, Gtr Amps, Horns, DI’s
 EQ’s – Tone Controls, Parametrics, 9-band + 31-band Graphic, RTA’s
 Compression – Threshold + Ratio
Week #5 – Auditorium Checklist
Week #6 – Auditorium Checklist
Week #7 – Auditorium Checklist
Week #8 – Auditorium Checklist
 Students should complete their checklist by 10/21 (before conferences)
Week #9 – Fall Concerts
 In Class Setup for Concerts, First 2 Live Tech Gigs this week
Week #10 – Clean Auditorium, Sound Storage Areas, Maintenance (Stage painting?)
Week #11 – Recording Studio Basics
 Introduce Pro Tools LE 8
Week #12 – Drama Support
 Set Lights and Audio for Drama Show
Week #13 – (Two Days) Return Lights to Normal
Week #14 – Elementary Christmas Concerts
Week #15 – Fort and Jr. High Christmas Concerts
Week #16 – CHS Christmas Concert
Week #17 – Recording Studio Session
 In Class Session Date
 Laying Down Tracks, both Audio and Midi
 Mixing and Mastering
Week #18 – Recording Projects
 Student Recording Projects
Week #19 – Finish Recording Projects and Clean Auditorium
 Recording Project Done by 1/22
 Two Live Tech Supports Assessed (completed by 12/17 – see calendar)
Colville High School Auditorium
Basic Tech Provisions
Sound
House Sound System (speaker coverage throughout auditorium)
4- Microphones (Shure SM58 Dynamic Cardioid) w/cables
1- Wireless Handheld Microphone
1- Wireless Lapel Microphone
4- Microphone Boom Stands
2- Stage Monitor Speakers (2 separate mixes) w/cables
2- Direct Boxes w/XLR cables
Ability to Play Audio from CD’s + Ipods (from sound booth)
Ability to Record Performance
Stage Lights
Full Amber Flood (100%, 75%, 50%, 25%)
Full Blue (fairly dark on stage)
Full Red
2- Positioned Spots or Gobos w/gel (cannot be moved during show)
Any Combination of Above w/fades
House Lights + Work Lights
Curtains
Main (Down) Traveler
Mid-Stage Traveler
Up-Stage Traveler
Various Legs
Staging
1- Modern Podium
1- Classic Podium
American & Washington Flags
6- Choral Risers (3 tiered)
Grand Piano
Upright Piano
2- Extension Cords w/plug-in strips
10- Black Chairs
10- Music Stands
Production Tech
Auditorium Checklist
Student Name__________________________
I. House + Work Lights
 Emergency House Lights
 Stage Work Lights
 Up Stage Work Light
 House Section Gas Lights
 Trivoli Lights
 Aisle Lights
 Booth, Dressing Room, Drama Office, Set Shop Lights
II. Keys + Tools
 Lanyard Location
 Purvis and/or Adult Keys
 Piano Room
 Piano Keyboard Keys
 Wireless Mic Key
 Cafeteria/Foyer Light Keys
 Tool Drawer
 Tool Box
III. Staging + Curtains
 Stage Risers
 Choir Risers
 Shell
 Stairs
 Podiums
 Flags
 Travelers
 Legs
 Wings
 Scrim
 Scaffolding
 Chairs and Stands
IV. Sound System
 Storage of Gear
 Turn on/off Equipment
 4- SM 58s w/clips and cables
 4-Boom Stands
 1 Wireless Label Mic
 1 Wireless Handheld Mic
 2 Stage Monitors w/speaker cables
 1 Mon Mix vs. 2 Mon Mixes
 2 Direct Boxes
 Audio hookup w/projector
 CD Player
 I-pod input
 Phantom Mics + Booth Monitor
 Recording Setup
V. Stage Lighting
 Light Board on/off
 Program a Light Set
 Amber Flood, Blue Set, Red Set
 Set Spots
 Gobos w/gels
 Intelligent Lighting
VI. Intercom
 Intercom on/off
 Headset Usage and Storage
VII. Projector
 Table Position
 Screen up/down
 Projector Setup and Storage
 Video from Laptop/DVD
 Audio from Laptop/DVD
VIII. Pianos
 Upright – moving down, miking
 Grand – moving, miking
 Room and Lock Keys
 Cleaning
IX. Rules and Emergency
 Emergency Phone Numbers
 Adult In Charge Rule
 Booth Rule
 Care of Facility
 Bandroom Rules
CHS Production Tech
Parent Response Sheet
Student Name_______________________________________
Parent Name(s)_______________________________________
Parent Email_________________________________________
Signing below indicates that the parent has received and read the CHS Choir Syllabus:
Parent Signature____________________________________
This signed form should be returned to Mr. Purvis by Friday, Sept. 4th.