Karaoke Forums

Had a new experience this weekend that I thought I would share. Had a gig at one of my "regular" bars, great show, with some really really talented singers (in fact going to be talking to one of them about recording in our studio, but anyway I digress). At one point in the night a new singer came in and introduced herself. I pointed out where she could find a song book and a few minutes later she came up with her first slip. As she handed it to me and then asked me if I had a compressor. She said she was concerned because she sings very loud at times and she noticed I didn't have an equipment rack. Ultimately she wanted to know what kind of mic technique she should use.

I assured her I had compression, explained it's a digital console and that I'd have her locked down no problem. After our conversation though I realized in all my years of hosting I don't think any singer has ever actually asked me for compression. She seemed to have a halfway decent understanding of the concept and it was kind of cool to have a singer with that much expertise. Just curious if anyone else has had a similar experience.

_________________
DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

With my recent thread in mind, I can simply say "No". Nobody had asked, and in fact I doubt that more than a handful of people that attend my shows even know what it is. That is really awesome Tony that someone is concerned enough about the possibility of damaging your equipment and makes an honest effort to alleviate potential risks. She obviously is knowledgeable about such matters. Good for her.

And I have always pretty much assumed the same at my shows (and I still think that's an accurate assumption), which is why it surprised me so much when she asked. I even checked, she doesn't and has never sung with a band or anything so I'm not sure where she picked up on it, but yeah it was pretty cool.

_________________
DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

On Sat we had someone decide to dedicate an Alanis Morrisette "screamer" to her ex-husband. She was hoarse just mid-way through. I was glad we had compression. And volumd knobs.

Our one singer who knows what he is doing came in with the attitude that "It's just karaoke, let's not get carried away." In his words. As things have gone on and he sees that we have a few bells and whistles, he has started to ask for a bit more effects or a few minor adjustments. But he isn't Diva-ish about it. He will start off with the cheapo and good mic in each hand and sing back and forth between them and then go with the cheapo because he likes the mobility. He has explained why the good mic is better and how he can do more with it but he says the cheapo sounds good enough. I just throw that in to show he doesn't have Diva-tude, not to start the mic argument. Repeat, he told us the good mic was a much better mic.

It is interesting that this person would be concerned for your equipment. Do you think she actually took out someone else's with ther power? Maybe broke all the glasses in the bar? That one is a first.

Anybody who knows what a compressor is i'd expect to be smart enough to back off the mic when they start pushing major air.

I'd ask if I thought it would win me brownie points. But I usually arrive early and go and inspect the equipment, so I usually know what is going on.

Looks like she does that too -- scans the rack -- and just hadn't seen the digital console at karaoke before. Heck, I've been to over 300 different gigs with hundreds of rigs and I think I have seen it once.

_________________
[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

I don't recall anybody asking me specifically if I had a compressor, although I do get singers giving me advance warning that they can get loud and I might need to adjust for it - I just tell them to sing how they normally would that I have compression on the mics to monitor their volume so to speak.

_________________
LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Well actually that was her point, she was asking whether she needed to use mic technique or not. Honestly, when I'm using compression (whether live or in the studio), I'd much prefer that the singer NOT use that sort of mic technique because it actually makes the job harder and can have detrimental effect. This is something I have to work with singers on all the time be it karaoke or whatever, getting them to trust that they can belt as loud as they'd like into that mic and I'll have them under wraps and sounding good.

_________________
DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

Nope, never had a singer ask for compression.

Are you sure it wasn't Jewel in disguise?

Had a request slip once that said
"Mines a vodka and lemonade"
Couldn't find it.
Anyway I did. Buy it that is.
But once yes I had a singer ask about compression.
I said no and he knew how to best sing.
I have one and will soon be using it.

I would say, chalk this esoteric comment to a host in the past who said, "Man! You SIng LOUD! I had to use compression on you!"

Sounds like she has had some type of experience with and without compression and knows what to do if the isn't any. I guess she just didn't want to over drive if you didn't have it.

By the way how did she sound?

_________________
I like everyone when I first meet them. If you don't like me that's not my problem it's YOURS!
A stranger is a friend you haven't met yet

She was great, really nailed some difficult songs and did a range of everything from Country to Blues to Rock. I was seriously impressed.

_________________
DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

Well, I don't personally know anything about compression, but I have been to some shows where the KJ has too much reverb or Mic volume for all of the singers. I know that on certain songs I sing (not all), I can be very powerful. When I have been to these particular shows, and have gotten up to sing, as soon as I have spoken into the Mic, I could tell it was too loud, and I would ask the KJ to turn my Mic down a bit (and add a comment that I know I can be very loud). Now, as for Mic technique, I do know when and how to pull back on the Mic, but at these shows, I have had the Mic pulled back at full arm's length, and it was too loud.

A singer that knows what compression is - send her my way - woohoo!

I have never had anyone ask me that. Usually I get the dumb questions from people who are trying to impress me with their knowledge, but really it only ensures me that they know nothing about how things work. Aaaarg!

_________________
[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Babs, when I first met you, the first thing you asked me was.....do you have a compressor?.......I thought, wow, she's good.........but then you mentioned about having a just about flat tire on your car......and the blonde hair explained it all...