Topic: Taping in bad weather

[greppson]

So... I've got a sort of 'mini-festival' coming up this weekend. We've got 7 bands playing from 12 until 7 on an outside stage. Weather report sounds like we could get showers throughout the day. I'm running SP-CMC-2As (the AT831 knockoffs made by SoundPros) into a batt box, then into my JB3. Obviously I'll have the JB3 covered and whatnot, but... what about the rest of it? Just go as normal? I won't screw up my mics will I if it is raining?

Oh, here are the bands:

Salvation Army (local band)
Paranoid Social Club
Jen Hartswick Band
The Meditations
Keller Williams

and I think one other 'opener' band. I'll probably tape most of them, but want to know if there are any special tips for taping in the rain or if I just run as normal.

Oh and since I'm also working the event, my stand will be inside the soundboard barricade, so it should be all good there.

[jessedscott]

walmart, umbrella w/ clamp $4.95. good luck..

[greppson]

walmart, umbrella w/ clamp $4.95. good luck..

i'll try going to the local walmart, but i'm not seeing anything on the walmart.com site.

[cosmic charlie]

let me know if you find a worthy umbrella at wal-mart, im lookin for umbrella options as well. 


-charlie

[Chuck]

walmart, umbrella w/ clamp $4.95. good luck..

Don't forget the big windscreens. Also, some have reported good results putting a non-lubricated condom over the microphones for really bad weather. I have taped many shows in the rain and have never used the condom method, but have had good luck with an umbrella and the shure heavy duty windscreens

[Tim]

let me recommend that you go to a hardware store and buy some 3mil contractor bags. They are *heavy* duty trashbags and won't get tears and holes in them like regular garbage bags. when I tape outdoors and there is a chance of rain I open up one of those contractor bags first and then set my gear bag inside the plastic bag, this way you don't have to fight to put a bag around your gear quickly while it is raining. all you have to do is pull the bag up and and around your bag once it starts raining. the contractor bags are big enough that you should be able to operate your rig while leaving it covered...

[fozzy]

let me recommend that you go to a hardware store and buy some 3mil contractor bags. They are *heavy* duty trashbags and won't get tears and holes in them like regular garbage bags. when I tape outdoors and there is a chance of rain I open up one of those contractor bags first and then set my gear bag inside the plastic bag, this way you don't have to fight to put a bag around your gear quickly while it is raining. all you have to do is pull the bag up and and around your bag once it starts raining. the contractor bags are big enough that you should be able to operate your rig while leaving it covered...

same idea but i use bags designed for trash compactors, i think they are 5mil but don't quote me on that.  These suckers are also very heavy duty

[spreadheadtom]

walmart, umbrella w/ clamp $4.95. good luck..

i'll try going to the local walmart, but i'm not seeing anything on the walmart.com site.

in the sporting goods section.  they care designed to clamp to the folding chairs

[keepongoin]

walmart, umbrella w/ clamp $4.95. good luck..

i'll try going to the local walmart, but i'm not seeing anything on the walmart.com site.

in the sporting goods section.  they care designed to clamp to the folding chairs

yep, chairs and accessories in the sporting goods section because sitting on one's ass is america's #1 sport!

[F.O.Bean]

thick4mil contractor bags, and also like mok3 said, clearplastic w/ the same thickness is even better

[JackoRoses]

let me know if you find a worthy umbrella at wal-mart, im lookin for umbrella options as well. 


-charlie

I bought a golf umbrella from wally world, about 9$ for the 48" one
I have not had to use it yet, I am sure that day is coming very soon.
Kind of wondering if it is going to be way too big

[flipp]

walmart, umbrella w/ clamp $4.95. good luck..

i'll try going to the local walmart, but i'm not seeing anything on the walmart.com site.

Chair-Brella CB-03  UPC#0 49833 67094 3
40" width with adjustable clamp for attaching to that chair or mic stand.
Got one late last summer and haven't had to use it yet, hence still having the tag on the stuff sack it goes in.
If you carry your stand in the sack a folding chair comes in, there is plenty of room to drop the umbrella in between the legs of the stand.

[eric.B]

In particularly bad weather.. I like to keep my gear covered with 2x8 joists, sheathing, and a 30 year timberline asphalt shingle...

 

[John R]

i also grab a tarp for festivals and open it up and stuff it behind my chair.  if it really starts coming down, you can envelope your entire area. 

and i use this umberlla.  nice and flat, no phasing issues.  batman rules.

[F.O.Bean]

A low point loop in your cabling, for creating a drip point before the cables run back up to your gear.

exactly what i do, thoinever remember to say that on heere, i just do it, have a low point, THEN have cable snake UP to your gear

[F.O.Bean]

also, it never hurts to put some stakes in the ground and bungee cord your stand to the ground if it gets NASTY, i do this almostevery festie, and ive been very glad i did a few times

[Jammin72]

A low point loop in your cabling, for creating a drip point before the cables run back up to your gear.

 I Love It!! 

Now that's something that's learned as a direct result of "Oh S&$%"

[bluelawn]

FYI: i've found the umbrellas with a clamp in the stroller isle of a toy store like toys r us-

[greppson]

great tips guys. definitely go check out walmart tomorrow night.

i'm still not getting the bag thing though... are you just putting your gear bag in that? that won't be a problem at all, i was just more concerned about the mics getting wet and stuff.

[greppson]

also, does having the umbrella over the mics create a lot of noise from rain potentially hitting the umbrella or is that hopefully cancelled out by the sound from the stacks?

[Tim]

great tips guys. definitely go check out walmart tomorrow night.

i'm still not getting the bag thing though... are you just putting your gear bag in that?

yep

[John R]

also, does having the umbrella over the mics create a lot of noise from rain potentially hitting the umbrella or is that hopefully cancelled out by the sound from the stacks?

umbrellas are for use between the light drizzle and the full on downpour.  at which point, the audio you are attempting to capture will become secondary to the amount of money you've spent on gear.  if you've reached this point in the downpour, all the other items above will make sense and have been put into play. 

any cancelling will be phasing, if you place the umbrella too close to the mics.  that is why i got the flat one(above).  and yes, the mics will pickup the noise of the rain/wind on the umbrella, and the act of attaching it to your stand.

[greppson]

did you post a specific umbrella or brand above or were you just saying you use a tarp? i didn't see anything besides batman rules. :lol

[fandelive]

Also, some have reported good results putting a non-lubricated condom over the microphones for really bad weather.

I have some serious doubt about this one...
Nothing is supposed to pass through a condom, right? 

[John R]

did you post a specific umbrella or brand above or were you just saying you use a tarp? i didn't see anything besides batman rules. :lol

wow, that's wierd.  it was up there, it's back now.  don't even know if you canfind them anymore.


available here for the next 40 minutes:  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5970741630&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

only the good vibrations!

lmao 

[F.O.Bean]

another tip is, if ya know youre in for some rain, make sure there is sufficient space between stands, nothing worse than going to oppen yours and BAM, knocking into folks mics

and another tip is: put your umbrella on your stand anyway, just dont open the umbrella part, extend it tho, then if/when its needed, you simply lower the stand and POOF, open that umbrella

i personally love taping in the rain as long as im prepared, ive pulled some great tapes that way

and as for rain hitting your umbrella, youd have to have a pretty lowl evel band w/ not much noise going on, and personally, i LOVE the sound of the rain i have when moe ended their second set>encore, you can slightly hear the rain coming DOWN

then take your micsdown, keep the umbrella up so you have rain guard while taking mics/cables down, throw everything in your bag, and get the hell out of there

[greppson]

i'll def. do the gear in a plastic bag thing. thick one too.

grabbed a "chair-brella" at wally world for $4.58 in by the foldable camp chairs. thanks for the lead.

thing is big, but looks like the clamp would work.

couldn't i also just let my mics run without any sort of overhead cover? they are small stealth mics, ~$140 with windscreens. would they get seriously messed up if it is just misting or small showers here and there?

[jeromejello]

another tip is, if ya know youre in for some rain, make sure there is sufficient space between stands, nothing worse than going to oppen yours and BAM, knocking into folks mics

and another tip is: put your umbrella on your stand anyway, just dont open the umbrella part, extend it tho, then if/when its needed, you simply lower the stand and POOF, open that umbrella

i personally love taping in the rain as long as im prepared, ive pulled some great tapes that way

and as for rain hitting your umbrella, youd have to have a pretty lowl evel band w/ not much noise going on, and personally, i LOVE the sound of the rain i have when moe ended their second set>encore, you can slightly hear the rain coming DOWN

then take your micsdown, keep the umbrella up so you have rain guard while taking mics/cables down, throw everything in your bag, and get the hell out of there

good stuff +t

[F.O.Bean]

another tip is, if ya know youre in for some rain, make sure there is sufficient space between stands, nothing worse than going to oppen yours and BAM, knocking into folks mics

and another tip is: put your umbrella on your stand anyway, just dont open the umbrella part, extend it tho, then if/when its needed, you simply lower the stand and POOF, open that umbrella

i personally love taping in the rain as long as im prepared, ive pulled some great tapes that way

and as for rain hitting your umbrella, youd have to have a pretty lowl evel band w/ not much noise going on, and personally, i LOVE the sound of the rain i have when moe ended their second set>encore, you can slightly hear the rain coming DOWN

then take your micsdown, keep the umbrella up so you have rain guard while taking mics/cables down, throw everything in your bag, and get the hell out of there

good stuff +t

backatcha man!

i'll def. do the gear in a plastic bag thing. thick one too.

grabbed a "chair-brella" at wally world for $4.58 in by the foldable camp chairs. thanks for the lead.

thing is big, but looks like the clamp would work.

couldn't i also just let my mics run without any sort of overhead cover? they are small stealth mics, ~$140 with windscreens. would they get seriously messed up if it is just misting or small showers here and there?

water+electronics=BAD, some rain cover is gonna beneeded if you want to be able to use your equipment again

[Tim]

one method that a friend has used succesfully is to take saran wrap and wrap the mics from where the cap meets the body all the way back down the mic cable... and several layers thick. then use the big ass shures to cover the caps....

his theory was that umbrellas can catch the wind and send a stand flying

[JackoRoses]

one method that a friend has used succesfully is to take saran wrap and wrap the mics from where the cap meets the body all the way back down the mic cable... and several layers thick. then use the big ass shures to cover the caps....

his theory was that umbrellas can catch the wind and send a stand flying

thats why you bring stakes and bungie cords to stake her down.

[brianp]

Ive got one of these Seal-Line dry bags that kayakers use:

http://www.seallinegear.com/nylon.asp?Action=KodiakWindow&Category=NylonDryBags

It's saved me at least 2 times. I think I paid $14 for mine and they can be found at a lot of outdoor stores or at least a similar version. Nice to have peace of mind knowing that no matter how hard the rain is coming down your gear is safe and dry. They also now make clear ones so you can still monitor your levels.

[Tim]

one method that a friend has used succesfully is to take saran wrap and wrap the mics from where the cap meets the body all the way back down the mic cable... and several layers thick. then use the big ass shures to cover the caps....

his theory was that umbrellas can catch the wind and send a stand flying

thats why you bring stakes and bungie cords to stake her down.

of course there are venues where you can't use stakes or bungee cords, that's what I was referring to

red rocks is such a place

[JackoRoses]

one method that a friend has used succesfully is to take saran wrap and wrap the mics from where the cap meets the body all the way back down the mic cable... and several layers thick. then use the big ass shures to cover the caps....

his theory was that umbrellas can catch the wind and send a stand flying

thats why you bring stakes and bungie cords to stake her down.

of course there are venues where you can't use stakes or bungee cords, that's what I was referring to

red rocks is such a place

Right , I was thinking of that after I quickly posted
sand bags... or strategically place your bag onto the supports...

[ScottT]

I've got an outdoor show tonight and 90% chance of showers 

Thanks for the timely advice!

[Tim]

it's hard enough carrying a full size rig up the steps at red rocks... I pity the fool who brings sand bags with him

[greppson]

well, they've made the call to move it indoors, so... i guess this is all a moot point right now for me, but... thanks everyone for the future advice!

[JackoRoses]

it's hard enough carrying a full size rig up the steps at red rocks... I pity the fool who brings sand bags with him

haha, nothing like an extra 50 pounds right
hopefully they don't have the sla's too

[Digital Quality]

I've been scrounging the web for a good small clip on umbrella and this is the best I could find http://www.kidsurplus.com/pri6522.html I ordered one so I will let you know if it is sturdy and workable or not.

There is also a "radio flyer" clip on umbrella but I read that it breaks easily so we will see what mr lion heart has to say

[Evil Taper]

What about stealthing in rain?  Just holding an umbrella and using massive windscreens going to be good enough?

[F.O.Bean]

What about stealthing in rain? Just holding an umbrella and using massive windscreens going to be good enough?

that should be enuf, just make sure the umbrella is covering the mics

[Evil Taper]

Sweet.  A giant golf umbrella will do the job unless it's a massive downpour.  I can't let a little rain spoil my Sha Na Na recording

[coop]

i used to put the umbrella on a seperate stand, right next to the stand with the mics.  taping the GD up front we would take turns holding it above the stand, or use the seperate stand.  nothing like seeing 20 umbrellas clustered in the same spot in front of the board.  it is also a good idea to keep a small hand towel inside your gear bag to dry your hands before you touch your gear.  lastly, don't forget to unpack and dry your stuff out when you get home/hotel.  leave everthing overnight on a table in a room with air conditioning does the trick.
       coop

[MarkF]

When you cant stake down, and dont want to carry sand bags, has any one used some type of waterproof bag filled with water from a nearby bathroom to hold the stand down?

[stober]

If it looks like rain,then I dont tape.