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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: Gr8ful98 on September 20, 2005, 02:08:09 PM
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Hey ya'll,
I'm headed to Austin City Limits fest this weekend & it looks like hurricane Rita may be coming too! I'm running a Shure tripod mic stand with AKG 481's and SHURE windscreens(the big thick ones)>Dmod Ua5>JB3 and I keep my gear in a RakGear backpack.
I've only been taping since March '05, and never taped in the rain or high winds before. Can any of y'all more experienced tapers give me some advice, or tips on what to do if it rains during the show...or high winds?
I was thinkin' bout bringing trash bags to put the backpack in to protect my gear...but what about the mics? I want to record the show, but I can't afford to lose my AKG 481's to damage because of rain etc...
What would you suggest? 8)
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nice umbrella
duct tape
contractor bags(thick garbage bags)
camping stakes for the stand
LOTS of garbage bags
maybe even a walmart camping table so you can put your bag up on it and just cover everything with the contractor bags!
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Get a clamp on umbrella. There's several threads on here about 'em. Many folks seem to have good luck at places like Toys R' Us, the kind made to attach to a stroller work well.
As for heavy wind, not much you can do except use the big Shure screens. If you wanna protect your stand from wind, either duct tape on concrete, or if you're gonna be set up on ground - use tent stakes.
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Get a clamp on umbrella. There's several threads on here about 'em. Many folks seem to have good luck at places like Toys R' Us, the kind made to attach to a stroller work well.
As for heavy wind, not much you can do except use the big Shure screens. If you wanna protect your stand from wind, either duct tape on concrete, or if you're gonna be set up on ground - use tent stakes.
i wouldnt doubt if those clamp on cheapie umbrellas would come right down in heavy winds, but i guess if it gets that bad, i would teardown!
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;D Thanks y'all. I'm a little nervous...electronics & water don't mix very well...but I'm determined to do it!
I usually learn by making mistakes...let's hope I don't make any expensive mistakes this weekend. ;D
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whateveryone else stated.
I have done this in snow and high wind/rain. tapinfool will attest as he was there toughin it out in the wind and rain as well.
I used a nice 4' golf umbrella from wally world, it works nice for keeping the gear bag somewhat dry.
Not very much water even driving rain made it to the mics with this.
I don't know about smaller footprint umbrellas though.
Tent stakes are essential and take something to drive them into the ground.
I used clothesline for my stakes not to say you need clothesline but you will need some kind of rope.
I clamped my ubrella down as tight as I could than backed it up with some duct tape.
My stand would go down before the umbrella would break loose.
I would for sure look into bringing something to get your bag off the ground if at all possible.
I had a stream running under mine.
Garbage bags are a great idea, especially if your bag does not have a all weather storm flap for it.
Don't forget a towel to lay down over the cables where they enter your bag.
Good luck and don't forget your own raingear.
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Stick your UA5 and JB3 in ziplock bags - hang the wires out the zipper and duct tape it shut. Cover the whole thing with garbage bag. Elevate your gear...
As for your stand, a too big or too stiff of an umbrella will act as a sail, and may cause your stand to tip. Def secure-secure-secure to the ground. Also try and get your mics as far up under the umbrella as possible. Bad tapes are better than wet mics...
Good luck!
Terry
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Or get some of these bitches: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrophone
T
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Stick your UA5 and JB3 in ziplock bags - hang the wires out the zipper and duct tape it shut. Cover the whole thing with garbage bag. Elevate your gear...
As for your stand, a too big or too stiff of an umbrella will act as a sail, and may cause your stand to tip. Def secure-secure-secure to the ground. Also try and get your mics as far up under the umbrella as possible. Bad tapes are better than wet mics...
Good luck!
Terry
I would be lery of sticking the jb3 in a bag, it needs room to breathe
also that is why you use tent stakes, if my 4' umbrella can deal with strong gusts of wind and not take the stand down I think that is a testament of how important staking the stand down.
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Stick your UA5 and JB3 in ziplock bags - hang the wires out the zipper and duct tape it shut. Cover the whole thing with garbage bag. Elevate your gear...
As for your stand, a too big or too stiff of an umbrella will act as a sail, and may cause your stand to tip. Def secure-secure-secure to the ground. Also try and get your mics as far up under the umbrella as possible. Bad tapes are better than wet mics...
Good luck!
Terry
my umbrella is a nice one i got at wlamart,a nd has air flaps in them so they can be open and not get sucked away by the wind, the wind goes right thru the umbrella, and no rin enters and gets onto your mics, best 12 bucks ive ever spent
worked like a charm at moedown!
and like jackorose said, stake down the legs good and you dont need rope/bungees to tie the stand down
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IMO...
dont tape.
Jerry's dead.
I certainly wouldnt risk my gear for the likes of any band out there.
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big windscreens and a low cut filter in addition to advice already given. It would be THAT much more shitty to risk your gear to get a tape blown out by wind noise.
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my umbrella is a nice one i got at wlamart,a nd has air flaps in them so they can be open and not get sucked away by the wind, the wind goes right thru the umbrella, and no rin enters and gets onto your mics, best 12 bucks ive ever spent
worked like a charm at moedown!
and like jackorose said, stake down the legs good and you dont need rope/bungees to tie the stand down
exactly bean my umbrella has those too, it helps let the wind through.
IMO...
dont tape.
Jerry's dead.
I certainly wouldnt risk my gear for the likes of any band out there.
that quip about Jerry was really uncalled for IMO.
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my recommendation is not to tape if the weather sucks...some other poor soul will tough it out and tape it, why risk your gear....I fucked up some of my stuff at the Vibes during ratdog...camera got messed, DAP1 wouldn't eject the tape...etc. sucked bad
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my recommendation is not to tape if the weather sucks...some other poor soul will tough it out and tape it, why risk your gear....I fucked up some of my stuff at the Vibes during ratdog...camera got messed, DAP1 wouldn't eject the tape...etc. sucked bad
were you prepared ???
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my recommendation is not to tape if the weather sucks...some other poor soul will tough it out and tape it, why risk your gear....I fucked up some of my stuff at the Vibes during ratdog...camera got messed, DAP1 wouldn't eject the tape...etc. sucked bad
well I don't think my last stint in bad weather went without issues completely.
The next morning when I set up and recorded the first band, I picked up some nasty glitches in the recording.
I am not sure if something was damp or if the wind that was kicking in the morning or a combination of both.
Or heck it could of been me even with something not plugged completely in.
I whole heartedly recommend to dry the gear out as best as possible after recording in a monsoon, if you feel brave (stupid?) enough to do so. I was already set up when I was nailed a few times already.
I think I would of done more damage tearing down instead of sticking it out. If it was storming like mad when I was going to set up, I don't think I would. It's one thing to dig in and be prepared to weather it out and another to try and set up while it's coming down.
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I've gotten a certain amount of satisfaction out of taping in heavy rain. ToddR made a really nice recording of The Dead at Red Rocks in pouring rain. He used omni's and had one of his mics clamped to my stand. It's like giving the finger to the weather god! F you... even bad weather is not going to stop me from making a good recording! Woodstock was another good example. I say go for it. Plastic bags, good umbrella, keeping your gear off the ground are all great recomendations.
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Go to Babies-R-Us and get one of their stroller umbrellas. I've used it a bunch of times this summer, and has been rock solid. Clamps right to the stand. $12.00, ya can't beat it. Garbage bags for for your rig bag is a must. Make sure your cables do not enter your bag from above, but below it. Water will follow the cables downward. Also, make sure that your bring duct/gaffer tape. Your want to seal your exposed XLR connections.
As for wind, well........... hurricanes are a whole different bag of nuts. Definitely, anchor your stand with tent spikes. And lets hope for the best. :)
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My Jerry comment was uncalled for...you're right.
its just me. the Grateful dead was worth risking gear for. there was a historic value.
I just dont see that anymore. but thats me.
I saw a great gearbag the other day online someplace...I think it was a mountainsmith reflex II camera bag. the whole bottom was rubber, so you could put it down in a puddle.
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I have had the problem of my umbrella go inverted in the rain and wind. I use the walmart chair umbrella. I wonder if I have a bad umbrella as I dont see it happen to others. You might bring some string/cord to tie a couple of ends of the umbrella to the stand so you dont have to hold it the whole time. If you do this, definitely anchor your stand.
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Thanks y'all! Great advice for this newbie. After surviving 3 hurricanes last year (orlando,fl)...and seeing the size of this sucker that's headed straight for Texas on CNN...I'm not sure if I'll even go.
I know it might sound cowardly...but unless you've walked outside your front door & seen 100 year old oak trees uprooted & tossed a block away, right on top of your nieghbor's house...been without power/air conditioning/cold beverages for weeks...and watching grown men & women fist fight over a bag of ice, you just don't understand. I didn't understand until it happened to me (3 times in a row last year).
Good Gawd I hope it doesn't take a turn for NOLA.
Anyways, we'll see. My plane doesn't leave until 6pm tommorrow. Damn hurricanes!
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my recommendation is not to tape if the weather sucks...some other poor soul will tough it out and tape it, why risk your gear....I fucked up some of my stuff at the Vibes during ratdog...camera got messed, DAP1 wouldn't eject the tape...etc. sucked bad
were you prepared ???
well prepared...but the humidity and rain combined made everything wet no matter how well I had it protected in a bag or not...it sucked.....after that I have decided I would not be taping in the rain again.
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yeah, dats=moisture=BAD COMBO
my deck ahs shut down for a few days before AT THE MOEDOWN taboot, some kind gentleman lent me his spare d-8 tho :)
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Consider whether to run lower than normal...in some instances, it may reduce the likelihood of a big gust getting under the umbrella and will also make it easier to control damage if your stand is jarred loose...good luck, but you will need a perfect setup (and maybe divine intervention) to avoid issues if an all day tropical storm rain event hits.
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I would only tape in a very light rain shower. Very, Very Light. Anything else, it would come down.
I would think you gotta have rocks in head if your going to Texas this weekend. Even though Austin is not on the coast, your still going to get Hurricane or Tropical storm force winds. Even 20 or 40 winds when fuck up your day pretty good. Sideways rain and all.
Off the ACL Website:
Update on Hurricane Rita & ACL
Just like you, we are keeping a very close watch on the weather and are being advised by meteorologists. We do expect some rain on Saturday, so be sure to bring an umbrella and wear your rain gear.
If weather conditions appear to present any kind of danger to fans, musicians or crew, we are prepared to make the necessary adjustments to maintain safety. Until then, the Festival is on, rain or shine. Look here for updates.
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Thanks y'all! Great advice for this newbie. After surviving 3 hurricanes last year (orlando,fl)...and seeing the size of this sucker that's headed straight for Texas on CNN...I'm not sure if I'll even go.
I know it might sound cowardly...but unless you've walked outside your front door & seen 100 year old oak trees uprooted & tossed a block away, right on top of your nieghbor's house...been without power/air conditioning/cold beverages for weeks...and watching grown men & women fist fight over a bag of ice, you just don't understand. I didn't understand until it happened to me (3 times in a row last year).
Good Gawd I hope it doesn't take a turn for NOLA.
Anyways, we'll see. My plane doesn't leave until 6pm tommorrow. Damn hurricanes!
i would consider this plan!!!! we are still in a world of shit in south misissippi. i would not want to get there nd deal with traffic and no power trying to leave town. if you do go make sure you have plenty of gas before the power goes out.
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Starting from the top...
Umbrella...The stroller umbrella's are nice but prolly wont stand up to serious winds so look in to the vented ones...I have both and they both have their place.
Mics....shure screens and wrap the mics in syran wrap from capsule joint to end of XLR connection.
Stand...tent stakes w/ cord.....tape if you can.....weighted bags are a lot to carry but it has been done.
Cables...allow the cables to have enough hang so that the water goes below your bag and not into it
Gear bag... waterproof (scotch guard/gortex)...bags under and if you can put another CLEAR bag over the top that allows level viewing and access...a towel/wash cloth for soaking up ooops............
Pack a small tripod camping seat to put you gear on.
enjoy
jah
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Mics....shure screens and wrap the mics in syran wrap from capsule joint to end of XLR connection.
How about condons (no lube of course)? Kind of nasty, but may work great. :o
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"these tapes were made for her pleasure"
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get these: http://www.fullcompass.com/Products/pages/SKU--9431/
and these:
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I picked one of these bike trailers up at my local wal-mart this summer. It came in handy at Greyfox where I was able to run my iBook laptop rig the entire week thru rain, wind and hot sun.