hehe, i just found out, it was a narod niki concert (+ this swing orchestra):
http://www.mnml.nl/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=24828
but the fact, that this guy not even bothered to mention it, renders this article even more stupid!
Ricardo Villalobos
I think Jens Balzer heavily tries to make a name as the most pretentious dck in German feuilleton. Everytime I read his name next to an article I'd like to virtually punch his nose. He shows that he has absolutely no understanding of what was happening that night, for example the orchestra and Narod Niki didn't go over the same mixer, so Narod Niki couldn't work on the orchesta's sound. Also Ricardo is only part of Narod Niki and not the one who is in control. And Ricardo does play some instruments too, even ones that aren't purely electronic. Jitterbug orchestra solo was really cool. I don't know was that guy was expecting, but they were really fun.
Balzer was right about the acoustics though, they really sucked. The room was way too big and the PA too weak. You only had good sound standing right next to the speakers. The mics for the wind section of the orchestra were pretty bad as well, they were either too loud or you didn't hear them at all, when the musician just moved an inch away from them.
I also think Narod Niki and the Jitterbug orchestra didn't really work well together, and I guess it's the fault of Narod Niki. They completely failed at adjusting to the swing jazz sound, they just played their straight techno set all the way through, leaving it for the jazzers to put some funk into it. That worked good as long as they played together, but Narod Niki solo was pretty dissappointing, especially on that PA. They should played more in the spirit of that night, not just straight techno. Maybe improvising everything isn't that a great idea after all.
Balzer was right about the acoustics though, they really sucked. The room was way too big and the PA too weak. You only had good sound standing right next to the speakers. The mics for the wind section of the orchestra were pretty bad as well, they were either too loud or you didn't hear them at all, when the musician just moved an inch away from them.
I also think Narod Niki and the Jitterbug orchestra didn't really work well together, and I guess it's the fault of Narod Niki. They completely failed at adjusting to the swing jazz sound, they just played their straight techno set all the way through, leaving it for the jazzers to put some funk into it. That worked good as long as they played together, but Narod Niki solo was pretty dissappointing, especially on that PA. They should played more in the spirit of that night, not just straight techno. Maybe improvising everything isn't that a great idea after all.
"In my life I widened a lot of holes!" (Jeff Milligan, talking about slipmats)
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Some facts about the last narod niki performance (i was responsible for the sound, but was not the guy at the foh mixer) -
1. 92db limit. This should clear up any thoughts that the pa was inadequate. It is the same issue bar25 faces.
2. train strike really fucked us on materials arriving in a timely fashion.
3. electrical problem (buzz) during soundcheck. 8 quite experienced people could not get this to go away (hopefully audience did not notice the buzz). Same problem using the monitor mixer in a different venue the same weekend. One would not imagine a midas xl3 would give this kind of grief, but we are still trying to figure out the problem source.
We spent almost 20 hours total in the venue before the guests came in.
The peanut gallery will continue, but people should be aware of some of the underlying circumstances.
I would love ot try the idea again with a smaller band and smaller group of laptop guys in a different space
1. 92db limit. This should clear up any thoughts that the pa was inadequate. It is the same issue bar25 faces.
2. train strike really fucked us on materials arriving in a timely fashion.
3. electrical problem (buzz) during soundcheck. 8 quite experienced people could not get this to go away (hopefully audience did not notice the buzz). Same problem using the monitor mixer in a different venue the same weekend. One would not imagine a midas xl3 would give this kind of grief, but we are still trying to figure out the problem source.
We spent almost 20 hours total in the venue before the guests came in.
The peanut gallery will continue, but people should be aware of some of the underlying circumstances.
I would love ot try the idea again with a smaller band and smaller group of laptop guys in a different space
freeeeeee
Agree... but anyway considering they didn't haven't any kind of MIDI sync it's hard for 8 persons to be in sync with a human drummer. I think that the combination failed in the way there were too much sounds and all became messy. The soundscapes were hard to understand.Red Kite wrote: I also think Narod Niki and the Jitterbug orchestra didn't really work well together, and I guess it's the fault of Narod Niki. They completely failed at adjusting to the swing jazz sound, they just played their straight techno set all the way through, leaving it for the jazzers to put some funk into it.
PS: I wouldn't ever have made a Narod Niki with the 92db restriction
Damn, that sucks, Thanks for clearing this. 92db limit on such a big venue is a bad joke.Der geile Ami wrote:Some facts about the last narod niki performance (i was responsible for the sound, but was not the guy at the foh mixer) -
(...)
Did someone record the set btw? Like to listen to it again in my preferred volume! :twisted:
"In my life I widened a lot of holes!" (Jeff Milligan, talking about slipmats)
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the day was a nightmare, but an important step in development.Red Kite wrote: Damn, that sucks, Thanks for clearing this. 92db limit on such a big venue is a bad joke.
Did someone record the set btw? Like to listen to it again in my preferred volume! :twisted:
there is a recording, but due to the buzz, im not sure how usable it is. i dont have a copy and do not know about the recordings future. If anything becomes available for the public, it'll make its way.
freeeeeee