My Role As A Video Engineer

As of late I’ve been playing the role of video engineer. I entered the industry as an audio engineer, but ended up doing just about everything else. I think that’s the beauty of the live production community, especially when doing corporate AV. Through working the convention center, and the resorts around Disney became everything but what I set out to accomplish. With that being said I still mix audio at gigs when I’m off of work, and I still educate myself in that vein of the industry.

Working as a video engineer for Technomedia Solutions has been a challenging experience.  We work primarily with large vendors like Abercrombie & Fitch, Hard Rock, and Universal Studios year round. Earlier this year I was a part of the AV installation at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Tampa. This was a basic AV installation of the poolside private huts, and the floor. Over the last 8 months I’ve been a Video Engineer/Technician installing storefront video walls for Abercrombie & Fitch’s, Hollister Co.  Our systems as complex as they are, are fed by two sources.  A hub of Green Hippo Grasshoppers, typically four in a system are what run the HD video feeds to our storefront walls and interior walls.  Our interior walls are run off of a live video feed, which is provided through satellite. That is what we feed into our rack after it runs its course throughout the building, across amps, and pads to tune the signals strength to our needs. The storefront walls output resolution is typically 3840x1080, and displayed on anywhere from 35 to 170 monitors. To get from the Grasshopper’s to the video walls, they run the gauntlet of scalers, switchers, and transmitters. Once they leave the transmitters they output across our pulled CAT6 cable to the receivers in the field, from there it’s to the displays. Aside from the technical aspect of it there is an astronomical amount of video and control programming.  As much as I’d like to talk about the ins and outs of the programming, that’s the little secret to my job.

Our clients are worldwide and the new developing projects are immense. My role at the company is currently a sub contractor but this allows me to conduct my business as I please. Being a private business, without the commitment of a full time position, I can network and build a reputation in the industry so that I can help my career grow. 

My Present Career in the Show Production Business

Being a graduate from Full Sail University's Show Production and Touring Bachelor Degree Program, During my two years in my Show Production major, I focused on learning live event production, audio and lighting systems, audio visual technologies, and concert media design. The education that I acquired through Full Sail's Show Production and Touring Bachelor's Degree Program was the right combination of all the possible careers in the live event production and AV community. Ranging from the interworking of a loud speaker to the setup and turning of a home theater system, I definitely was educated on all possible levels of this career path. More information about Full Sail's Show Production Degree can be found at http://www.fullsail.edu/degrees/show-production-bachelors. During my studies, I myself mostly focused on specializing in audio engineering. When I graduated from Full Sail with my Show Production degree, I wanted to find a job in the audio industry. After working with career development for a little while after my graduation,  my main goal was to work for Clair Brothers Audio Systems. However, with plans of completing my master's degree in the near future, Clair Brothers was not the right career choice for me at the moment. Because of that, one can say that I am still currently in between areas of my career at the moment. I am first and foremost an audio engineer, however for the last five months I have also been a video engineer.  I got in touch with a company out of Orlando called Technomedia Solutions. Technomedia Solutions is one of the leading companies in audiovisual design. At technomedia solutions, I was hired a contracted AV installationer/video engineer. My job for Technomedia involves the installation of the video walls in all of the Hollister Company stores around the world. Technomedia Solutions is also responsible for the AV instillation in these stores. My main jobs for this company are located internationally, which to some may seem exhausting, but to me is extremely exciting and eye opening. Traveling almost non stop allows me to not only see the world, but also allows me to network with a wide variety of people while still completing my master's degree online. My company always makes sure to set me up with hotels internationally that can offer me wifi so that I can complete my school work, which I am extremely thankful for. More information about other work that Technomedia does can be found at their website http://www.gotechnomedia.com/. Working for Technomedia Solutions is a job that I never really predicted myself as having. For my entire life I've always wanted to work in the live production industry. I wanted to see myself working along side of a stage doing the audio and video work for bands on tour while I was employed at a venue. In my eyes, my current career path is just an example of how many jobs are out there that people may not even consider. My best advice to those who read this is to never close any doors, and to always look for a new opportunity. Just because your first goal doesn't happen right away, doesn't mean there isn't something better waiting for you.

The Reincarnation of the D5 Live: DiGiCo SD5

Over the last ten years the British audio console manufacturer DiGiCo has made huge advancements in technology. The D5 Live series was discontinued, but a praised live audio console. DiGiCo decided due to the advancements made, they would be re-releasing the D5 Live as a new addition to their SD line, as the SD5. With the release of their Stealth Digital Processing, the SD5 comes with the same state of the art proprietary mixing technology included in all the new SD model consoles. The progression of Stealth, and DiGiCo’s “green” mentality, SD5 is setting the standards for high-end console applications. The SD5 incorporates the Hidden-Til-Lit or HTL technology, which by use of sensors can determine usage, and make the control surface lit, and active upon touch. Three TFT LCD screens occupy the surface, while the two outer are for monitoring channels, auxes, matrixes, etc. The inner screen is for utilizing the home menu page that can navigate you to effects, graphic equalizers, and other essential plug-ins.

In my personal opinion I feel like it’s the SD line’s processing capabilities is what makes it so special, it is quite appealing aesthetically, but it’s quintessential speed and power is what makes it shine. Running 2 GB fiber optic lines internally, with the capability to service 448 channel in and outs that processes at 96kHz its functionality is unsurpassed. MADI controlled proprietary SD Rack allows for greater I/O usage. SD5 comes with 124 input channels, 56 buses, and the ability to mix in full 5.1 surround sound. The SD5 has 24 assignable dynamic effects, stereo time based effects, and 32 graphic EQ’s assignable to any channel.  With the new merger of Waves, DiGiCo now offers all Waves effects packages in their consoles.

During my time as a Full Sail student in Show Production and Touring I ran what was called “Open Digital Labs.” These were labs available to students Tuesdays and Thursdays welcome to all Show Production students. The digital labs offered you the chance to mix on all the digital consoles available in Live 1 at Full Sail Campus. These consoles included the Avid Venue series, and the DiGiCo SD7, as well as the SD8. Becoming quite familiar with the integration and configuration of the DiGiCo SD line I’m quite interested in seeing more information released on the SD line. The seamless mixing, and lightning fast speeds makes DiGiCo the leading name in digital consoles. 

References:

http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/digico_unveils_the_new_sd5_live_audio_mixing_desk_at_prolightsound_2012/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#When:13:09:13Z

http://www.digico.biz/index.shtml

Shure Axient Wireless Systems: Achieving New Ground In RF System Management

The new Shure Axient line of wireless microphone systems is a groundbreaking addition to the arsenal of Shure Wireless.  The Axient system is utilized using the Axient Spectrum Manager, the software Wireless Workbench, Showlink Remote Control, and the Rack Mount Charging Station. With the combination of these individual systems, Axient is a powerhouse in RF management.

The Axient's application is best used in situations where wireless failure is not an option. Such examples would be in a Theatre, Large Scale Concert, or even in a Political application. When a radio frequency is compromised by interference most systems will fail, in the case of Axient it's Spectrum Manager pairs two frequencies to a channel. So when interference is met, Axient seamlessly transitions between the two, with no audible drop out. The software component is where Axient is most user friendly. Workbench allows you to remotely view the wireless receivers to monitor battery life, the real time frequency bands, as well as giving you full control over module changes. In addition the Showlink Remote control uses a wireless transmitter/receiver to output a larger spectrum of control. Thus allowing you to cover more space with your system. Showlink is also how you can make real time wireless adjustments to your transmitters such as mute, RF output, and power. Power is a huge obstacle to tackle with wireless microphones. Most companies run off of a higher grade alkaline battery, which are often unreliable since wireless systems eat up battery life. Rechargeable batteries are also as unreliable leaving your choices slim, so stocking up on batteries and making constant replacements is the decision of many. Axient offers a new lithium ion rechargeable battery that used in correlation to it's rack mountable recharging station allows you to monitor your batteries life cycles, and status at all times.

The Shure Axient system is a new triumph in wireless technology, and RF management. Shure is one of the biggest names in professional audio, and they are clearly now the frontrunner in the wireless realm.

To learn more about the Shure Axient Wireless System go to www.axient.net for more details.



References:
http://www.shure.com/americas/news-events/press-releases/shure-axient-wireless-now-shipping

http://www.axient.net/en/

To me keeping up to date with all that is changing in your industry is of the utmost importance. For any aspect of the entertainment industry, this is true. So keeping yourself current is a sure way to keep knowledgeable of your trade.

In my industry doing so is simple:

Live Sound International is a monthly magazine that is free of charge. Covers all aspect of Audio be it Concert, Installation, Gear, or Editorials.
http://www.livesoundint.com/

PSLN is another great monthly subscription that has great editorials, gear reviews, and news about the lighting and projection world. They also have an app, so if you have a smartphone this is a great way to keep updated while mobile.
http://www.plsn.com/