tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131834850989610161Tue, 28 Feb 2012 06:57:26 +0000"No one goes home humming the light show" Adventuring around earth from a sound perspective.http://daverat.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Dave Rat)Blogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131834850989610161.post-7990448946887796715Thu, 29 Dec 2011 21:27:00 +00002012-01-09T07:02:25.998-08:00 Well alright, I guess I've been mostly offline for a while. I took a bit of a social network and thought sharing break to acclimate and get my head around the realities of this 18 to 24 month jaunt Touring is a quandary for me and also like many things, I am really good at figuring out the exact same thing, over and over again. I love the travel and unfolding adventures yet I struggle with http://daverat.blogspot.com/2011/12/dave-rat-porta-blog-dec-29-2011.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dave Rat)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131834850989610161.post-4559420598717328311Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:58:00 +00002011-11-30T05:59:19.171-08:00Hmmmm, well I came up with a very simple subjective method of comparing digi to analog based on what I once learned from asking a jeweler questions. "How do you know a good diamond from a bad one?" Well he showed me the x10 magnifier and went on to show me flaws in various diamonds not apparent to the untrained naked eye that we clearly visible magnified. Hmmm, how can I apply this to audio? http://daverat.blogspot.com/2011/11/dave-rat-porta-blog-distilling-clarity.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dave Rat)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131834850989610161.post-7753843688671839673Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:04:00 +00002011-11-11T09:16:39.871-08:00 Well alright! The MTV club show in Belfast went well, as expected. Enthusiastic audience plus Peppers in small room always equals a great time. Back to the hotel by 8:30 and can't get in, hmmmm. Wristbands to get into the lobby? Really? Yes, I have room key, whatever, got a wristband and off to find dinner. Awesome tapas, wine and some acoustIc guitar guys rocking, perfect eve and http://daverat.blogspot.com/2011/11/dave-rat-porta-blog-belfast-to-glasgow.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dave Rat)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131834850989610161.post-7315411913852017124Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:11:00 +00002011-11-11T09:17:25.265-08:00 One of the the things I strive for is sonic consistency from show to show, worldwide. To achieve this it is critical to work with the backline techs to assure a consistent volume and tone. Once they find a good sound, I have them mark the settings, take photos and I photo as well. Then if we drift, we have a reference point. Furthermore I ask them to let me know whenever changes need to be http://daverat.blogspot.com/2011/11/dave-rat-porta-blog-belfast-smooth.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dave Rat)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131834850989610161.post-4610632316789646011Sun, 06 Nov 2011 13:46:00 +00002011-11-11T09:18:18.066-08:00 2 weeks ago - Rotterdam A large plastic cup following airborne liquid traversing what seemed to be a slow motion high arc through the air comes crashing down dead center on the console and the cool liquid splashes across my chest. Beer bombs away and instantly the full sound system mutes. Silence in a world dependent on sound. Red and yellow lights scatter across the channels as a http://daverat.blogspot.com/2011/11/mixing-consoles-are-never-thirsty.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dave Rat)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131834850989610161.post-7939323386986028848Fri, 04 Nov 2011 20:53:00 +00002011-11-11T09:18:59.101-08:00 Well we had great time on the first tour leg. I was way busier than expected so lagged a bit blogging, though I do keep up on facebook and twitter posts. Will try and focus more on mini blog posts and see how that works for me. So as we start up leg two and looking at my notes, thought I'd share how we handled a wireless reception issue for the band in-ears we encountered. It first showedhttp://daverat.blogspot.com/2011/11/dave-rat-blog-getting-stepped-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dave Rat)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131834850989610161.post-477684101728633330Sun, 23 Oct 2011 07:49:00 +00002011-11-11T09:19:54.945-08:00 Fell asleep on the plane as it pulls away from the gate only to wake up two hours later freezing cold. Shit, why are the doors open? Why are we so close to the ground? Why is the airport still hanging out under the plane? Just because they can't find source of a burning wire smell, we gotta switch planes? Whatever. Well, at least it so far looks like they are gonna get us out of http://daverat.blogspot.com/2011/10/dave-rat-blog-patience-and-smiles.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dave Rat)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131834850989610161.post-208580209628049522Sun, 25 Sep 2011 16:50:00 +00002011-11-11T09:20:47.055-08:00 Rock in Rio mix came in hot and solid. I stalled back at the hotel and skipped the 7:30 am lobby call near 18 tour-bus-less hours before the 1am show time. Sharp, fresh and clear versus loads of time to sort things perfectly., its a bit of a quandary as both sides have their challenges. Having my console and Jim FOH teching out here gave me the confidence to know I can do the http://daverat.blogspot.com/2011/09/dave-rat-porta-blog-driven-or-be-driven.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dave Rat)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131834850989610161.post-6373738355635548196Sat, 24 Sep 2011 23:04:00 +00002011-09-24T16:05:55.770-07:00 I'll start with a shout out to our Peruvian surf friends Thank you and cant wait to see ya next time! So I started thinking. Wow, have I been with Peppers a long time. Maybe 21 years and I still enjoy it. And then I started thinking, Hey, what was I doing 20 years ago this month? And then I realized that one of the things I was not doing was taking pictures but.... 10 years ago I was so, http://daverat.blogspot.com/2011/09/ill-start-with-shout-out-to-our.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dave Rat)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131834850989610161.post-276628241213205986Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:33:00 +00002011-11-11T09:22:43.347-08:00 I remember being in high school with long hair and the joy of being able to hide behind it. Watching the world I felt so disconnected from without its ability to watch me. I've learned since not to be uncomfortable feeling disconnected yet still enjoy the disconnection. Day off in Sao Paulo, Peppers tour surf trip #3 and rolling large. I love simplicity and freedom andhttp://daverat.blogspot.com/2011/09/noise-makers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dave Rat)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131834850989610161.post-266725134494792122Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:02:00 +00002011-11-11T09:27:25.792-08:00 I used to find way more stress in making life directional decisions. Oh, what to do and how to navigate all the choices? I remember the anxiety of deciding to forgo a conventional career for the uncertainty of what led to self employed and life on the road. Over time using retrospective happiness as a guide, I distilled a formula that works well for me. There are three primary http://daverat.blogspot.com/2011/09/dave-rat-blog-peppers-peru-decision.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dave Rat)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131834850989610161.post-5169787729189301613Wed, 14 Sep 2011 01:26:00 +00002011-11-11T09:30:10.104-08:00 One of the more challenging aspects of mixing sound is developing an awareness and compensating for the fluctuating nature of our humanly perceptions. From the inside out we cannot help but see the world and develop our decisions, preferences and opinions based on comparisons against the reference points we hold within our minds. "Am I Tired? Hungry? Warm? Happy? or Successful? Perhaps http://daverat.blogspot.com/2011/09/dave-rat-porta-blog-chaos-and-anarchy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dave Rat)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131834850989610161.post-5712784709878539947Mon, 12 Sep 2011 02:24:00 +00002011-11-11T09:30:52.898-08:00 Bogota Columbia and a nice day off crew wander and meal followed by a 5pm lobby call. 'Day before presetup' and though I don't like to gig hug, we really do need it. It's another ice cold audio start. This will now be the 5th time monitor eng Tim-Sam and I have dialed up fresh consoles, repatched and started from scratch. At least it is only for 30,000 people with "TBA" on the sound http://daverat.blogspot.com/2011/09/camping-trip.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dave Rat)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131834850989610161.post-1609378113660112344Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:52:00 +00002011-11-11T09:31:30.581-08:00 Just off the Metro from the train station, after a bit over 5 hours on the high speed into Paris from Biarritz. High speed mini 56 hour holiday in the south of France does not suck. Scott and I headed down there to surf big scary waves and that we did or at least tried. The adventure was wrapped around living large so the Ryan Air flight into a tiny Euopecar fit perfectly.http://daverat.blogspot.com/2011/09/dave-rat-blog-paris-sept-6.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dave Rat)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131834850989610161.post-6411854452974164057Sun, 04 Sep 2011 08:40:00 +00002011-11-11T09:31:56.994-08:00 Posh London hotel and I'd give the $50 breakfast buffet a miss if it was not included in the room. Stuffy condescending wealth is so annoying. Promo tours are an awkward mishmash of hurry up and wait, shaving down an arena setup into TV studios and small clubs, and absolutely no feel of rhythm. Facing four days off in London for the crew while the band continues with a full schedule ofhttp://daverat.blogspot.com/2011/09/dave-rat-porta-blog-surfs-up.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dave Rat)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131834850989610161.post-1832141052953549611Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:16:00 +00002011-11-11T09:32:23.427-08:00 The attention to detail that occurs in prepping a rock show on this level can be mind boggling. There are complex rituals that the backline techs go through from polishing frets, waterproofing against sweat and to bullet proof against a myriad of potential failure points. So for this blog I thought I would discuss the nuances of setting up Anthony's vocal mic. You are most likely http://daverat.blogspot.com/2011/09/porta-blog-paris-sept-1-2011.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dave Rat)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131834850989610161.post-1193019911915557446Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:44:00 +00002011-11-11T09:32:48.897-08:00 Oooh, Chili Peppers worldwide simulcast video shoot gig in Cologne. First order of business, drop some subs to improve sightliines. I don't think anyone expected that, as I walked in and said "take away that, that and all of those please." I try to never lose track of the big picture, as much as I enjoy shoe-horning a giant PA in a small club, today is about getting a solid clean http://daverat.blogspot.com/2011/08/dave-rat-porta-blog.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dave Rat)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131834850989610161.post-7734886322290525173Sat, 27 Aug 2011 21:51:00 +00002011-11-11T09:33:18.316-08:00 Random panic is a weakness exploited by the crafty. I find both sides of that equation apathetic. Being predictable offers a perfect opportunity to support the financial predators tracking you. Wow! The TV news sure annoys me. Airport adventure and off to Germany, bye bye for a month ending with South America stadium shows.. This last week was full of tying up loose ends andhttp://daverat.blogspot.com/2011/08/fun-fun-fun-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dave Rat)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131834850989610161.post-2744558009264518999Thu, 18 Aug 2011 05:37:00 +00002011-11-11T09:35:01.483-08:00 We've now entered the real ramp up phase of the tour, it's all about building the rock show. Humans from all over the world cluster in a single spot, gear gets wired, hung and tested. Concepts that started as napkin drawings and absurd "what if's" have mutated into tangible realities. Huge moving screens and light fixtures, nuanced signal paths the way sound will travel it's invisible pathshttp://daverat.blogspot.com/2011/08/wheels-and-wires.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dave Rat)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131834850989610161.post-5435774164835100082Tue, 16 Aug 2011 04:13:00 +00002011-11-11T09:36:03.186-08:00 107 degrees in the audience?  Yikes! Last night was not perfect but if the first full sized show was perfect, my standards would be way too low. It came up clear, strong and everything there from the get go. Am so excited today to have the console already set up, this whole "start from scratch everyday" gets old fast. So I am quickly developing a mix strategy and sonic feel for this http://daverat.blogspot.com/2011/08/porta-blog-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dave Rat)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131834850989610161.post-1785713714207547718Sat, 13 Aug 2011 21:47:00 +00002011-11-11T09:38:37.184-08:00 7:20 am lobby call, on a bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka and appreciating the little clicks of the non touch screen keyboard as I type this out on my mobile phone. If all works as planned, at some point I will hit send and the rambling words will post as well as tweet and facebook to give a heads up to anyone whom cares to read. This process is similar to when I first started touring except http://daverat.blogspot.com/2011/08/porta-blog-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dave Rat)6