October 29, 2010

"We will fight day or night, rain or snow!"

Aaaaah... there is nothing quite like BYU Football! Er...marching band.

Saturday morning I was supposed to be to the stadium around 9:30 to get the audio recording system set up for the game that started at noon. I wasn't sure about the weather (which looked very stormy and was supposed to yield a large amount of rain) so I brought Craig along for the ride. I really don't want to do anymore game recording gigs without him. Joseph, the paid audio guy, got there a bit after 10 and we began doing our best to get the systems set up on both sides of the field. Just as we finished (successfully!) testing on each side, it began to lightly rain. In case you missed preschool, electronics and water don't mix well. Craig went off looking for plastic to cover the microphones while Joseph & I attempted to adjust the placement to avoid as much water as possible. Craig did come back with some plastic grocery-style bags from the bookstore (thanks, BYU!) but at that point it was beginning to rain too hard. Long story short, we ran over to the practice field (at Helaman Halls) to inform Bro. Mac that we felt the expensive audio equipment was worth more than a shoddy recording. We ran back and began tearing down as fast as we could. Our extension cord was already sitting in standing water. By the time pregame started, the sidelines were under at least 6 inches of water.

With the help of the video crew (Jon & Lauren) we were able to get everything off of the field and strewn out about the band facility. After everything was dried out, wrapped up, folded and tucked away, Craig and I grabbed the H4 Zoom handheld recorders, popped some windscreens on them and tucked them in the sleeves of our borrowed band parkas to attempt to get some kind of recording of the day. Surprisingly enough, I believe the best recording of the season has come from our handheld stereo recordings. I was able to take the files and edit them together and I think it sounds great- rain and all!

It was a great day!

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