The
Barn Theatre,
25 Bluehouse Lane, Oxted, Surrey
RH8 0AA.
Tel:
01883 713669
Email: Barntheatre
@btinternet.com
Technical
information
Stage Plan
Stage
Lighting
Sound
Operation
Backcloths
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Stage Plan Click on this link to download an Adobe Acrobat file. (To access a scale plan in .dwf format, first visit www.autodesk.co.uk where you can download a free viewer which will allow you to zoom in, scroll around and print the drawing and then download the plan.)
Stage Lighting Click on this link to download an Adobe Acrobat file of the standard lighting rig.
1. The theatre is equipped with 48 10A, hard wired, dimmer controlled circuits distributed via 15A RCD protected socket outlets.
2. Lighting bars are located above and to the side of the auditorium, in fixed positions and over the stage, including one PWB, which may be repositioned to a limited extent if required. A cyclorama 3 circuit batten is installed upstage and a further 4 circuit batten positioned mid-stage.
3. The theatre provides a range of profile and fresnel spotlights together with two 2 circuit ground rows and a number of floods. Other lighting effects available include LV track mounted mini-spots, UV fittings, strobe, mirror ball and music responsive disco lanterns. Eight remotely controlled 5 position colour wheels are fitted to P23 spotlights located on an auditorium bar. Two 2kw follow spots are installed in the gallery.
4. Spare lamps for all equipment are provided. Lighting gels in a wide range of colours are stocked and these are freely available for use. Please number all newly cut gels and ensure all are replaced correctly.
Approved Lighting Technicians
Frank Boonham Not presently available 01883 717437 Richard Grogan 01883 722080 Jim Lee jimsrainbow@hotmail.com 01342 833321 Brian List 07768 293123 Martin Lloyd m.o.lloyd@ntlworld.com 01883 730330 Phil McKerracher pmckerracher@tisl.com 0208 773 4294 Bruce Reed Barntheatre@btinternet.com 01883 741820 Carolyn Rowley Carolyn_Rowley@hotmail.com 01883 744810
1. Introduction.
The sound installation in the theatre is based around the sound mixer and a number of amplifiers and is run from the sound box at the front right hand side (facing the stage) of the gallery. The system has been designed to cater for differing requirements of users of the theatre, providing basic background music and public address announcements, show music/effects (fx) and full show reinforcement.
2. Sound Operators Duties.
The Sound Operator is responsible for the operation of the entire theatre sound system, including the main P.A./reinforcement and effects installation, the Canford Tecpro net communication system and the backstage relay system (locally under the control of the Stage Manager).
In addition to this the Sound Operator is required to run the pre show, interval and ending announcements (on CD, see below for more detail) to help front of house get the audience seated by curtain up and to ease congestion in the car park after the show finishes.
Important note: -
In the event of a fire or other emergency requiring evacuation of the theatre the Sound Operator will be required to make an announcement over the P.A. to inform the entire theatre (front of house & backstage) how and where to evacuate to. There is a special red CD marked up "Emergency Evac. Announcement" which will continue to repeat the announcement at 2 minute intervals for approximately 30 mins. This should be used whenever directed by the Stage Manager/Front of House Manager.Liaison with Front of House staff and the Stage Manager will assist in the evacuation, The Sound Operator should also ensure that the balcony is empty before making his/her way to the assembly point.
Important Note: -
There is an overall sound level limit set by Tandridge District Council within the auditorium, to be measured at the centre of the hall, of 110 Decibels ("A" scale). This level must not be exceeded AT ANY TIME during rehearsals or public performances. The continuance of the theatre's licence depends on this and it is the responsibility of the Sound Operator to ensure that this level is not exceeded. A sound level meter is available for checking sound levels, by arrangement with the Sound Director or any member of the Theatre Management. The Management reserves the right to demand that the levels be turned down at any time and if levels are exceeded despite warning, to pull the plug! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
The system is controlled by the 24-channel mixer and can be broken down into separate sub systems, as described below -3 System Descriptions.
a) Public Address / Background Music.
The background music system is based around a Talisman 1001 amplifier serving 100 Volt line loudspeakers placed in the auditorium and foyer areas. The new bar is serviced by its own amplifier and speaker system, fed via an aux send from the main sound desk. Switches allow the auditorium and foyer to be addressed independently or together. There is a microphone in the sound box, routed through the mixer (see below) into the Talisman and new bar amp. Background music can also be routed through this mixer into the P.A. system. Announcements made over this microphone can also be heard in the dressing rooms (if desired). There is a second microphone in the bar store in the foyer for Front of House Manager's use, which will address the foyer and auditorium areas only and is not linked to the dressing room system. The background system is not designed to provide high levels of sound and should not be used to provide stage FX or music.
b) Show FX / Music.
This system consists of a double cassette deck, Mini Disc player and a CD player. These are routed through the mixer and feed two pairs of loudspeakers on sub-mix outputs 1-4, one pair in the auditorium, either side of the stage proscenium and one pair on stands at the rear of the stage which can be positioned to suit spot fx as desired.
The Mixer controls the various sources via faders, which are labelled accordingly.
There is a twin cassette deck, a CD player and a Mini Disc player connected to the mixer. The mixer output faders send the signal to the amp/speaker systems and are assigned as follows; - FOH, L& R Ramsas; Output 1 & 2, Upstage L & R "Disco speakers"; Output 3 & 4. Outputs l & r (main) are connected to the two rear auditorium Ramsa loudspeakers and are normally used to provide sound reinforcement only. Effects can be routed to these outputs if desired. Outputs 3 & 4 can also be used to route to the record inputs of the Mini Disc. To record from the CD direct to Mini Disc select digital coax input on the MD and select synchro rec., then press play on the CD (having first selected the required track). This bypasses the mixer. To record via the mixer (to incorporate fades etc.) select analogue input on the MD, select synchro rec. and play the track with the mixer CD channel open.
Each input channel is equipped with eq. (tone) controls for treble, mid and bass frequencies, two aux. sends and pan controls. Below the pan are four channel select buttons to assign inputs to the output channels. Pan L sends the signal to 1 & 3 pan R to 2 & 4. Aux. send 5 is routed to the Talisman P.A. amp (described above). Aux. 6 is routed to the dressing room tannoy ring. Above the channel faders is a solo button, which sends the signal to the monitor buss for pre fade cueing, via headphones or (for rehearsal purposes only), via the small monitor loudspeakers. The level of signal in the headphones can be adjusted via the control on the far right of the output faders.
The house Mic. is routed via aux. send 6 Into the aux. 1 input of the Talisman amp, the channel assign buttons are normally off (up), i.e. the Mic. Signal is not sent via the group outputs. Music can be routed to the Talisman by opening the respective channel aux. 6 send (remember to close it again when not required). Further Mic. Inputs are available via Ch. 10 -15, and the stage patch boxes. This can be routed in the normal way and may be used for "offstage Mic." requirements. Announcements and music can be sent to the back stage relay via aux. 5.The amplifiers powering the stage and front of house loudspeakers are situated in the amplifier rack under the sound desk. These switch on with the master switch on the wall and their output levels are pre-set and should not be adjusted.
Users' information on the cassette, Mini Disc and CD machines is attached below.
Note:-
Details regarding P.R.S. returns are given in the hirer's pack given out by the Theatre Management.There is also a set of SFX CD's available for use. These are stored in the equipment box and should be returned there after use. On no account are these CD's to be taken out of the theatre.
The CD Titles are: -1. Essential sound fx; Various fx, water, exterior & interior atmospheres, horses, farmyard, sports, space, zoo, air travel, trains, motor traffic, boats, disaster, weather, footsteps, bells, music for silent movies (BBC CD792).
2. Essential death & horror vol. 1; Execution, torture, monsters, animals, doors, graves, musical, footsteps, death, accidents, misadventure. (BBC CD822).
3. Essential comedy fx vol. 1; Human, fights, footsteps, crashes, laughter, applause, animals, bizarre, birds, impacts, space age. (BBC CD843).
4. Essential sounds of the city; Interior & exterior atmospheres, pay phones, public places, demolition, electronic noises & alarms, heavy industry. (BBC CD860).
5. Essential animal sound effects; domestic & wild animals (BBC CD869).
6. Essential home video effects; atmosphere & music from around the world
(BBC CD853).7. Essential transport sound effects vol. 1; Land (BBC CD865).
8. Essential transport sound effects vol. 2; Air & Water (BBC CD866).
9. Essential sounds of the countryside; villages & gardens, woodlands & lakes, moorland & hillsides, farms & pasture, church bells, cricket, fox hunting, point to point, pub, village store, stables, blacksmith, farm animals, tractors (BBC CD861).
10. Essential sound effects of England; London, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey
bells, Covent Garden, London zoo, London taxi, pub interior, garden at dawn, garden midsummer's day, churchyard at midnight, steam trains in country station. (BBC CD867).
11. Essential weather effects; snow, wind, rain, thunder, hail, tornado (BBC CD868).A full index listing of all FX is included in each CD case.
c) Reinforcement System.
This system is used to relay actor's voices into the auditorium, to reinforce the sound level heard by the audience. It is not usually necessary to use reinforcement for straight plays, unless for specific effect, e.g., ghostly echoes etc., although the decision on whether or not to do so is at the discretion of the Producer / Sound Operator in each case. The system is primarily for use in musical presentations to enable the voices of performers to be heard over the orchestra. There are 5 shotgun microphones available, placed across the front of the stage on stands.
These are patched into the stage boxes, on the proscenium columns either side of the stage. These microphones should only be placed once all construction etc. on the stage is completed to avoid dust and mechanical damage, as they aredelicate electronic instruments. There are also two / three vocal microphones, Shure type which can be hand held or used on stands as required.
Finally, there are 8 radio microphones (tie clip type) which can be hired for use plus one freely availbale in the theatre, by arrangement with the Barn Theatre Management. Mics. are assigned as follows: - Ch. 1-5, float Mics. Ch. 6-14 radio Mics. The usual configuration is noted on the strip at the foot of the mixer. Radio Mics come into the mixer via their receivers which have to be switched on (also do not forget to turn on the individual transmitter packs!). The mixer is equipped with eq., aux. sends and pan control, etc. a digital reverb unit is connected via aux. send 4 / return 4 (post fade).
Tape outputs are available for recording direct from the desk (check copyright of material / performance before recording!).
The output signal is routed via amplifiers in the rack in the sound box. When in use the fans should be switched on to prevent overheating damage.
To use the equipment, first check that the "Auditorium Ring" circuit breaker in the Stage Manager's box are on, then switch on the master switch and socket outlets sited on the rear wall of the sound box. The various pieces of equipment will then come on. They are normally not switched off independently but if any individual piece of equipment does not work, check that it is on first. Then, in the sound box switch on the four 13A sockets on the rear wall below the shelves. Most of the equipment will normally come on as you power up; front panel power switches can control any items not switched on.
Cue discs etc. and test the system before the audience arrive, problems can usually be sorted out before curtain up, it is very much more difficult to rectify faults afterwards!
Before the show liaise with the Front of House Manager over the house calls.
There are CDs provided to make the pre show and interval announcements. The pre show announcements run for 15 minutes ending at curtain up. The interval announcements run for 20 minutes. The FOH manager has control of an interval bell, make sure that your calls coincide with this, or that the bell is rung on your calls. There is a track on the CD to run at the end of the show, marked "Car Park" which asks drivers to check they are not blocking in people behind them in the car park. (Not all patrons leave immediately and those waiting for cast members often forget they may be causing congestion in the car park).
After the show, to avoid congestion in the car park, liaise with front of house and be prepared to announce registration numbers as required.After your production please return all microphones to their cases, leads and stands to the control room, CD's to their cases and into the racks provided. Please leave the sound box and control room tidy and ready for the next user.
4. TECPRO Intercom Headphone Net System.The Theatre has a Canford Tecpro technical net system installed, for communication between technicians during a performance. There are 7 positions permanently wired in, these are: -
Stage Manager; Stage Right; Sound Operator; Lighting Operator; Follow-spot Operators (2 on balcony front); Producer, situated on the column halfway down the auditorium on stage left.
Sound & lighting stations are HS121 fixed headset stations; all others are 3 pin XLR sockets for connecting BP111 belt pack headset outstations. These are connected via standard 3 pin XLR leads and if required extra outstations can be added (up to a total of 16 outstations) by daisy chaining units together. If you wish to add further outstations please speak to the theatre's Sound Director beforehand. The system is powered by a PS711 power supply sited in the lighting box, this has 3 separate channels available if required. The installed system is all run as a single channel.
In normal use during shows a "Net Discipline" should be observed. All operators should remain listening to the net, with their outstation Mic. Switch off, chatter should be kept to a minimum, to avoid other operators missing important instructions or spill into the audience from headsets not worn (especially follow spot headsets which should be UN-plugged if not needed). If an operator has to leave the net, first inform the Stage Manager who might otherwise think you have gone deaf! Also PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR MIC before removing your headset to avoid deafening others still on the net!
The headsets are fitted with mercury muting switches in the Mic. Stalk which enables the headset to auto-mute when not worn in the normal position. If you remove your headset, please place it with the Mic facing upwards, otherwise the mute facility does not work.
The following warning notice is re printed from the Canford literature: -
Disposal Reference for Headsets Fitted with Mercury Switches
When headsets are repaired or thrown away, the mercury switches must be brought to an authorised disposal company or to us as manufacturers to be forwarded to the proper channels. The mercury switches must not be thrown away and destroyed with normal household rubbish.Defective headsets / belt pack s/ leads etc. should be reported to the Stage Manager and / or Duty Manager.
If you have any problems or equipment does not operate correctly, please speak to the Duty Manager or call Mike Sutton via the office.
If you require more information please contact the Lighting or Sound Director/ Trustee
Approved Sound Technicians
John Chinnock 01883 743402 Bob King 01883 723458 Paul Knight knight_pa_mjh@yahoo.co.uk 01883 714895 Jim Lee jimsrainbow@hotmail.com 01342 833321 Bruce Reed Barntheatre@btinternet.com 01883 741820 Mike Sutton mike@planshop.co.uk 01883 723867
Cloth No. Size Side 1 Side 2 2 12'6" x 22' Snow covered house (Xmas) New York 1890 (Street scene) 3 15' x 20' Baker St (15' wide) Village green (Panto, full width) 6 12' x 20' Pine forest/rocky path (Brigadoon) Folkestone seafront (amateurish) 30 12' x 22' Desert/palm trees (Panto) Suburban park 31 12' x 22' Peter Pan bedroom (Panto Spooky cave interior (Panto) 32 12' x 22' Carribean beach, palm trees (Panto) 33 12' x 22' London docks (Oliver, Incomplete) Yonkers N.Y. 1890 (Gypsy) 34 12' x 22' Posh restaurant interior Mississippi River with boat 35 12' x 22' Oklahoma, woodlands Dress shop interior 36 12' x 22' US rail depot 1930 (Gypsy) Bali Hai (South Pacific) 37 12' x 22' Distant castle on mountain (Panto, spooky) Portsmouth harbour 1830 38 Classic Greek garden 39 Old Peking (Panto) 40 Chinese garden with bridge (Panto) 41 London scene (Janie Harris) 42 Houses of Parliament (Iolanthe) 43 Magic pool (Iolanthe) 44 French street scene (unfinished) 45 London's East End Grand interior staircase 46 Sleeping Beauty frontcloth 47 Black & white classical country scene (Pimpernel) 48 Grey mottled cloth (Pimpernel) Garage interior (Sweet Charity) 49 Central Park. N.Y. (Sweet Charity) 50 Cornish cove & St. Michael's Mount (Pirates of Penzance)
