Sound amplification

Following our outing at the Singapore Art Museum, Ivan had suggested that we consider investing in a set of microphones for the quartet for our future performances. I thought that was an excellent idea!
We have now performed in many kinds of public settings, including some outdoor stages (e.g. Chinese Gardens) and one concern that kept coming up was the proper amplification (or the lack of) of 4 classical guitars in these spaces.

Well, firstly the classical guitar isn't a loud instrument by any means, and it certainly isn't built for open areas - not without the appropriate amplification, that is.

Secondly, many of these settings are not well-equipped with the proper sound amplification for acoustic instruments. Most of the time, we were given vocal microphones. Since these vocal mics can only pick up sounds directed straight at them, we would simply position one mic for each guitar - placed inches away from the guitar soundholes. The resulting effect we get are usually pretty disappointing. In short, we'd sacrificed the nice, warm tone of the classical guitar in order to obtain an amplified sound which can be described as "coarse" or "artificial" at best.

Thus I scoured the internet for forums and discussion boards to find a suitable set of microphones for Guitaresque. It is clear that we need condenser mics, which are suited for recording instrumentation and music.

Of course there are many brands names that kept popping up - Shure, Audio Technica, Rode - just to name a few big ones. There were also tonnes of different models available, and some of these condenser mics cost almost as much as our guitars!

After doing considerable reading up on this topic in the many forums and reviews, then balancing our "non-professional" needs and also taking costs/practicality into consideration, I've narrowed my search down to this - Samson C02 Pencil Condenser Mics

A review on this mic can be found at http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct05/articles/samsonc02.htm

I have since ordered a pair of these from Amazon via Vpost services. And they're on their way even as I am typing this blog! Will try to do a simple recording test when we get them and post our opinions here then.

Guitaresque at the Museum

Guitaesque put up a 1+ hour recital at the Glass Hall of the Singapore Art Museum on 15th November 2008. This is the 2nd time the quartet performed at the museum, the 1st back in 2006, although the location was actually in the Auditorium of the museum.

What was so special about this recital, however, was the fact that it was the very first ticketed performance put up by Guitaresque!

While we'd previously been playing in free-for-public gigs all over the island, nothing tests our nerves more than playing in front of an audience whom paid to listen to us. And it certainly turned out to be quite a different experience.

In total, about 80 people turned up for our recital (out of a capacity of 120), amongst whom was our invited guest - Mr Alex Abisheganaden, the founder of the NUS Niibori Guitar Orchestra (GENUS) and a highly respected figure in the classical guitar space in Singapore.



Fellow guitarist (and the quartet's close friend) Balraj turned up to assist with our sound checks before the recital started, even though he was unable to stay around to listen to our performance.
(Ed: Thanks a million, Raj!)

Based on feedback from friends and supporters in the audience, the acoustics of the Glass Hall, complemented by 2 small microphones set up in a cross-orientation, was superb!

To be honest, we were rather tense and played the opening piece - The Barber of Seville Overture - rather tentatively. There were several nervely phrases, but as the song progressed, we gradually regained our composure and ended the piece on a high.

I think we did pretty good for most of the pieces, in particular - Moon River and Three Preludes were picked up by several people as their favorites for the night. Only Funiculi Funicular was - in my opinion - played below par.

All in all, it was a successful (and enjoyable!) outing for Guitaresque! With this first ticketed performance under our belt, I hope to lead the group to greater heights, and many more wonderful performances in the years to come.

Publicity post at SAM website