2008 SIGHTSEER XII
ADVANCE INFORMATION
The 2008 Boat is the Sightseer XII The Boat is docked at Pier 83 which is located at 42nd street and the West Side Highway in Manhattan. The boat is usually docked in the closest berth to shore on the south side (to your left if you are facing the river) A parking area with covered and uncovered parking is located between the north and south berths. Unless specified in your offer / contract, expect to pay parking, as the area is leased to an outside vendor and not under the control of the Circle Line, The Purchaser or the Sound companies. Vehicles larger than a standard van can not be parked in the standard parking area. For tourbus, truck, or other large vehicle, be sure to make arrangements with the purchaser PRIOR to your arrival. If your tourbus is parked at World Yacht (one pier south of Circle Line) be sure to obtain valid contact information for the security gaurd who will be on duty at load-out (read: cell phone number) in the event your show runs late and the gate is locked.
PRODUCTION CONSIDERATIONS
Having music production on a river boat presents some unique challenges. Space is somewhat limited compared to theaters and larger venues. This is not only true of the square footage available, but the ceiling is only 6 feet & change. Over the years our goal has always been to provide superior world-class sound quality both to the audience, as well as the band. Adherence to our recommendations will go a long ways to to assuring the same. Rest assured, however that we will always listen to your needs, concerns, and special requests. After all, your the Artist, and we're fans too!
To understand our recommendations, you need to understand the physical environment on the ship
The stage is set across the width of the upper
cabin so the performance is sideways. There are no risers or formal boundaries,
however to insure passenger safety a buffer must remain to allow access to an
aisle and stairs to the lower cabin / deck. The maximum stage dimensions are
approximately 24' Wide X 15' Deep. The absolute stage-right boundary is set by a
bulkhead. The stage left boundary is set by the stairs to the lower deck. . The
support poles for the roof structure set the downstage boundary. The ships
port side is the upstage boundary. (see photo)
The above photo shows the low ceiling (which contains life jackets), The stage-right bulkhead. the Alpha e left channel house stack is visible beyond the bulkhead.
DRAWING NOT TO SCALE
Lighting is provided via 6 pin spots located in the ceiling along the poles (see photo above) It is impractical to use any type of spot lighting. It would be difficult, if not impossible to satisfy U.S. Coast Guard requirements. Besides, there really is no additional location where spots could be placed and still focus on the performers without encountering obstructions (i.e. audience, FOH, bulkheads, etc)
The pinspots are controlled by an obnoxious row of 6 1970's style rheostat dimmers, like you might have found on your livingroom wall in the pre-decora era. Some of them work, but I will try to make all of them work, as the lights are hot in the summer & can be pretty brutal at full power.
NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS!
If I haven't lost you already, let me share the details of our world-class audio system with you.
MAIN SYSTEM
The main system has some complexities due to the number of places we have to send sound. If this explaination is unclear to you after reading it, fear not! Our house engineer handles this on a daily basis. Most of the things you might not understand are setup at the beginning of the season, and fine tuned during the first couple of shows.
The system is built around a pair of 4-way NEXO Alpha e main speakers & a Soundcraft Series Two 32XLR input Console.
Mains: Pair of NEXO Alpha e (1) e-m high & (1) B1-18 mid-bass per side and 1 Nexo S2 2 x 18" sub woofer.
Run as stereo 4-way system via 2 Nexo 241 speaker controllers, controlled by the main output on the console. The mains are strapped to platforms at the stage-right bulkhead to provide coverage to the main audience area.
A pair of NEXO PS 10 speaker provide delay coverage to the area beyond the roof on the upper rear deck. These are fed via matrix 1 and a tap of the Yamaha DDL3 system delay. (this area is not shown on the diagram, but is aft of the covered deck where the mains are)
4 JBL JF 80 Speakers are mounted in the area of the stairs. 2 face the FOH position and run from the main mix. They are delayed & EQ'd via a Sabine Graphi-Q digital EQ, which also provides gain differential.
The second pair of JF 80's are fed via matrix 1 and supplement vocals in the area in front of the stage. The Yamaha DDL 3 (as well as the Ashley GQX 3102 eq unit) provides differential gain control.
Power for the main system components is provided approximately 6.7 Kw of Chevin Research power amps.
THE CONSOLE
The console is a Soundcraft Series Two 32 X 8 audio console. 8 sub groups.
It has 8 aux send, which are switchable pre-post in pairs. Additionally, when the pre-eq feature is selcted , any aux set to pre-fade is also sent pre-eq. This allows the six monitor channels to be run from the FOH console in the "normal" configuration (Your particular monitor setup and equipment will be determined & discussed during the advance process.)
Standard Configuration: Aux 1-6 pre & pre EQ = Stage Monitor
Aux 7 SPX 2000
Aux 8 Sub Woofer Mains
SEE DOWNLOAD AREA FOR PDF MANUALS
THE RACKS / FOH PROCESSING
(standard setup-additional info during advance process)
1. Behringer Intelligate 4 Channel insertable gate (Yean, I know, it's Behringer, but it works fine!:)
2 DBX 1046 8 Channels of insertable compression.
1 Yamaha SPX 2000 multi effects unit.
6 channels of Ashly GQX 3102 31 band Graphic EQ's controlling: 1. Subs 2. Mains 3. Aft PS 10's 4. Stage JF 80's 5. Stage Right fill (PS 8 or PS 15, Depending on available space) 6. Downstairs PS 8's
1 Sabine Graphi q 3102 - delay-gain EQ foh jf 80 pair. (digital w/ laptop interface)
1 Denon DN 610 CD player.
If approved by the purchaser, additional effects can be provided
The sound companies own and can provide:
2 TC D-2 delays
2 Yamaha Rev 500's
1 Yamaha Rev 100
1 Yamaha SPX 90
SEE DOWNLOAD AREA FOR PDF MANUALS
MONITOR SYSTEM
The monitor system consists of up 6 mixes of Nexo PS 15 wedges.
EQ is provided by 2 Ashly GQX-3102 stereo graphic EQ's and 1 Sabine Digital 3122 Stereo Delay, Comp, Crossover, Feedback Exterminator, Graphic EQ (Usually for mix 5 & 6)
Amplification is provided by 2 Chevin research A-5000 amps (mix 1-4, and one Camco Vortex 6 (mix 5-6)
Upon special arrangement, and only if purchaser approves expenses in advance we can provide a separate monitor console consisting of 16 separate inputs to 6 or 7 mixes. Stage dimensions limit the number of wedges to 6 in general, as more a) make the fit tight, and b) bleed over into other performers areas. Special requests for 2 wedges (usually for headliner only) can be arranged, again at additional cost to purchaser (mirrored pair) The use of non-mirrored-pairs is not recommended. The PS 15's are a 2 way 15" & 2" horn speaker enclosure with a 135 db rating. Due to space considerations, bi-amping is not possible on the Sightseer XII. We have extensive experience with these boxes in both configurations, and bi-amping is really low on the list of wants / needs. (Trust me on this one)
When using a separate monitor console, the sound companies provide 1 16 channel passive split snake, and an Allen & Heath 16 x 6 mix wizard.
OK Some of the above is mandatory, some is recommendation only. Be sure to ask questions when advancing your band's show!
MICROPHONES
(standard mics owned by Circle Line)
4 Shure Beta 58
3 Shure Beta 57
1 Shure Beta 87 Condenser
1 Shure SM 58
1 AKG 535 condenser
3 Sennheiser e 504 (rack) (Like the 421 capsule)
2 Sennheiser e 609 (black original - not silver)
1 Sennheiser e 602 (kick drum)
4 BSS active DI
2 Pro Co Passive DI
In addition to the mics the Circle Line owns, the sound companies have available at low cost to the purchaser:
3 Shure beta 98 (rack)
1 Shure SM 98
2 Shure SM 58's
3 Shure SM 57's
3 Shure SM81 condenser
1 Audix D-2 kick mic (very flat - add your own 100 hz peak) (I recommend!)
1 Shure Beta 52 Kick mic
2 BSS Active DI
1 Countryman Active DI
1 Passive DI
SIGHTSEER XII BACKLINE EQUIPMENT
The following backline gear is owned by the Circle Line. It is stored off-site. There are minimal charges to the purchaser for backline. Please refer to your offer / contract as to costs (if any) for your band.
1 Kurzweil PC 88 Piano / Controller
1 Fender Blues Deville 2 x 12" Guitar amp
1 Eden World Tour 900 Amp head
1 SWR Big Ben 1 x 18" bass cabinet
1 SWR Goliath Jr. 2 X 10' + horn bass cabinet
Smith Custom Drums
KICK 22"
SNARE 6" x 14"
FLOOR 14" x 16"
R3 11" X 13"
R2 10" x 12"
R1 10" x 10"
Standard Drum Set up: Stock Kick heads (Evans)
Evans G2 uncoated Rack & Floor
Evans G2 Coated Snare
Heads are not new standard, but are changed any time one incurs a visible indentation or excessive wear.
FOR BACKLINE NOT PROVIDED BY PURCHASER OR CIRCLE LIE: PLEASE CONTACT RALPH AT SIR. WE HAVE RECEIVED UNSATISFACTORY SERVICE FROM OTHER COMPANIES. SIR HAS RETURNED TO OUR LOCATION 3 TIMES IN ONE NIGHT PRIOR TO SHOWTIME WHEN WE NEEDED ADDITIONAL GEAR. HAVING TO REFUND TICKETS TO THE AUDIENCE WILL NEGATE ANY POTENTIAL SAVINGS FROM USING SUB-STANDARD PROVIDERS.
The preceding is for general information purposes only. For specifics regarding your show, please contact:
Marty Smith after reading the above
973 601-7566 H
631 375-8274 C
If you are happy with your sound experience, please tell others. If you are not, please tell us!
The sound companies providing reinforcement to the Sightseer XII have additional systems for hire for shows large & small.
System design & installation by:
Brian Infantino
Ocean Sound, New London Ct.
System Engineer:
Marty Smith
Ocean Sound West
Hopatcong NJ