Interesting Set-up

Wanted to share a few photos from a beach ceremony this past weekend. The walkway to the beach was fairly long with a quick drop off. So instead of dragging all the equipment down the steep stairs, we went with 100 feet of speaker cords. Threw the speaker cords over the side of the walkway. Made it a little difficult given that I could not hear or sound test from where I was running the music. My other half advised me on volume levels by walkie talkie. Was a little rough but went well.

There was also a vocalist for the ceremony, that was supposed to supply the track on CD she showed up with a tape player. We ran the boom box through a microphone, through the same channel as the vocalist. Made it difficult for sound adjustment.

I don't know how well you will be able to see the set up but here are a few photos.

Absolutely beautiful ceremony.

Wedding on the beach?I like that!
Thanx for sharing Carolyn-werry nice pics.

I'm jealous! Do you need a roadie? :D Beautiful pictures, C. Good idea on the speaker run, my only question is how did you prevent people from tripping, did you bury the wire in the sand?

Yes Dan, buried in the sand. There are actually 70 people at this wedding, from the angle it is difficult to see the rest of them.

Also a big deal is to make sure that the audio travels with the wind. If you go against the wind you hear pretty much nothing. That's probably one of the biggest issues about the beach. You really don't know where you are going to set up until you get there.

That's the truth. Wind and the noise from the surf. :eek:

Carolyn, are those spot monitors? Reason I ask, they look good. Nice, compact speaker systems that have some very sweet tone. :)

Hey Carolyn. It was nice meeting you at the Tuesday Morning Marketing Breakfast in Vegas this year. Nice setup and I like the way you have your gear mounted, but I do have to comment it may be time to upgrade that plywood box. :)

Hey Carolyn. It was nice meeting you at the Tuesday Morning Marketing Breakfast in Vegas this year. Nice setup and I like the way you have your gear mounted, but I do have to comment it may be time to upgrade that plywood box. :)

Hey Sarge,

I like the box, but thanks for the input.

I have quite a few back issues, all my gear is mounted in plywood boxes that I had made. Too limit the amount of bending.


Fred,

These speakers are pretty cool self contained rechargeable batteries. The largest beach Wedding Ceremony we've worked with these was 130.




Crate TX15 Taxi Battery-Powered Combo Amp Specifications:

14-1/2"W x 11-3/4"H x 12"D
20 lbs.
Crate TX15 Taxi Battery-Powered Combo Amp Features:

15W battery power
8" woofer with piezo tweeter
2-channel operation
XLR input on 1st channel for plugging in a mic
4-band master EQ
Dual RCA CD input
1/4" headphone jack
Crate TX15 Taxi Battery-Powered Combo Amp Includes:

120-volt wall charger/adapter

Here are a couple pics from a different wedding. Normally the box is covered, I was out of site for the other wedding posted.

I read a post where you had mentioned your back problems and I understand the box set up the way you have it. I like the set up and just may steal your idea in the future. I just meant some new plywood that was a bit smoother. You can get a primer that will actually hide the swirling wood patterns so when it's painted the surface looks very smooth. I'm also thinking 1/4" plywood with furring strips may be a bit lighter for you to lift and move around. I made a base for my rack to set on out of 1/4" with wheels and covered with carpet so I can roll it in and out, but carpet may not be a good choice around the sand.


Cool speakers!! I like that!!

Carolyn,

Nice idea - Maybe I'm not seeing it as clearly as others, but how are you powering your ceremony system? (Inc. mics)

Thanks!

Joe

Carolyn : You probably already have all the stuff you need to go wireless thus eliminating those long cable runs and resultant liability issues.

Then there's another option assuming there's 110v AC power.

{Here it comes, gang!}

Main mixer rig up on the boardwalk, wirelessly transmitting mono to a single L1 into channel 4, adjust volume. Connect the guitar into channel 3, adjust volume. Connect guitarists mic into channel 2, adjust preset and volume, connect Officiant's mic into channel 1, adjust preset and volume. No need for a walkie talkie, you'll hear everything perfectly a 100 yards away.

L1 M-1 Power-stand = 33 pounds
L1 M-1 Radiator (top) = 15 pounds
L1 M-1 Radiator (bottom) = 14.5 pounds
B1 Bass Bin = 28 pounds

Setup time, maybe 8-10 minutes for full beach coverage, feedback free.

Might look something like this (system can be used for either remote ceremony or remote cocktail hour):

In this case, the main console was inside the building wirelessly connected to the outdoor system (thus the music was seamless for those going in and out of the building).

http://www.capcapello.com/sony/uhf-cocktail-rsmanor.jpg

The wireless receiver is attached (Velcro) to the radiator and the mono output connected to channel 3:

http://www.capcapello.com/sony/uhf-radiator.jpg

http://www.capcapello.com/sony/uhf-powerstand.jpg

This now leaves three more inputs into powerstand available for your use (mics, CD player, tape players, guitars, effects pedals, etc). No need for a mixer. The power stand acts as one.

Here's another shot using the L1 in a more awkward situation with people surrounding the L1. Even though the space was fully musically covered, there was not one complaint about volume, not even from any of the 3 bartenders who were 10' away from the unit while attending to the libational needs of the 220+ guests crammed in this tiny railroad car space:

http://www.capcapello.com/sony/uhf-cocktail-gideon.jpg

Food for thought. (wink wink nudge nudge)

Carolyn,

Nice idea - Maybe I'm not seeing it as clearly as others, but how are you powering your ceremony system? (Inc. mics)

Thanks!

Joe

The speakers have internal rechargable batteries. The mics, mixer, and player are all run off of a rechargeable power inverter 400W from the local auto parts store.

Have to warn you though see all the sand on the batteries, equipment takes a beating out there. Although that battery is tough, have gone through a few players due to sand.




Hi Cap,

Yes, Someday I plan on buying the Bose system.

That's the truth. The beach environment can play hell on electronic equipment. Salty air that's corrosive and sand that gets into everything. On a very dry day, beach sand is dusty. And there's always a breeze coming in off the ocean. The breeze carries dust with it. You don't realize it 'til you get your rig home and look at it.

Carolyn, those rechargeable systems are really nice. I've read some good reviews about them. The 8" bass drivers deliver some sweet vocal tone and it carries well over the ambient noise. :)

They don't allow chairs on the beach for weddings here.... I know silly huh? People have to stand... they used to but they are cracking down on that....

anyway,,, nice set up... works great!