AV Equipment

Suggestions

Remote auditions may be here to stay.

It's a really good idea to invest in some basic gear to be able to record yourself, so you don't need to depend on hiring a sound engineer or renting a recording space in order to quickly put together a decent video for an audition. The equipment you need is actually quite affordable and easy to operate.

If you've tried to record yourself or you have toyed with the idea of offering a recital on Zoom, you know that there are some challenges. The video (image) part tends to be more forgiving. You can probably just use your cell phone, as long as you have decent lighting.

Getting decent sound in a DIY video is much more challenging. This is because the built-in microphones in your laptop and cell phone are typically not designed to handle an opera-sized voice. They are typically designed to filter out background noises, so your spoken voice can be understood when you're in a noisy place like a busy street or an airport.

This is why, if you try to play the piano on Zoom, it tends to sound like a honky-tonk. The notes don't sustain, even if you're using the sustain pedal, because your laptop's mic is speeding up the decay of each note in an effort to make the sound "crisp" and intelligible. So, you get dry sound with no overtones. Predictably, your big operatic voice, with its huge dynamic range from pp to ff is a big challenge for a built-in mic, as well. The highs will sound tinny, the lows underpowered. You'll hear noise and clipping. That mic is designed for normal speaking voices. You need a decent mic.

In the sections below, we provide some suggestions for equipment you may want to consider buying and using in order to prepare your audition with West Bay Opera.  Keep in mind that you will need a good microphone not just to record a video, but for a zoom audition, if you pass the screening, and in some cases you will continue to use it for remote coachings and similar activities.

We're not really at the point where we can do decent remote opera rehearsals, because of video latency and other issues, but that time may be coming too, pretty soon. It's just a matter of getting the technology solved. It won't be the same as an in-person rehearsal, but it may be the best we can do in some circumstances. On the bright side, it may help cut down some on airfare expenses and long stays away from home.  So, you need to seriously consider at least getting a decent mic.

There are many places online to buy recording equipment. Try B&H and Guitar Center. They tend to have a good selection and frequent sales. 

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