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Dan McLean Jr aka, Magic Roadie Special user Toronto, Canada 804 Posts |
Hey, folks!
In the summer of 2003, I created a web site called MagicRoadie.com Taking the mystery out of stage technology". What I presented are “application" guides with easy-to-understand-and-apply principles concerning audio & lighitng, specifically geared toward magicians. The site didn’t sell any product or service. It was just my way of contributing in the best way I can. I had very little experience as a magician and was offered support from some of today’s greats, but I had little to contribute in terms of magic. However, I’ve been in live sound for 40 years, currently working at one of the largest concert touring production companies in the world. We supported 6 of the top 10 international concert tours of 2019, 13 of the top 20, and 17 of the top 30. That’s not to brag, but simply to indicate that I have a great deal of experience in a staggering number of scenarios, from all styles of music, to theatre, to corporate events, to houses of worship, to recording studios. Anyway, at some point a few years ago, I chose not to renew the Magic Roadie website. Over the past couple of years, a couple of people have reached out to see if I would re-post the articles. If I do this, it will be as a sub domain under my personal site and NOT using the magicroadie.com url. Is this something that is of interest to you fine folks? Articles include; * Speaker Placement. For superior sound quality, maximum coverage, and increased "gain-before-feedback". * Wireless, Part 1. Dispelling several "urban legends" surrounding wireless mic systems. * Wireless, Part 2. Proven advice on how to make your wireless system work as well as possible. * Pick A Mic, Any Mic! Learn about the different types of mics, (lav, tiny headset, full-size headset, handheld) and learn how to choose the best one for you. * Stage Lighting Basics, Part 1. Everything you need to know about the tools of stage lighting. * Stage Lighting Basics, Part 2. How to create an effective stage lighting design. * ”Advancing” Your Shows. Even part-time, close-up magicians can borrow a few pages from the contracts the big boys use. "Advancing" is the process of gathering your requirements and speaking with the client to make sure they’re handling all necessary arrangements with regard to your requirements. * Stage Plots. A good stage plot isn’t difficult to create, and should be very simple, cleanly laid out, and easy to understand. First, we’ll look at some of the rules of thumb regarding formatting & content. Then, we’ll check out a sample stage plot for a stage illusionist, and one for a close-up, table magician. * Pyrotechnics and Stage Effects. My friend LORAN contributed an article on pyro which includes a lot of the legal ins-and-outs. LORAN is an International Magician & Illusionist and a certified Pyrotechnician who has a tremendously charismatic stage presence! The articel also includes some extra info from the encyclopedically knowledgable Steve Zigmont! * Cue Sheets. Don't go on stage without one! All the how's & why's of cue sheets, with tons of tips, anecdotes and insights from full-time pros Dan Harlan, Loran, David Merry and David Peck.
Dan McLean Jr
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Michael Messing Inner circle Knoxville, TN 1817 Posts |
Hello Dan! It's great to hear from you. I consider myself to be reasonably well educated on sound (at least, for a magician) and really enjoyed the information you had posted on your Magic Roadie site, as well as the information you shared here.
I think it would be great if you re-posted the articles! If you don't get a lot of response here, don't take it as a lack of interest. It appears that many people have moved to Facebook groups for the information they used to seek and share here. Please re-post and I'll make sure to spread the word. Michael |
Dan McLean Jr aka, Magic Roadie Special user Toronto, Canada 804 Posts |
Thanks, very much, Michael!
There certainly doesn’t appear to be interest here, but I may re-build the site anyway, look for other places to promote it, and take you up on your very kind offer.
Dan McLean Jr
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drosenbe0813 Elite user Long Island, NY 405 Posts |
I'd be interested
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magic.99 Regular user 181 Posts |
Count me in as interested,,
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chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
Dan - While many of we older guys have moved away from technical equipment to minimalist Mentalism or Close-Up. a whole new crop of young magicians are coming up and are wasting money on DJ yech stuff. (OK, I hit a Y instead of a T -- but the idea is correct.)
I think your re-run of the materials here should be something that should be pinned to the top of the FX forum here -- especially for the younger tyros who have to grow in experience and need the real information BEFORE they spend money of underpowered LEDs and iffy controls using phone and bluetooth with mis-matchedDMX. I recently sold my classic lighting rig for a lot less (about $5000) than it cost including masts, sandbags, LEKOS, Pars, and longer throw spotlight with appropriate controllers, etc. with top line smoke machines and a couple of bubble machines. Small sound stuff goes next -- with an older set of wireless mikes, mixing boards and speakers for up to an audience of about 250 - 300 people and an early ankle switched cue system I had built to sequence music in my acts. (At 78 I am too decrepit to haul, set-up and knock-down myself) And over the past few years I have been selling my big props, only keeping those things I can use from a sitting position in a one location venue, maximum of 3-4 shows a week.. I guess, as I said above -- old magicians either learn lighting and have crews, or become mentalists. So, please, do republish your material -- and contact or moderators and founder to make sure they are appropriately referenced and/or pinned here.
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
Dan McLean Jr aka, Magic Roadie Special user Toronto, Canada 804 Posts |
Thanks for your input, folks. I've started re-building the Magic Roadie site as a sub-domain of one of my other sites. It's gonna take a while, and then I'll have to review things to update some 16-year old info!
Dan McLean Jr
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Dan McLean Jr aka, Magic Roadie Special user Toronto, Canada 804 Posts |
The new Magic Roadie site is pretty-well ready. I’ve re-written parts of some articles with info that’s had to be updated since 2003, like the popularity of LED lighting, and the re-introduction on VHF wireless mics.
In order to get the info to as many magicians as possible, what other sites and forums should I share this to? Again, I don’t sell anything through the site. This is just me trying to share my production knowledge because so many magicians have very generously shared MAGIC knowledge with ME.
Dan McLean Jr
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Michael Messing Inner circle Knoxville, TN 1817 Posts |
Quote:
On Feb 23, 2020, Dan McLean Jr aka, Magic Roadie wrote: Hello Dan! What's the Web address? I'll post it in the Facebook groups I'm a member of. |
Dan McLean Jr aka, Magic Roadie Special user Toronto, Canada 804 Posts |
The URL for the new site is https://magicroadie.danmcleanjr.com/
Thanks for your help in spreading the word, friends! Again, I'm not promoting or selling anything. Just trying to 'pay it forward' for all the help that magicians have given me.
Dan McLean Jr
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Ray Pierce Inner circle Los Angeles, CA 2607 Posts |
Dan, it is a real treasure to have some one go to the trouble to document the wealth of material you have on Tech items and it is much appreciated. Like you, I have spent the last 50 years as a TD, SM, LD, A1, A2, Rigger, Fly Rail Op, Scenic Fabricator, Musical Arranger & Director, Show Director, Choreographer & Producer. On the other hand, I've also toured with my Illusion show playing everything from Club Dates, to Casinos, Legit theaters and arenas.
I was just reading your notes on mic selection which was spoken as a true A1. Now, please let me speak as a working pro who has to deal with reality in the trenches on a daily basis. When I have my own team including SM and A1, I LOVE using a my Countryman E6 (or I also have a custom ear mic and head mic as well but those take more hands to put on and I usually don't have the luxury of an A2 backstage to help with that). I love having someone I can trust on my mic to mute it when needed and to make sure it is up as well. Even with a great SM (and I've had some of the best!) I still don't trust it when I don't have my own board op. Over thousands of performances I've just had too many mistakes on one nighters and that's not acceptable for me. If I'm going in for a one nighter, the reality is that with an RF Handheld, it puts me back in control of the mic. I can get it from a stand and retrieve it in the blackout (I have my own stand with Glo-tape on it.) I also have a neck loop I can use for all of my routines which I need to have my hands free for. I know you don't think it's professional but I can tell you as a working pro that MANY of us use this technique to keep missed cues from ruining a show. For all of my "It's Magic" shows as an example, It is my go to choice as again, It keeps me in control of the mic. I simply say "keep it hot" and there are no other problems. It is also perfect for cuing people as I can simply drop it as needed without depending on a board op to mute it for the correct number of milliseconds I need to cue the necessary information. Somethings are best learned through experience and every secret little piece of tech gear in my kit came from mistakes that kept popping up in the real world. Thanks again for all your hard work and knowledge ... just my 2 cents... YMMV!
Ray Pierce
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Dan McLean Jr aka, Magic Roadie Special user Toronto, Canada 804 Posts |
Hi, Ray! All that makes sense to me. Thanks!
Dan McLean Jr
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Michael Messing Inner circle Knoxville, TN 1817 Posts |
Dan, I just posted info and the link to your website in three Facebook groups I'm a member of. I hope you start seeing a boost in the number of people checking out the site. If I think of other groups that would benefit from your info, I'll post there, as well.
Thanks for putting the site back up! The info is needed. |
charliecheckers Inner circle 1969 Posts |
Hey Dan- Thanks for sharing the updated site. I recall reading you posts here years ago and you always had great information to share. I also recall looking at your site in the past to help in sound considerations. I will pass the new site link to my brother who can really benefit from the content you offer. Thanks!
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Dan McLean Jr aka, Magic Roadie Special user Toronto, Canada 804 Posts |
I hope some folks are finding the new site helpful. Thanks for your kind words!
Dan McLean Jr
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Steve Anderson New user Texas 30 Posts |
Thanks Dan for sharing your knowledge. I really appreciate it and I'm sure others do too.
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David Todd Inner circle 2328 Posts |
Dan, thank you for re-posting this useful information.
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