This month found MKS Studio once again on the stage with performances of Peter Pan Jr. The presentations were held at the Marion High School auditorium – a venue well-suited to drama. I was involved helping my friend Allyn set up the needed audio gear which then interfaces with the house system. Once everything was in place my role was largely monitoring all the wireless headset mic units and keeping my eyes open for other ways to help as needed throughout the week of rehearsals and the three performances. It was quite obvious even at the first rehearsal that the leaders, volunteers and students had been planning and working hard on this play for quite some time.

Attendance went well, and following the last show it was pack everything up and get it transported back to its storage or place of normal use. Of course, there was a celebration afterwards at a local restaurant that had been provided with an early heads-up that about 60 persons were going to converge on them – and they did a good job serving everyone again this year. Hats off to everyone for another drama season done well!

Each year the MKS Studio Vivacé Select Choir records a song for a music video. Tesco Productions has had the privilege of providing the music production services for a fourth year. The Vivacé Select Choir is composed of the more advanced MKS Studio vocal students, and their annual music video provides them with a professional audio recording experience as well as the making of a video. In addition, some of the students participated in the unloading/reloading of the recording gear and also assisted in the setup/tear down. This year’s selected song accompaniment was prerecorded in the studio and then played back for the recording performance at a local church. There are two solo pieces and a descant in the song as well. The choir is directed by Monica Kofi of MKS Studio. We’re looking forward to the completed music video.

Most often in recording lingo a tune-up means getting an instrument or vocal on pitch. However, it can also apply to the space in which a recording takes place. Such is the case right now as Tesco Productions is fine-tuning the main recording room to better match spoken word recording – namely audiobooks.

The custom designed wall panels I made 40 years ago which are a combination of farm technology and fairly standard acoustic materials have served well, but it’s time to be more precise. I and a friend did a lot of change-out this past year with the replacement of some 40 year old ceiling foam panels and installing additional treatment. However, there were still a few problem frequency areas that sometimes popped their tones out and it was time to advance to a new level. After considerable research I arrived at professionally designed panels from GIK Acoustics that focus specifically on the remaining problem areas. Since I also desire to maintain the room as a music recording space I didn’t want to do over-treatment, and these panels should match that task as well. I’ll do an update when they’re all in place.