On the Road: Ani DiFranco
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM
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This Month in Mix
Photo: Dave Vann
Front-of-house engineer John Lee Hardee was recently spotted at the Langerado Festival mixing for Ani DiFranco. Here's what he says about mixing up his style for festival performances; for a photo gallery, visit mixonline.com.
How much gear are you carrying?
We are carrying everything — except FOH! Why carry a desk when you can just carry a card? It fits in the palm of my hand. I have been mixing the show on the Digidesign D-Show (my personal fave), and the Yamaha 5D and M7. We have the Yamaha M7 for monitors, as well as an Audix, AKG and Sennheiser mics.
How do you keep her vocal up-front?
Ani has a witty inflection and pronunciation, which gives her voice presence and an amazing beauty. We use the Audix OM5 to demonstrate these qualities as naturally as possible. This mic has the two things I'm listening for: warmth and clarity. I also use a BSS DPR-402, barely working the compressor. But the de-esser earns its money every night. She sings, she recites poetry, she talks, she whispers and she shouts.
Do you have a specific mixing technique?
Delicate and in your face — all at the same time. There are a lot of intricacies and a lot of spaces. The musicianship is mind-boggling. Recently, Ani and Todd [Sickafoose] are joined onstage by the amazing Allison Miller on drums and backing vocals, along with Mike Dillon on vibraphones, marimbas, tablas and various other percussion. It's completely acoustic and organic.
Does your style change when you're at a festival?
I turn it up. Our usual setting would be a theater, symphony hall or auditorium, so when we get outside, circumstances allowing, I give it some gas. I'll goose the kick drum a little extra, make sure the bass is covering the area and have some fun.
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