Potential Set-Up for a Hybrid Choral Rehearsal

By Laurier Fagnan

​The following is a list of equipment required to run a Hybrid-style choral rehearsal which includes both a group of singers gathering for a smaller-scale, in-person rehearsal while most of the choir joins in on that rehearsal remotely, usually via Zoom. If allowed by your local/provincial health service, this can be a very effective way to continue rehearsing while pandemic limitations are in place. Of course, all singers joining in person should wear a mask and be placed so as to respect social distancing guidelines. In addition to the list of required equipment below, please also refer to the accompanying diagram which maps out placement and connections. Many thanks to Caleb Nelson of Silver Studios in Edmonton for his help with this design! 

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Equipment required

• *6 or 8 channel Mixer (depending on how many microphones & instruments you are using). It will need to have Phantom Power (48volt) to power the condenser microphones (most units have this my default)
• **USB Audio Interface – this is what connects all the mixed sound coming from the mixer to your laptop and enables you to send a digital audio feed of everything through your computer to your Zoom session. Some of the latest mixers* have a USB audio interface integrated into them, thereby removing the need for this piece of equipment. Ensure that the audio interface that is to plug into your laptop is fully compatible with that laptop.
• Laptop or Computer with Zoom (or similar program) capabilities into which the USB Audio Interface is connected
• ***Small Diaphragm (pencil) Condenser Microphones (between 2 and 5) - The number depends on your set-up and number of singers, but with social distancing taken into account, having at least one microphone per voice part is really a must. Your typical dynamic microphone for popular singing will not work here as they are meant for close capture. The conductor will need an additional microphone for any verbal comments.
• XLR microphone cables, mic stands with proper clips (same number as microphones being used). Many condenser mics (pencil type) require smaller clips than fat-bodied dynamic mics so make sure you have the appropriate types.
• Preferably a good electronic piano that can plug into the mixer (plus a cable, usually with a ¼” end typical for instruments)
• Possibly duct tape to secure cables to the floor and extension cord and power bar next to the mixer.

           
*There are now mixers that have an integrated USB Audio Interface, requiring only one major piece of equipment (aside from your laptop of course). Here are two examples:

• Alesis MultiMix 8 USB FX | 8-Channel Mixer with Effects & USB Audio Interface
• Behringer QX1622USB Premium 16-Input 2/2-Bus Mixer

 
**Examples of USB Audio Interfaces (not mixers):

• Behringer UMC204HD U-Phoria USB Audio/MIDI Interface
• PreSonus Audiobox96-USB AudioBox USB Interface
• If you have USB-C on your computer (new Macs), try the Steinberg UR22C 2x2 USB 3.0 Audio Interface

 
*** Good, reasonably priced condenser microphones that capture well from a distance:

• The Audio-Technica AT2021 Condenser Microphone, Cardioid ($130 CDN)

• If you have a little more money ($400 for a matched pair), the Rode M5 Compact 1/2" Condenser Microphone might be a good choice.

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Choral Canada would like to thank Laurier Fagnan for submitting this blog. If you would like to submit a post for the Choral Bytes blog, please send it to programs@choralcanada.org. It must be relevant to the Canadian choral community, timely,  national in scope, and the authors shall avoid any self-promotion or the promotion of a company, product, or performing arts organization in which they have vested interests.