Hey Bryan, love the reaction! Absolutely love this show. I've done electronics in the marching arts for a while, so I thought I'd answer some of your questions! Electronics weren't allowed in drum corps for a while. But then, there was a rule change in 2004 that allowed for the implementation of electronic equipment. Since that rule change, audio in the drum corps sphere gradually evolved. Nowadays, it's pretty standard for a corps to contract 1-2 piano players that would play on synthesizers (if you look at Crown's front ensemble, you can see the two carts on the right hand side). On top of their synth parts that change sounds throughout the show, they'll also trigger those samples you heard. Sometimes other front ensemble members utilize drum pad (like what you saw with Crown), but for the most part it's only the synth players that control it. As for microphones, certain members who have solos will usually have a mic attached to their instrument with a pouch to easily store a mic-pack. This makes it logistically easier so you don't have to completely change one's placement on the field. Something that's becoming more normal is to have certain brass players from each section attach mics to their instruments for live mixing. If you look at the front of the 50 yard line close to the audience, there's a sound engineer hired by the corps to live mix all the electronics. Each corps usually has a few staff members that specifically work audio. Corps will also sometimes utilize large field microphones for volume, but I'm not sure if that's what Crown used here. Finally, as for your questions about the implementation, it is a polarizing topic in the DCI community. For the past two decades, it's become one of the biggest discussions regarding how it should be used, if it should be used at all. Personally, as long as the electronics are there to enhance the effect rather than distract from it, I love it when they're utilized. Drum Corps has become a lot more theatrical (hence the audio engineers), so it makes sense to utilize the electronics. There's even a designated sound designer on the vast majority of drum corps design teams that collaborates with the others to make sure it compliments each element rather than distract from it. Some shows utilize it better than others, and in the end that's based on personal preference. But I think it's made drum corps shows SO interesting in design. Also, in regards to "It's like having a guitar in DCI", what's funny is that there are now a few corps that utilize guitars even this year. And that's not even the strangest instrument! In the past, there have been solos played by theremin, electric cello, violin, keytar, even harmonica! Keep up the great work!
That's all so wild to me! And I still don't know where I stand on it all yet. Part of me loves to see ideas flourish and expand but there's a part of me that thinks DCI should stick to traditional performances. The whole idea of it becoming more theatrical also blows my mind but makes sense as well as those "gimmicks" (for lack of a better word) are what is going to help a group stand out and that will become the meta, forcing others to adopt it too.
@@CriticalReactions Check out "Troopers" Drum Corps, 2022 has the Cello, 2023 has the Harmonica, and 2024 has an Electric Guitar. Some other "Gimmicks" the Troopers are known for: Made the first Asymmetrical Drill Forms, Ever. First Corps to receive a medal with Women on the Playing Line (Troopers were never all male). Invented the touring drum corps model. The Troopers founded DCI in 1971 initially with the Cavaliers and then several other Corps. First Circular drill Form. Many of the Drum Corps making waves these last few seasons are drum corps that played significant roles in the evolution of the activity early on, Troopers, Colts, Boston Crusaders, Blue Coats.
You def need to react to inferno dci 2015 ( it’s the most insane and interesting show concepts that I have personally ever seen, one of the top shows out there)
Marching Tubas produce such a rich sound. And aesthetically just look better. Not knocking Sousaphones but its just something about seeing that Contra SNAP up on their shoulders with the rest of the hornline. Also the microphones are really only necessary for audio and broadcasting purposes. Make it way easier to hear all the details in the music on recordings. The pit on the field is also an aesthetics/staging choice. You should checkout The Cavaliers 2014 show “Immortal”. There are pit phrasing and visuals that’ll make you question everything.
You mentioned during the ballad the microphones on the bells of the flugelhorns and how they would have to set those and remove them before and after the solo/duet. They only used those instruments during that section of the show and used trumpets the rest of the show. Also because there is someone or a team live mixing the show many corps have the soloists march entire shows with the mic attached but only activate it/ make it audible when it’s time for their solo.
Having sidelined audio techs handling the activation makes a lot more sense to me than trying to mess with audio equipment while also worrying about placement and performing 😅
DCI level for bands would definitely be BOA! And they've been looking more and more like a bona fide DCI organization but with woodwinds. They're also all HS level!
@@CriticalReactionsOh, there is! In DCI we have a set of bands that make up the All-Age division -- the name is pretty self-explanatory as to who can perform with them :) Generally speaking, most people just don't have the time to participate in marching activities after their college years are over. But if you do, All-Age is a great way to stay in the arts ❤
@@CriticalReactions Like in sports, I had expected the performers at the highest level of the activity to be adults rather than 14-21 year olds, but adults over here don't have the time to be practicing 16 hours a day. Things would certainly be different if adult marchers were paid, like professional orchestra players. I think there do exist advanced adult drum corps in Japan, though I could be wrong.
@@jacksonhall3151 I hadn't considered the financial element. I completely forgot that most people pay a decent amount of money to be in DCI on top of the massive time commitment.
Marching tubas produce a much fuller, deeper sound than sousaphones. Much more orchestral sounding rather than tin can sounding if that makes sense lol.
Not enough blast beats for me... lol. This was absolutely breath-taking!!! amazing! Now you need to get some Blackened Death Drum Core to keep your fanbase happy (not me ofc.)
"OK, nothing too wild or impressive, but....." Really?? I honestly don't know how you can react to a performance when all you do is talk over the performance. You miss too much .......listen for a minute or so and then give some commentary, please. Your handle "critical reactions" definitely hits the nail on the head.
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Hey Bryan, love the reaction! Absolutely love this show. I've done electronics in the marching arts for a while, so I thought I'd answer some of your questions!
Electronics weren't allowed in drum corps for a while. But then, there was a rule change in 2004 that allowed for the implementation of electronic equipment. Since that rule change, audio in the drum corps sphere gradually evolved. Nowadays, it's pretty standard for a corps to contract 1-2 piano players that would play on synthesizers (if you look at Crown's front ensemble, you can see the two carts on the right hand side). On top of their synth parts that change sounds throughout the show, they'll also trigger those samples you heard. Sometimes other front ensemble members utilize drum pad (like what you saw with Crown), but for the most part it's only the synth players that control it. As for microphones, certain members who have solos will usually have a mic attached to their instrument with a pouch to easily store a mic-pack. This makes it logistically easier so you don't have to completely change one's placement on the field. Something that's becoming more normal is to have certain brass players from each section attach mics to their instruments for live mixing. If you look at the front of the 50 yard line close to the audience, there's a sound engineer hired by the corps to live mix all the electronics. Each corps usually has a few staff members that specifically work audio. Corps will also sometimes utilize large field microphones for volume, but I'm not sure if that's what Crown used here. Finally, as for your questions about the implementation, it is a polarizing topic in the DCI community. For the past two decades, it's become one of the biggest discussions regarding how it should be used, if it should be used at all. Personally, as long as the electronics are there to enhance the effect rather than distract from it, I love it when they're utilized. Drum Corps has become a lot more theatrical (hence the audio engineers), so it makes sense to utilize the electronics. There's even a designated sound designer on the vast majority of drum corps design teams that collaborates with the others to make sure it compliments each element rather than distract from it. Some shows utilize it better than others, and in the end that's based on personal preference. But I think it's made drum corps shows SO interesting in design.
Also, in regards to "It's like having a guitar in DCI", what's funny is that there are now a few corps that utilize guitars even this year. And that's not even the strangest instrument! In the past, there have been solos played by theremin, electric cello, violin, keytar, even harmonica!
Keep up the great work!
That's all so wild to me! And I still don't know where I stand on it all yet. Part of me loves to see ideas flourish and expand but there's a part of me that thinks DCI should stick to traditional performances. The whole idea of it becoming more theatrical also blows my mind but makes sense as well as those "gimmicks" (for lack of a better word) are what is going to help a group stand out and that will become the meta, forcing others to adopt it too.
Shouts out Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps
@@CriticalReactions Check out "Troopers" Drum Corps, 2022 has the Cello, 2023 has the Harmonica, and 2024 has an Electric Guitar. Some other "Gimmicks" the Troopers are known for: Made the first Asymmetrical Drill Forms, Ever. First Corps to receive a medal with Women on the Playing Line (Troopers were never all male). Invented the touring drum corps model. The Troopers founded DCI in 1971 initially with the Cavaliers and then several other Corps. First Circular drill Form. Many of the Drum Corps making waves these last few seasons are drum corps that played significant roles in the evolution of the activity early on, Troopers, Colts, Boston Crusaders, Blue Coats.
And the marching tuba style is indeed super common!
You def need to react to inferno dci 2015 ( it’s the most insane and interesting show concepts that I have personally ever seen, one of the top shows out there)
This.
THIIIIIIISSSSS!!!!!!!
Please do Carolina Crown 2023!!!
Marching Tubas produce such a rich sound. And aesthetically just look better. Not knocking Sousaphones but its just something about seeing that Contra SNAP up on their shoulders with the rest of the hornline. Also the microphones are really only necessary for audio and broadcasting purposes. Make it way easier to hear all the details in the music on recordings. The pit on the field is also an aesthetics/staging choice. You should checkout The Cavaliers 2014 show “Immortal”. There are pit phrasing and visuals that’ll make you question everything.
You mentioned during the ballad the microphones on the bells of the flugelhorns and how they would have to set those and remove them before and after the solo/duet. They only used those instruments during that section of the show and used trumpets the rest of the show. Also because there is someone or a team live mixing the show many corps have the soloists march entire shows with the mic attached but only activate it/ make it audible when it’s time for their solo.
Having sidelined audio techs handling the activation makes a lot more sense to me than trying to mess with audio equipment while also worrying about placement and performing 😅
THIS IS AWESOME!!!!
DCI level for bands would definitely be BOA! And they've been looking more and more like a bona fide DCI organization but with woodwinds. They're also all HS level!
The HS thing is another aspect that's kinda weird to me. Is there just not a lot of interest in marching band for anyone older than 25? 😅
@@CriticalReactionsOh, there is! In DCI we have a set of bands that make up the All-Age division -- the name is pretty self-explanatory as to who can perform with them :)
Generally speaking, most people just don't have the time to participate in marching activities after their college years are over. But if you do, All-Age is a great way to stay in the arts ❤
@@CriticalReactions Like in sports, I had expected the performers at the highest level of the activity to be adults rather than 14-21 year olds, but adults over here don't have the time to be practicing 16 hours a day. Things would certainly be different if adult marchers were paid, like professional orchestra players. I think there do exist advanced adult drum corps in Japan, though I could be wrong.
@@jacksonhall3151 I hadn't considered the financial element. I completely forgot that most people pay a decent amount of money to be in DCI on top of the massive time commitment.
microphones allow for greater expression musically instead of having to blast at fffff just to be heard
That's a good argument for them.
Marching tubas produce a much fuller, deeper sound than sousaphones. Much more orchestral sounding rather than tin can sounding if that makes sense lol.
Can u do another will wood video? Maybe on the new one or some of his older albums with the tapeworms?
Not enough blast beats for me... lol. This was absolutely breath-taking!!! amazing! Now you need to get some Blackened Death Drum Core to keep your fanbase happy (not me ofc.)
I.....I don't think I want that to exist lol
@@CriticalReactions hahaha...
Can you react to Caleb Steele - Radio Station! 🫶🏼pls
Forget all the mics and electronics, I'm still grumpy about the switch from G bugles to Bb trumpets
G bugles sure did sound nice but times are changing...
"OK, nothing too wild or impressive, but....." Really?? I honestly don't know how you can react to a performance when all you do is talk over the performance. You miss too much .......listen for a minute or so and then give some commentary, please. Your handle "critical reactions" definitely hits the nail on the head.
Dude chillax
If you wanted to just watch the show with no commentary, you can find it on TH-cam free of charge! 😊