Within the live production industry, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected performers, crews, theaters, venues, and concertgoers all around the world. HelloooTV brings the experience and connection of live music into the homes of every fan, while also offering support to the community of artists and crew members who have been financially affected by the pandemic. In the interview that follows, Producer / Audio Engineer Erik Rogers at HelloooTV shares how they are giving back to crews and independent venues across the country to keep the experience of live music alive.
Can you give us some background on HelloooTV, its mission, and how the concept came to be?
HelloooTV cultivates happiness through music. When a pandemic shut down live entertainment for the foreseeable future, my partner Paris Visone and I realized that our combined expertise could bring real production value to fans with livestreamed concerts.
We also wanted to do something to help our own industry. When tragedy strikes anywhere, part of the rebuilding process is to stage a benefit concert. People look to music for comfort; for reassurance that everything is going to be alright. When the music industry suffers where is the benefit concert? We became the benefit concert for the music industry, and we’re raising money to cover our production costs through advertising and corporate sponsorship. We are donating all of the proceeds to organizations like MusiCares and #saveourstages to benefit the millions of artists and crew members that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting economic fallout.
What can viewers expect out of a HelloooTV performance?
Our viewers can expect an immersive experience. Our shows are shot and mixed from the 1st person perspective of an audience member. Go back in your mind to your favorite concert experience. The energy… the point of view… the sound… our camera crew is onstage with the artist. Our director is working with the artist to help them play to the camera like that lens is a gateway to an arena full of screaming fans. The audio is mixed using 3D immersive technology to put the listener right there in the arena.
What are some of the benefits of attending a concert virtually?
The only benefit now is safety. It seems that weekly, someone tries to come up with a new way of having a “safe” gathering of people and the results are either a.) a localized outbreak of the virus or b.) unsustainable production costs. It’s not the right time to be going to concerts. Not now. Virtual concerts are safe and affordable.
Who are some of the most memorable recent performers HelloooTV has hosted?
The most memorable for me was the Loose Change show we did a few weeks ago. 30 rock and punk players from well-known bands all came together to play a set of 90’s rock covers. The whole shoot was chaotic and frantic. We had a limited time window to get the show done. After rehearsing the whole thing for about 2 hours we had to record it. With all of the changeovers between songs, plus reshoots it was a 3-hour session. After editing the footage down to a 56-minute show and watching it online from home with everyone else, I was having a great time watching my friends seeing something really cool for the first time- while trying to hide my smirk from knowing how much work went into it.
There are so many more. I have a special, happy memory from each show we do because I’m so grateful for the opportunity to still be doing what I love to do with my friends both on stage and behind the scenes.
How does the audio setup for HelloooTV differ from that of a traditional live performance?
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There isn’t much difference between HelloooTV and a traditional live performance. Just replace the audience with a camera crew. While the show is multi-track recorded, we don’t do audio edits because a live show isn’t edited. We’ll re-record a song if necessary but it’s still a one-take situation. We want the audience to have a concert experience and some of the best concert experiences are unplanned.
What is your go-to audio gear on the HelloooTV set?
The Audio-Technica 5000 Series RF mics have been crucial on the HelloooTV set. We have both 6100 (ATW-C6100) and 5400 (ATW-C5400) capsules for the mics depending on the artist but regardless, the front end of the vocal is going through the A-T wireless. The sound is pristine and the console processing on them is minimal.
Also, our studio is in the Special Event Services warehouse near the Nashville Airport. Needless to say, there is a lot of RF traffic going on and never once have we had a dropout or an interference issue.
Our whole mic arsenal is Audio-Technica.
- AT4047/SV – Drum overheads and also the “room” mics. These mics are the glue for the whole show, really.
- AT4081 – This is my favorite mic for a guitar cabinet. It’s a ribbon so I have to be very conscious of other noise sources around it but the combination of the AT4081 and an ATM650 on guitar is spectacular. The warmth of a ribbon combined with clarity of the ATM650 means all of the nuance and detail of the music being played is being reproduced.
- AE2500 for heavier crunchier guitar cabinets as well as kick drums.
- AT4050 large diaphragm condenser has found a home in our studio as the vocal mic for streaming, webcasts, Skype, Zoom, etc. They’re also very cool with string instruments in a quiet studio.
- ATM350 for toms and snare bottom.
- for snare top.
- ATM230 for snare top.
- ATM450 for cymbals, horns, and any small, shiny, metal instrument.
- ATM650 is our universal, go-to mic when an artist brings in something new to try.
Where do you plan on traveling for future artist line ups?
We’re in Nashville for the time being. Our original plan was to do a few in Nashville then move to LA, but the response in Nashville has been overwhelming so we’re going to stay put awhile. Eventually we will take HelloooTV to Los Angeles for another series though.
What comes next for HelloooTV, and how will the program change in a post-coronavirus world?
Next up for HelloooTV is more of the same. I am are so proud of our work. I can’t imagine stopping.
Coming out of the pandemic there will still be a place for streaming concerts. Practically speaking, there aren’t enough venues, gear, or money for everyone to start touring again at the same time. Entertainment scheduling aside, the sports teams and other events that share the facilities will also be vying for space and time. All the while owners and promoters are going to have to figure out new safety and sanitization procedures, and artists are going to have to make compromises in production to accommodate some of the changes.
HelloooTV will continue to grow. We will continue to be on the leading edge of immersive musical programming to keep audiences entertained. Hopefully we’ll be able to film shows on the road from sold out venues. Until then, stay tuned. We’re not stopping.
How can fans stay connected for HelloooTV news and updates?
We’re everywhere. Our Facebook and Instagram pages have new content daily with artist interaction. Our website is the central hub to find our merch and a list of upcoming shows. YouTube is where the hi-def shows live to be watched again and again and again.
Stay in touch with Hellooo TV: