I have reached a pinnacle with Decware. Over the last 22 years beginning with my first Wicket One build from free plans offered by Steve to the latest Tiny Radial Built, I have solid plans to finish my system. This post is not to hash out all the triumphs and pitfalls over the years but a confirmation of it's progress.

The journey unfolds here:
https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1581779674

This post is a recent experience that confirms the Chariot is on course with Decware.

I spent the last few days in Charlotte NC visiting my daughter Katie in celebration of Claire's 3rd birthday. As we often do when getting together a day trip was planned. This time it was attending a Sunday play at the McColl Family Theater of "Shrek the Musical".  A party was held on Saturday at her home which consumed much of our time in preparation. Not much thought was given to Sundays plans other than it interrupted my usual bike ride in sunny North Carolina.

We all went to the play. It started at 2pm and was a 2 hour performance with 15 minute intermission. The tickets were a birthday gift from their nanny to Claire and parents. There was 8 of us and the tickets handed out in random by Katie. Seat numbers were in sequence except 2 which ended up center stage half way back. Katie was able to get 5 more tickets at staff rates being the nanny is a member of the artist group. We entered the theater only to find that 3 of the assigned seats are missing. Unbolted from the floor! The ushers brought us comfortable folding chairs to use and some how in the shuffle Karen and I ended up with the 2 center stage seats!

We got to our seats just about the time the play started. With lights dimming and all the commotion, I really had no time to observe the venue. The play started and actors voices seem to be coming from a good quality sound system. As time went on I started to think that this sound system is really good. The music is clear and instruments are highly visceral. The sound so good it resembled a setting in the Chariot. I was actually wondering what system can sound this good in a public area. Are there tube amps being employed? Does my Chariot system suck so much that it can be duplicated by a few speakers in this theater?

The play actors were very good in the performance. It captured my attention and made good connection. But, my mind kept drifting to the music quality and surreal presence. Scanning the stage, there was a open area middle stage front with a console of sorts. There was a person in front of the console waving arms to the sides such as a director would do. Could there be an orchestra under the stage? Must be. I will need to research this venue after the show.

Turns out there is a 20 seat orchestra pit at the 500+ seat McColl Family Theater. It surely was being deployed at this show. Katie said she attended other shows that did not sound nearly as good as this performance. Her husband thought that the person was directing the actors. I never saw one of the actors look in that direction. The four person animated dragon was led by one powerful singer that shook the hall during the performance! Very powerful.

Does the Chariot suck? Nope, far from it! Can Decware perform? Absolutely! 80% discounted Shrek's admission compares to Decware's admission and knowledge base(free).
 
Steve and company have their act together

John

Oops...it was one of those unassuming days that turned out amazing! Children's Theater of Charlotte was very much a part of that day.

It was very refreshing to be absorbed in the complex after the covid driven solitude. We are already making plans to see "Annie" in fall. I don't think an orchestra will be used in the musical. The tickets are 1/2 the price of Shreks

John