Part Three
Safari, Scooters, and the Beach Bar Success
With the first show under our belts and the initial equipment hurdles cleared, the middle of our Turkey adventure was defined by a perfect balance: the professional pride of a job well done and the kind of hospitality from Derrick and Sheryl that turns a professional contract into a lifelong memory.
The Wireless Challenge: Troubleshooting the “Invisible”
While the first gig was a success, I wasn’t fully satisfied with the audio stability. We were using a Behringer wireless microphone set that was plagued by interference—likely due to the crowded 2.4GHz frequency bands in a busy tourist area. I found myself having to stand within a foot of Derrick, holding the receiver right by his feet just to maintain a stable signal.
At one point, we considered switching to the venue’s house microphone. However, upon inspection, a piece of tin foil fell out of the battery compartment and the unit wouldn’t even power on. It was a stark reminder of why I was there:
- Technical Insight: In the “Wild West” of international venue equipment, you cannot rely on house gear. If you don’t bring it, you don’t have it. We managed to survive the set through creative receiver positioning, but it was a clear lesson in the importance of investing in high-quality, frequency-agile UHF wireless systems for future tours.
Adrenaline and Appreciation
Between the technical work, Sheryl and Derrick ensured I experienced the very best of Turkish adventure. Sheryl treated me to a dirt bike safari, which was an absolute highlight of the trip. We spent the afternoon on quad bikes, navigating dirt tracks and deep muddy puddles. Being completely covered in mud and laughing with Sheryl was the perfect way to decompress from the high-pressure environment of the soundcheck.
We also spent our evenings zipping around town on electric scooters. There is something incredibly freeing about that mode of transport; it became a signature part of our nightly routine as we traveled between venues and headed for late-night pizza celebrations.
The “Consummate Showman”
The Wednesday night gig at a beach bar between Marmaris and Icmeler was the moment everything truly clicked. The venue was packed, the atmosphere was electric, and the technology finally took a backseat to the talent.
Because of the extensive work we had done previously in Manchester—normalizing levels and refining the loop station transitions—there were no technical fires for me to put out. For the first time, I was able to simply sit back and watch Derrick work.
Seeing him in his element was a moment of immense pride:
- Crowd Connection: He was a consummate showman, interacting with the crowd and introducing his tracks with total confidence.
- Musical Flow: The audience was singing along to every hit, completely unaware of the technical hurdles we had overcome just days prior.
- The Goal Realized: As a technician, I am used to constant problem-solving. But seeing Derrick perform with such confidence meant I had achieved my primary goal: creating a technical “safe zone” where he could just be an artist.
The Final Lesson
This success was a testament to Derrick’s hard work and the incredible support system Sheryl provides. It wasn’t just about the music; it was about the joy of seeing a friend and client reach a goal that once felt out of reach.
But even as we celebrated, the technician in me wasn’t quite finished. I had one more lesson to deliver before the trip was over—one that would unlock a whole new way for Derrick to use his equipment in the future.