I recall working in a hall with a sound level trip some years back when Herga Kitty tripped the power without any amplification at all! The trouble is these things don't tune out the room resonances - hit the right note and no power.

If you need an SPL meter its too loud!

I learnt from books ("Use of Microphones" by BBC engineer Alec Nisbett is an excellent primer and available used on Amazon) music magazines, talking to people and just getting out there and experimenting. Start with samll gigs for next to nothing and work up. There may not be a "Teach yourself sound engineering" book but there are plenty of books out there on acoustics, loudspeakers, microphones, theatre sound and production, etc. Just read them all. In the US the Audio Engineering Society have lots of interesting publications. Knowledge of acoustics is important for live work - no nicely designed rooms like the studio boys get! My background in electronics design was a big help.

My motto was taken from the book "Stage Sound" by a chap called Collinson, seems unavailable now. He says "Good sound reinforcement is conspicuous by its apparent absence". Remember, for folk/acioustic music at least, you are simply faithfully reporducing the sound the srtists make, but a little louder.

Tips (others may disagree):

Get good quality mics and speakers. Easier now than it was 20 years ago when I started. If not you'll simply be fighting the equipment deficiencies.

That done, ignore the EQ controls, at least to start with. Keep mics at least a hand span back from the sound source and you should hardly need any EQ. Maybe a little bass cut if a vocalist insists on working close. Mid boost can help vocals to cut through the backing (good for dance callers).

Use graphic or parametric equalisers to take out room resonances before you start - don't try to equalise the room individually on every channel!

Keep it simple. Don't try to be clever.

Use your ears.

Remember that the audience are there to see the artist, not to stare at a bunch of metal work, or an artist with a mic for a head! I like to keep the stage clear and clean with mics, stands and monitors as inconspicuous as possible - "conspicuous by its absence".

Time to get of my hobby horse and go to work...


Bob