Regarding the sound in the main marquee, I understand completely Grahams dilema! I have been following most of the comments regarding this years SFF and with many people making comments on 'bad sound' in marquee one, I felt I had to say something to defend someone I know does a lot of good work!

Being a sound engineer myself, the problems associated with very large venues are often extremely daunting, and sometimes great sound is unachievable without spending 100s of thousands of pounds on the best pa rig on the planet, and even then I doubt it would be perfect!

As for the bass feedback comment, I suspect the person nearly got it right by commenting on 'air resonance'. All stuctures have a resonant frequency, the larger the venue the lower the note, and when this note is played the structure naturally amplifies it to the point of it sounding like feedback. Without extensive testing to discover the exact frequency, this effect cant be eradicated. Only a reduction can be achieved using equalising techiniques. The only suggestion I could give to possibly reduce a)volume levels and b)bass resonance, is to create more dispersion by putting delay stacks half way down the arena. This can often alleviate the problems of trying to drive the sound all the way from the front, and reduce the reflections experienced at the rear, ending up with less overall volume required to fill the venue.

Any how, Im probably getting a bit too techie, and boring the pants off anyone who is reading this. The point Im trying to make is that Grahams task is a very daunting one and I dont envy you your job of trying to sort this one out! What I do know though is that Graham has years of experience in the PA world and Im sure he has got plenty of ideas of how to build on and create more improvemants for next year.

PS The band I mix for is Elbow Jane, and although I was unable to attend SFF this year I do know the lads were very happy with Alistairs work in marquee two and also Grahams work in Marquee one! I was also very happy to know that my guys were in safe hands!

Keep up the good work Graham and dont let the whingers get you down!

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