Sound systems

Subject: RE: Sound systems
From: NicoleC
Date: 07 Aug 02 - 12:26 AM

SB, experienced singers usually don't like it, since it's harder to gauge what they actually sound like. And reverb muddles the clarity of the monitors.

But if a singer is having a bad night and starting to get frustrated, a very subtle smidgen of reverb tossed in (if you don't mention it) can lull them into relaxing. You know what I mean -- you get frustrated & tense, and it makes you worse, so you get more frustrated...

Subject: RE: Sound systems
From: SlickerBill
Date: 07 Aug 02 - 12:13 AM

I've heard that a bit of reverb in the monitor mix is a good idea, but I often forget to ask for it to see what it's like. True? sb

Subject: RE: Sound systems
From: DonMeixner
Date: 06 Aug 02 - 11:42 PM

Great stuff here, thanks. Any more suggestions?

Don

Subject: RE: Sound systems
From: NicoleC
Date: 06 Aug 02 - 07:16 PM

"Is there a square foot of audience size to number of speakers equation?"

The issue is less about number of speakers than it is kind of speakers. For most clubs, pubs, etc., two speakers will generally be fine. Reasons you might move to more speakers would be a room with a significant rake or a very wide room. With a wide room or playing outdoors, you would typically create a simple left and right cluster made up of two or more speakers each. This way you avoid the need for calculating delay settings.

A pair of well-constructed 12" wedges will suit the needs of most bands, like maybe the Ramsa A500's.

Monitor mixing is tough, especially if you only have one mix for a whole band, and every musician wants to hear something different. Investing in the ability to have at least two separate monitor mixes is good if you can swing in. There are so many in and outs... and this is why the monitor mixer is always the first one fired off a tour :) With monitors, less is better. Lower volume saves the ears and prevents territorial fights over the mix. Generally speaking, go with whatever works for the band, whether it seems wacky or not.

But often: Lead vocals should be on top, with whatever instrument is most crucial to keeping the band in tune and on track just behind the vocals. (Rhythm guitar is a big contender.)

An acoustic group used to balancing themselves without reinforcement needs to be able to hear everyone (but inevitably there's a monitor whore who wants to drown out everyone else.)

A shy vocalist may need a little sweetening of the house effects in their monitor to encourage them, but generally it's wise to leave effects out of the monitor mix. A quiet vocalist will usually project better if you bring their level down in the mix a bit -- as long as it isn't going to mess up everyone else on stage.

A fretless instrument may need more of themselves in the mix, but sometimes it's simpler to make sure the banjo player is standing to the fiddler's left.

Enough rambling...

Subject: RE: Sound systems
From: Willie-O
Date: 06 Aug 02 - 07:04 PM

what you should hear in the monitors is the elements of the sound that you reference to keep your own performance accurate--your own sound, and your bandmates'. Effects don't matter unless they enter into that equation. If the monitors are helping you and your mates they're set right, if they're throwing you off then something is too loud or not loud enough.

Subject: RE: Sound systems
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 06 Aug 02 - 07:04 PM

"there's no golden rule that's right for every occasion"

100% correct...

;-)

Subject: RE: Sound systems
From: Crane Driver
Date: 06 Aug 02 - 06:56 PM

Sorry if it's not much help but .... whatever works best for you. We've got a 6-channel mixing pad for the instruments with DI, which leads into one channel of a 4-way powered mixer/amp, then microphones into the other channels, and unpowered speakers. The monitors can either come off the mixer pad (instruments only), or from the amplifier (whole mix with voice). Which works best depends on the venue - soft furnishings/drapes absorb sound, hard walls reflect it, lots of people soak it up and so on. Like with most things, there's no golden rule that's right for every occasion. Sorry.

Andrew

Subject: Sound systems
From: DonMeixner
Date: 06 Aug 02 - 06:31 PM

Once again this old issue arises. Opinions on powered amplifier/Mixers versus Mixers and powered speakers. 12' speakers versus 15" speakers.

Is there a square foot of audience size to number of speakers equation?

What is a good monitor mix? Just your voice and guitar or the whole bands? Should you hear the fully blended front end or just what ever dry sound is produced without effects.

Don