Superior Sound for Music Gig

By Sean R Mize

I've been to a number of live gigs lately, small bands playing in little pubs, and I've seen the identical scene every time. The fold back is on the brink of feedback nonetheless the singer desires more, the whole mess is painfully loud and screeching, and also the band are looking nervous as a result of there are far more people walking out than there are walking in. The area in front of the stage could be a sonic void that no-one wants to pass through, let alone stand in. It doesn't take a genius to figure out what is wrong: IT'S ALL TOO LOUD.

What is the problem with musicians and small public address systems is it too arduous to understand that a box containing two fifteen in drivers and a horn is no match for two quad boxes, a bass amp, and a drum kit at full blast. Clearly, musicians don't understand the fundamental principles of excellent live sound. Therefore, I now present "Four Steps to Better Sound through Little public address systems".

Step 1: Garbage in, garbage out

This can be so blatantly obvious, I can't believe I am writing it. If you sound sort of a wisp on stage then you will sound like an amplified wisp through a PA system. On the opposite hand, if you sound sensible on stage, a smart engineer can create you sound great - and you will blow away the opposite bands that still sound like wisp. Therefore how do you sound smart on stage?

Step 2: Play balanced

Sounding good on stage begins by sounding good in the rehearsal room. Next time you're in rehearsal, move into the middle of the band and take a critical listen. Can you hear all the instruments clearly? Is anyone instrument dominating the others? Will it sound sort of a defined musical event, or sonic mush? If it's sonic mush, you've got to do one thing concerning it.

Step 3: Play soft

With all the instrument amplifiers down to zero, start enjoying a song. Hear the drums. Adjust the extent of the PA thus that the vocals are in a good balance with the drums. Take it slow to urge it right, because the vocals and the drums are your points of reference. Now, begin turning up the bass amp till it sounds balanced with the drums and vocals. Add the other instruments, one at a time, turning their amps up slowly till they match into the right balance within the room. If an instrument drowns out the vocals or drums, it's too loud. By now, you must be able to hear a a lot of better balance of the band, and the PA system will not appear like a useless piece of howling wisp.

Step 4: Learn to like it

I understand what you are thinking now: "my amp is not giving me the right tone", or "I can not get enough sustain", or any of a zillion alternative excuses for turning your amp up. Bad luck. The fact is that if you wish to sound smart through a little public address system, this is your solely option. There are solutions to most of those complaints that do not require turning up the amplifier.

Currently that you've got got your volume settings and instrument layout sorted, use the identical settings and layout after you play live (but turn the vocalist around to face the audience, after all!). Keep your amps playing to yourselves, and let the PA play to the audience. You'll get a lot of better live sound, and you may have so much less problems with fold back. If the venue's PA is particularly small, work with the sound engineer. You'll must repeat these steps throughout sound check. - 18762

About the Author:

Amperes Global Marketing was established in 2002 as a partnership company, the corporate early stage operation concerned small sales and promoting in Amperes Product. Year 2005, Amperes Global Marketing Sdn Bhd was formestablished and have grow and expand gradually in our brand awarness, market share in PA System Services as result of growth in company talent pool and expertize.