An auto mixer, or automatic microphone mixer, is a live sound-mixing tool that automatically reduces the volume level of a microphone’s audio signal when it is not used. This is particularly valuable when several microphones are open at the same time, reducing extraneous noise. In this article, we will describe how the Auto Mixer function … Read More
To start, let’s recall that the low frequency energy radiated from a conventional subwoofer is effectively omnidirectional below 200 Hz. This is because the directivity of a subwoofer is related to the ratio of its size to the length of the sound wave it produces. The length, or size, of the sound wave is inversely … Read More
Perhaps even more important than horizontal coverage is vertical coverage, where elevation and distance become critical. A large part of proper loudspeaker coverage is finding a balance between loudspeaker distance and volume. To a certain extent, having loudspeakers farther from the audience makes it easier to achieve consistent coverage, assuming you have sufficiently powerful loudspeakers … Read More
Every venue has its own specific set of coverage challenges. For instance, a club with a low ceiling will never provide enough vertical space to fly a line array system, and in outdoor sound reinforcement, the absence of walls brings its own set of constraints. Indoor Venues There are two categories of indoor venues: those … Read More
There are a number of factors to consider when placing your loudspeakers to achieve optimal sound and performance. This four-part series aims to discuss a number of such challenges and to provide useful, practical tips to achieve great sound in any venue. While part 1 discussed loudspeakers’ radiation spaces and associated bass boosts, as well … Read More
QSC loudspeakers are well-known to provide high-performance, accurate reproduction of audio sources in a wide range of applications. However, unlike a controlled studio environment, the real world provides myriad challenges to achieving sonically-pleasing results with QSC or any other loudspeaker. The conditions created by room shapes, ceiling heights, the presence of acoustically reflective or absorptive … Read More
In the history of professional audio, the introduction of QSC Directivity Matched Transition® (DMT™) technology has been one of those ‘lightbulb moment’ innovations that forever changed how audiences experience sound. In order to fully grasp its benefits, and why DMT is foundational to QSC loudspeaker design, let’s start with some fundamentals of the physics of … Read More
Whether you’re listening to live music in a club, to a film soundtrack at the movie theater, or enjoying some tunes while wearing headphones, the sound you’re listening to is reproduced by loudspeakers. Everyone understands that. Now, designing loudspeakers, which produce sounds that are accurate and enjoyable, can be done in a few different ways. … Read More
I’ve been blessed to have been around some incredible musicians throughout the years. I’ve stood in awe and amazement at their skill, talent and total command of their craft, and on many occasions, struggled with the little demons on my shoulders whispering, “you need to practice more” in one ear and “you should just hang … Read More
Early 50’s audio researchers made key findings related to the human perception of sound, reflections and echoes. Their fundamental work is not only interesting, but can be used to our advantage in audio mixing and live sound applications. Let’s go through details and further insights here. To start with, our hearing mechanism integrates sound intensities … Read More