Proper Use of Audio Mixers and Floor Monitors The main objective when dialing in stage monitors is to provide the best possible reference for each musician to help them to achieve their best performance. Adjusting them correctly for each artist is critical to the performance of the band as a whole. Whether you’re using floor … Read More
Every genre of music is associated with a certain dynamic range, meaning the difference between the loudest and softest passages. The word “dynamic” is defined as “a force that stimulates change or progress within a system of process”. It defines how versatile a piece of music or a piece of gear behaves (musical instrument, amplifier, … Read More
What is the difference between a mix that sounds muddy and undefined and another that sounds crystal clear with definition and intelligibility? The difference is in the EQ. While often misunderstood, equalizers are the bread and butter of good sound reinforcement. Knowing the basics of EQing is one of the most critical aspects of running … Read More
You may remember from your science classes in school that the speed of sound is a constant, but this statement is entirely dependent on the material through which sound is propagating. Different medium transmit sound at very different speeds. So, let’s look at some typical materials that most people would encounter in indoor live sound … Read More
Once upon a time, churches had no sound systems. The congregation sang their lyrics and sight read their vocal parts from hymnals. Fast forward to today; most churches are using current technology including sound systems, lighting, presentation software, cameras for live streaming and more. Unlike church from ages past, we must consider how to integrate … Read More
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
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
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