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Live music performance has come a long way in the past thousand years, and modern performance has come even further in the past couple of decades. Amazing, innovative use of tech has let performers pull off fantastic feats – from aural experiences that just don’t exist in nature to epic, multi-part works presented by just one or two people.
Just one of the many ways people are doing this is via the creative use of live audio processing. So, here we'll explore a little bit of this brave new world and talk about some innovative audio processing techniques for live performances.
Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) have revolutionized live performances by offering a wide range of real-time effects and plugins. These virtual tools provide musicians with the flexibility to sculpt their sound on the fly and create captivating performances. With a DAW running on a laptop or even a tablet, performers can access a vast collection of effects, including reverbs, delays, modulation effects, and more. These effects can be easily adjusted, automated, and integrated into a live setup, allowing for dynamic and evolving soundscapes.
Not to mention, with seamless MIDI integration, you can control various audio parameters and other devices (like lights) via MIDI controllers, footswitches, or even automation envelopes. This level of control empowers performers to shape their show in real-time, responding to the energy of the moment and delivering unique and engaging performances.
Looping and sampling techniques offer musicians the opportunity to create intricate and layered performances using a DAW. By capturing and looping sections of audio, musicians can build complex arrangements in real-time. Whether it's looping a guitar riff, beatboxing, or vocal harmonies, the possibilities are endless. DAWs provide precise control over loop lengths, quantization options, and synchronized playback, ensuring tight and seamless performances. Additionally, the integration of MIDI controllers allows performers to trigger samples, switch between loops, and manipulate effects with ease. Looping and sampling can transform a single musician into a one-person band, providing the freedom to experiment and improvise while delivering captivating live shows.
Live remixing and mashups have become super popular, allowing artists to create unique and dynamic experiences for their audience. Live remixing and mashups provide a fresh take on familiar tunes, offering audiences a captivating and immersive journey through music. Kind of like a DJ on steroids. For instance, the mashup artist “Girl Talk” used mashups on stage with great effect.
With a DAW at the core of the setup, remixers and masher-uppers can seamlessly blend different songs, genres, and musical elements on the fly. Beat-matching, tempo syncing, and harmonic mixing techniques ensure smooth transitions between tracks, while effects and EQ adjustments add further creativity to the mix.
Incorporating sound design and synthesis techniques into live performances opens up a world of sonic possibilities. By integrating virtual instruments, synthesizers, and sound manipulation tools into their setup, performers can create custom sounds, textures, and even entire sonic landscapes. From crafting evolving pads and atmospheric soundscapes to generating unique electronic textures, sound design and synthesis techniques empower artists to create immersive and experimental live performances that push the boundaries of traditional music.
The emergence of spatial audio technologies has revolutionized the way live performances are experienced. Spatial audio techniques go beyond traditional stereo setups, providing an immersive and three-dimensional sonic environment for the audience. Binaural audio, surround sound, and ambisonics let musicians position sounds in 3D space, creating a sense of depth, movement, and realism. By incorporating spatial audio techniques into live performances, musicians can envelop the audience in a multidimensional sonic experience, transporting them to new realms of sonic immersion. Whether it's simulating a concert hall, creating an intimate acoustic setting, or designing intricate soundscapes, spatial audio enhances the emotional impact and engagement of live performances.
Successful live performances require seamless collaboration and integration between audio processing techniques and live musicians. This has always been true. That could be the traditional interface between the front of house engineer and the band, or it can go further.
Communication and coordination are vital to ensure that effects, loops, samples, and other elements align harmoniously with musicians' performances. So now, rehearsals and soundchecks become opportunities to fine-tune the integration between tech and live instruments, creating a cohesive and polished performance. By working together as a unified team, live players and tech wizards can deliver performances that seamlessly blend innovative audio processing techniques with the raw energy and emotion of live music.
In fact, this collaboration between technicians and live players, including people on stage and at front of house, is so common in live performances now, we often take it for granted – especially when it comes to major acts. If you ever watched a Twenty One Pilots performance, for example, and wondered who’s triggering the wealth of audio information not explained by the singer and the drummer alone, you’ve noticed this at play.
(Spoiler: in that case, it’s the drummer, and both players have a tempo reference in their in-ear monitors.)
It’s one thing to make amazing things happen in the studio. To create that kind of wizardry on stage is nothing short of magical. It may all be about tech, but it takes skill and planning to pull it all off in real-time. Live music truly has come a long way.
A standard setup for live music is usually placing loudspeakers on the left and right side of the stage. This is ideal for covering the audience out front of the stage. However, there are many instances where a venue may have seating to the side, behind, or even at the foot of the stage where your speakers cannot not cover. This article will review a few tips on placing additional speakers to fill in those areas.
If you are a sound professional and are looking to step up to a line array, a column or 10” line array might suite you. The efficiency and clarity of column and line arrays are the best way to overcome coverage issues as you can run overall volume lower without sacrificing coverage.
