Audio Info & Education

If you've ever used a sound mixer larger than a tiny portable head-type, you probably noticed that each channel strip has a knob marked "gain" (or on some it could say “Trim”) at the top. You might even have figured out that when you turn it up the signal gets louder.  But what does the gain control really do, and how do you set it optimally to make your system sound its best? It turns out there is a very important reason for this almost universal feature.  Let's talk about "What Can Gain Do for You?"

50 years ago The Beatles performed at Shea Stadium to a crowd response so enthusiastic that you couldn't hear the band. From the moment that Ed Sullivan introduced the band, rock music history was changed forever. It was August 15, 1965 and Beatlemania had definitely infected the US rock audience, spawning the famous scenes of them running away from crowds of screaming girls.

"Ringing out" the monitors is an expression that describes the technique of locating and adjusting the frequencies most prone to oscillation in the stage environment to achieve the highest possible gain before feedback. Assuming you have set up the stage to your advantage as we discussed in Part 1, you should already have a good start towards achieving loud, clean monitors without feedback. Now it is time to optimize (or 'ring out') those monitors!

Have you ever struggled with stage monitor feedback that you couldn't control? Or maybe you found that you couldn't get enough volume and clarity out of your system without causing feedback? If so, you might want to master the lost art of 'ringing out' your stage monitor system. What does it mean to 'ring out' your monitors and how will it help you overcome feedback issues? I'm glad you asked! In this series we'll examine the world of live sound on stage and see how this essential technique can yield huge gains (no pun intended) in terms of quality sound on stage.

Singers in bands of all styles tend to face a very familiar problem: the inability to hear themselves when singing along with the band. This frustrating problem can cause vocalists to strain their voice trying to over project and have problems with pitch ultimately giving less than their best performance. The human voice has its own distinct limitations- unlike an electric guitar or bass, a singer cannot simply turn up the volume on his or her amp if they are not cutting through. However, taking advantage of technology can help vocalists hear themselves over the din of a loud band.

When trying to choose the best speaker system for your application you may find yourself confronted by a bewildering list of specifications. You might be thinking, "I just need to pick a speaker that is a good fit for my power amplifier. Why does this say 600 watts in one place and 2400 watts in another? What do all these numbers and unfamiliar words mean?" There seem to be a lot of variables to consider but what do they tell you about the system's capabilities? Let's take a look at some commonly published specifications you might encounter and become familiar with their meaning and application.

Once you’ve assembled the pro audio or bass rig of your dreams and racked it in a road case for good measure, it’s time to think about the best way to keep all your valuable equipment powered up and protected.

In the last segment, we discussed the basic functions of mixers and why they are essential to a live sound setup and the everyday gigging musician. In this piece we will discuss the different types of mixers available and help you decide which one is best for your setup. 

A good mixer is an essential component of a live show. Even though the band and audience members alike may go the whole night without even seeing the mixer, this little piece of equipment has a big role in providing the best possible sound to the stage and the house.

Whether you’re jamming with a garage band or playing stadiums, it’s essential to protect your hearing. Our hearing is one of our most valuable tools we have as musicians, and once it’s gone it’s gone for good. In fact, if you leave a gig with your ears ringing, permanent damage has already been done to your hearing. Furthermore, if you constantly expose yourself to excessively loud volumes over a long period of time, you may develop Tinnitus, which is a constant ringing in your ears. In severe cases, that ringing may turn into buzzing, humming, or even singing sounds. Any kind of additional voices in your head is definitely something you want to avoid.

Throughout the course of my career in audio production I have provided audio systems for hundreds of indoor and outdoor events. While the tools I utilize are often very similar, the approach I have towards each situation can vary significantly. Let’s take a look at what goes into the logistics behind each and what you can do to improve your audio quality in each situation. This article will deal with preparing for an outdoor show and how to decide what speakers to use.