live sound tips

[patlang12]

I am recording my friend's band right now. They just asked me to do their sound at their shows for them. I don't really know much at all about live sound, so I was wondering if anybody could give me some tips or links that have some good information. I tried to do a search on this website, but it was not responding. I have also tried google, but I havn't really find anything that is very helpful. Thanks a lot!

[patlang12]

Anybody at all?

[pdadda]

If you haven't done it before, try to keep it as simple as possible. Unless the place is rather large, only run vocals through the PA (and maybe bass). It's really hard to avoid feedback when you're starting out. And there's nothing worse than going to see a band and hearing the speakers screech.

[boingoman]

This place has some good info, but not the real basics. Click on study hall, then look at the chalkboard.

http://www.prosoundweb.com/

This one is for newbies, and has some really good info.

http://members.cox.net/pasystem1/


I'd go the book route. Usually much easier to learn from than websites, for me anyway. Also easier to bring to a gig.

Live Sound for Musicians by Rudy Trubitt is a good place to start. Lays out the basics in a clear, clean way.

After that they get more detailed (and expensive). These are all geek books, with the Davis being the geekiest. The Yamaha was pretty much a must-have of you wanted to get into the details. It is a bit dated, though.

Top three (as I see it)

Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook

Sound System Engineering- Don and Carolyn Davis

JBL Audio Engineering for Sound Reinforcement- John Eargle, Chris Foreman

[patlang12]

Ok thanks a lot guys. I think I will go the book route and get something although I agree with not running much but vocals through the PA. They may be playing some bigger fairs, but I think the main part of it will be at a little restoraunt that is going to have them play weekly. At the bigger fairs there will probably be a sound guy there anyway, but I might be able to learn from him. I will go check out those websites. Anymore help would be great too.

[Smoulders]

[QUOTE=boingoman]This place has some good info, but not the real basics. Click on study hall, then look at the chalkboard.

http://www.prosoundweb.com/

This one is for newbies, and has some really good info.

http://members.cox.net/pasystem1/


Wow, that second link really is good. I dont know too much about live sound and found that very useful. It's not often that you'l find a site that doesnt assume you know loads already and takes you right from the beginning.

Nice one.

To the guy who originally posted the question, definately check this site out.

[mshilarious]

Originally Posted by patlang12

Ok thanks a lot guys. I think I will go the book route and get something although I agree with not running much but vocals through the PA. They may be playing some bigger fairs, but I think the main part of it will be at a little restoraunt that is going to have them play weekly. At the bigger fairs there will probably be a sound guy there anyway, but I might be able to learn from him. I will go check out those websites. Anymore help would be great too.

If you are just doing vocals, keep the mains in front of the band, and keep the mic pointed away from the monitor

Shure has some good .pdfs on their website, check it out.

[Idgeit]

Originally Posted by patlang12

I think I will go the book route.

Thats the best way to go, I learned so much from this forum, but nothing is as good as a good ol'book.

I was doing a pretty small venue a while back, I had no mics on the drums. Just the 2 vocals, 2 guitars and bass. Turned out pretty damn well in the end. As they say, Just keep it simple =)

- Idgeit

[franksquid]

I'm a little late on this topic but I'll add my $0.02 anyway


Get a mic, monitor, amp and a 31 band EQ and set it up in your house and just play around with it. An EQ is set up like a piano and you need to know where to go to shape your sound and elimate feedback.

FYI, they used to call me FrankieFeedback in the early '80s. So dont get discouraged!

[patlang12]

Ok thanks for the tip.