Live Sound Training

Live Sound Training

Essential Question:“How do we get the

entire audience to hear exactly what we want

them to hear?”

Live Sound Training

1. Sound Basics/ Components/ Goals2. Sound Set-up/ Power up/ Tear down3. Microphones/ Channels/ Mixer

Sections4. House Speakers vs. Monitor

Speakers5. Troubleshooting/ Upkeep/ Q and A

Sound Basics/ Components/ Goals• Why? Amplification and enrichment

of Live Sound, to obtain a Natural and Blended sound

• What? Mixer, Amp, Speakers, Mics, Cables, Miscellaneous audio devices

• How? Pay attention, Listen closely, and make adjustments accordingly

WHY?• To be heard in a large space where

the natural voice is inadequate• Amplify- to make louder• Amplifier

• Enrichment- to make better??????• Effects processors• EQ’s

WHAT?- the equipment• Mixer- Organize and adjust sound

qualities on one or many input devices.

• Amp.- already seen

• Microphones- open air input devices.WHAT?- the equipment

CondenserStudio Mic

CondenserBoundary Mic

CondenserHanging Mic

Lavaliere/Lapel/ Body Mic

Handheld Mic

• Speakers- output-listening devices.WHAT?- the equipment

• Cables- interface (connect) equipment together.

WHAT?- the equipment

XLR

Sound Snake

RCA

¼ Inch

• Audio Input Devices- sound producing devices.

WHAT?- the equipment

Vinyl Record

Reel to Reel Tape

8-Track Tape

Cassette Tape

CD

Ipod/ MP3

Game System

Keyboard/ MIDI

Turntable

Guitar

Mic

HOW?• Pay Attention, Listen, and make the

necessary adjustments.• Volume (ON / OFF)• EQ• Feedback• Effects• Pan• Gain• Etc.

Sound Basics/ Components/ Goals• Why? Amplification and enrichment of

Live Sound, to obtain a Natural and Blended sound

• What? Mixer, Amp, Speakers, Mics, Cables, Miscellaneous audio input devices

• How? Pay attention, Listen closely, and make adjustments accordingly

Review

Session Two:• Sound set-up/ Power-up/ Tear Down (Strike)

Set-up!• *Make all connections before adding

power• Mics/ inputs• Amp• Speakers• Power cable

• Plug in all components to outlets• Power up• Turn on the amp(s) last

• Set all levels

Tear Down (Strike)!In Reverse Order:

• Power down all equipment• Turn off Amp(s) first

• Unplug all components from outlets• Disconnect all components• Mics/ inputs• Speakers• Amps• Etc.

• Put everything away correctly• Wrap all cables loosely

Set-up/ Strike• Make all connections before adding

power.• Turn on the amps last.• Strike in reverse order.• Turn off the amps first.• Put everything away neatly and correctly.• Wrap all cables loosely.

Review

Session Three:• Microphones/ Channels/

Sections of the Mixer

Microphones:

Pick-up Patterns:• Uni-Directional (Cardioid)- Picks up sound

from one direction

• Bi-Directional- Picks up from two directions

• Omni-Directional-Picks up in all directions

Channels:• Input Section (Mic or Line)• Gain• EQ• Hi• Mid• Lo

• FX• Pan• Level (volume)• Monitor????• Etc.

Sections of the Mixer:• Channels- organization and mixing of the input

devices.• Master- Control for the whole mixer.

• Outputs- Interface out to the speakers/ monitors/ amps/ etc..

Session Four:• House Speakers vs.

Monitor Speakers

House Speakers:• For the Audience (MAINS)• Larger the audience, larger the

size and number of speakers.

Monitor Speakers:• For the Performers• Monitors/Aux/FX/Subs• Preference/ $$$• Floor Monitors• Personal stand monitors• P.E.M.s – Personal Ear

Monitors

Very Basic-Small Venue

Wedding ReceptionSound Table

JCHS sound boothDuring play

DJTable

Small ConcertVenue

Larger OutdoorConcert Venue

Extremely LargeOutdoor Venue

Stadium SoundSetup

Session Five:• Troubleshooting/

Upkeep/ Q&A

Troubleshooting:• Locating the source of an

equipment problem• Start with the simple

things:• Is it plugged in?• Is the power on?• Mute switches on?• Is it all connected properly?• Is there a short in the cable?

Continuity• Is my equipment broken?

Up Keep:• Store in a dry, dust-free

environment• Keep covered, or in

storage cases• Wrap all cables loosely,

yet neatly