Written by Norris Wooten on 18 July 2011
Feedback is technically known as audio oscillation. In simple terms, it is nothing more than sound coming out of the speakers, going back into the microphones and reamplified in rapid oscillating cycles, creating a shrill whine or squeal.
The object of a system is to achieve satisfactory, high fidelity amplification of sound before feedback occurs. Under some circumstances, limited by acoustics and poor equipment, this can be a real challenge.
There is no complete cure for feedback. If the volume of any mic is boosted loud enough, it will eventually cause feedback. However, these are ways that it can be reduced and controlled:
1. Turn the volume down.
2. Decrease gain on equalizer (EQ) or tone controls.
3. Reduce monitor system volume or its EQ gain.
4. Move microphones farther away from sound path of speakers.
5. Use a wide band graphic equalizer and/or parametric equalizer to reduce gain on susceptible feedback frequencies. (Note: When using EQ to filter out feedback, a sacrifice in desired tone quality may result. But if used carefully, an acceptable compromise of less tone for more feedback control can usually be achieved.)
6. Use higher quality, low impedance microphones and equipment.
7. Select tighter patterned, cardioid microphones when possible.
8. Decrease gain on reverb controls.
9. Improve room acoustics to absorb more reflected sounds.
10. Have an audio engineer to perform an acoustic analysis between your system and auditorium using a pink noise generator and oscilloscope. By this method, he can identify feedback prone frequencies and help you tune your graphic equalizer or suggest acoustic alterations to your venue.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Written by Norris Wooten on 01 June 2011
Original article written by Chris Huff of Behind the Mixer
Here are four ways any band can work towards moving up to the next level
1. Listen closely to professional recordings of the song and take detailed notes.
What instruments are used? When are they used? How are they used? What changes in the vocals from one verse to the next? By examining a song, you’ll have the start of a plan for arranging your version of the song.
2. Review your choice of instruments.
Yes, you may have a kick drum but what if a song only incorporated the cymbols? Two guitars playing rhythm might sound nice at first, but you can add color and depth when one of those guitars plays in a different octave and / or different chord voicings. Maybe it’s time to add a bass player. Does the drummer have a djembe they could play?
3. Don’t play all instruments all the time.
Any band can easily fall into this trap. Usually, the song starts with a good opening arrangement but by the time it’s the second verse, everyone’s playing. Instruments can drop out for a passage. Guitarists can play at half-speed for a passage. And for something totally off the wall – if you have strong vocalist, don’t play an instruments at all for a passage!
4. Talk with the sound guy.
For instance, you’ve got a new song arrangement that you think is great — play it and ask the sound guy what he or she thinks. Working on a sound team requires knowledge of both science and the art of music. You might find out that you need to add space in your mix because of too many instruments crowded around the same frequencies. You might find out that your killer bass riff idea is being covered up by the drum arrangement. The sound guy isn’t passing judgment on your arrangement; they are helping you with your arrangement.
Posted in Tips and Advice | No Comments »
Written by Norris Wooten on 22 April 2011
Original article written by Chris Huff of Behind the Mixer
Product Review – Shure SM58 Vocal Microphone
The Shure SM58 Microphone is a sturdy, well-made, and might I add excellent, dynamic microphone. We’ve used the SM58 for years as both a vocal microphone as well as an instrumental mic (in instances where it’s preferred over a condenser). The SM58 has held up wonderfully and given the quality of sound that we desired.
The Shure SM58 microphone is a unidirectional (cardioid) dynamic vocal microphone. It’s great as both a singing microphone as well as a speaking microphone. It uses a built-in spherical filter that minimizes wind and breath “pop” noise. A cardioid pickup pattern isolates the main sound source while minimizing unwanted background noise.
The steel mesh head construction means it will survive the occasional drop – which does happen.
The SM58 accentuates the warmth and clarity (brightened midrange and bass rolloff) of lead and back-up vocals which has made it the first choice of performers everywhere.
Internally, it has a pneumatic shock-mount system which cuts down on handling noise.
The Shure SM58 Mic is a workhorse of a microphone that performs great time after time. Used by professionals for years, it’s proven itself an amazing microphone.
RENT THE SHURE SM58 MICROPHONE TODAY
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Written by Norris Wooten on 31 March 2011
Shout out to Chris Huff over at Behind the Mixer for writing an excellent post, “Taking Control of Your Music: Musician’s Guide to Sound Checking.”
Below are 4 easy steps to get the most out of your sound check.
Line check.
Sound tech verifies that all of the equipment on the stage is sending a signal to the mixer. They will verify each instrument/vocal one at a time. This process requires all members on the stage to be quiet when it’s not your turn.
Setting your volume.
Technically speaking, the sound tech sets what is called the gain structure of each instrument/voice. The sound tech can do this either one by one or while your band is playing. Ask your sound tech which method he wants you to use. Once this process is complete, they will have a rough volume setting for you but it’s not totally indicative of the final mix so don’t think too much as to how it sounds in the house mix.
Setting monitor volumes.
In the case of spot monitors / floor monitors, the sound tech will work with each person one at a time. Point to the musician you need in your monitor and then give the sound guy the up/down/ok signal.
The last step is simple – just play.
At this point, you should at least play one or two songs that are to be played during the event. During this time, the sound tech will tweak your sounds as necessary through the use of EQ and other effects. This is a crucial time for them to get your sound right.
You might see your sound tech walking randomly around the room at some point. Don’t think they have finally cracked. They are checking how the mix sounds in different parts of the room. The dynamics of the room play a part in how they mix the music. They might also have to turn down your overall monitor volume if it’s negatively affecting the sound in the house. If they do this and you can’t hear a particular sound any more, talk with them about the issue and see what can be done to rectify the situation.
One final note on the sound check process, when you play songs for the sound tech to set a good mix, play songs you know well and don’t stop and start. It’s not the time to start discussing arrangement changes with the band. Save that for later during practice if you have to do it at all.
RECAP:
Step 1: Line check to verify signals being sent to mixer
Step 2: Play so your volume can be set
Step 3: Set those monitors
Step 4: Play so the sound tech can mix.
Ask for a written outline.
Finally, your sound guy might have a slightly different process for your sound check. Follow his direction and also have him/her give you a written outline of their sound check process so you can share it with the rest of the band.
Original article written by Chris Huff of Behind the Mixer
Posted in Sound Engineering, Tips and Advice | No Comments »
Written by Norris Wooten on 09 March 2011
We Have the Right Team
CSA has over 20 years of professional AV systems technology experience and a team of service-oriented sound technicians who are professionally trained to deliver high quality sound.
We Have the Right Equipment
Achieving clear sound is a science that requires quality sound equipment. CSA has an extensive inventory of professional sound equipment.
We Have the Right Sound
Clear Sound Atlanta was founded with a vision to help its clients achieve the right sound for their particular event.
We Offer Competitive Pricing
As CSA continues to grow, we strive to offer competitive pricing. Let us know if you are quoted a high quality sound system at a price lower than ours.
To Save Time
Maybe you have your own equipment and are familiar with sound reinforcement, but you don’t have the time or inclination to run sound for your event.
For Ease and Freedom
You don’t have to worry about overseeing a sound engineer or monitoring your own equipment. You pay for the project and we’ll take care of the rest!
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Written by Norris Wooten on 17 February 2011
Chris Huff of Behind the Mixer wrote an excellent post about the Super Bowl Half-Time Debacle:
We totally agree with Chris. We cringed as we watched the half time show — missed cues, lack of vocal compression on a singer, and a television audio mix that had the depth of a bad IEM mix… so what happened?
We don’t know what went wrong and we’re not going to be quick to judge. However, there are a few lessons that can be learned:
- You never know what could happen, the quality of audio production can tank for a variety of reasons. If everything turns south always have a back up plan.
- Someone could easily change a setting on the recording device, it’s important to know the equipment well enough to quickly identify and fix it.
- Things come up, it’s important to have a fill in engineer available just in case you fall ill or have a family emergency.
- In the case of submixes…imagine if the drummer’s small stage mixer was sending a terrible mix during the first set of the service. Know what to do to fix it!
- Imagine if your digital mixer had the settings reset (and you lost the saved setting). Could you rebuilt the mix from scratch during the first song? What would you prioritize?
Better to learn from someone else’s mistake … it all goes back to the Boy Scout motto…always be prepared.
Original article written by Chris Huff of Behind the Mixer
Posted in Just for Fun, Sound Engineering, Tips and Advice | No Comments »
Written by Norris Wooten on 08 February 2011
Live sound engineers make sure that the instruments and vocals at concerts blend together. The engineer is responsible for getting every subtle tweak of voice and instrument into your ears in a balanced way.
All instruments and voices aren’t created equal. For instance, some instruments are louder than others while the acoustic signature of some instruments can get lost. A live sound engineer’s job is to wrestle with these factors and coax the correct overall sound out of any situation. The fact is, the band can have a great night but the audience may never know it if the live audio engineer isn’t doing their job properly. In many ways, the live sound engineer is as important to a live band performance as any member on stage.
Good live sound engineering and concert sound engineering requires more than plugging in some amplifiers and turning a few volume knobs. It demands knowledge of acoustics and electronics combined with the collaborative skill of an artist to work with a band or producer to give them the sound they want. Every venue is different — from the cozy bar to a medium-sized concert hall to an outdoor arena — and each brings its own challenges to audio engineering. But it’s the live sound engineer’s job to tame acoustics and bring the musicians’ efforts home to the audience.
CSA sound engineers are available to set up and operate rental equipment during events. All CSA engineers are professionally trained and understand the intricacies of sound reinforcement as well the practicalities of creating a good mix in any space.
Learn more about Clear Sound Atlanta’s Sound Engineering Services.
Original article written by Tim Crosby of How Stuff Works
Posted in Sound Engineering, Tips and Advice | 2 Comments »
Written by Norris Wooten on 02 February 2011
Absolutely! We can help you over the phone, in person, or via email. Call us at 404.437.4307 for the fastest answers to your questions. If you prefer, complete the web inquiry form and we’ll follow up with you within 24 hours.
Of course! Clear Sound Atlanta’s professional technicians will show up at your event, setup, and operate the equipment.
Clear Sound Atlanta’s equipment specialists will ask a few simple questions, like the size of your audience and what type of event you are planning, and make equipment recommendations.
CSA takes every precaution to prevent field failure, but unfortunately things do happen. We perform routine tests to ensure the reliability of our equipment; however, if the equipment does malfunction, our first priority is always to quickly solve the problem.
We are constantly expanding our inventory and not all of our inventory is listed on the web site so give us a call. If we don’t immediately have something you need, we can often arrange to get what you need through other rental contacts we have.
CSA would be happy to talk to you about your repeat rental needs. Clear Sound Atlanta offers tiered discounts based on rental volume and frequency.
Posted in Audio Equipment, Sound Engineering, Tips and Advice | No Comments »
Written by Norris Wooten on 04 January 2011
2010 was one AMAZING year for us. Plain and simple, it’s going down in the books as the start of some amazing things. We wanted to take a few moments to say a heartfelt thank you to each and every client and partner that supported us in 2010.
Our biggest news this past year was launching our new website. We have so much to be grateful for. Our client list continues to grow and we have had the privilege of providing sound reinforcement from some seriously talented people!
We look forward to what’s to come in 2011!
Happy New Year!
Posted in Company News, Just for Fun, Our Clients | No Comments »
Written by Norris Wooten on 16 December 2010
So you know you need sound equipment for your upcoming event, but you’re not quite sure what to do next …
The most obvious advice is to consult with a reliable sound reinforcement company; however, there are other important considerations that you must not overlook. Keep in mind that the success of your event can be easily compromised if you neglecting the important aspects of choosing a rental company. Below are three common mistakes people make when renting sound equipment.
Going for the lowest bidder
The worst thing you can do is sign an agreement because you are quoted an offer you just can’t resist. While it is important to save money and seek out competitive pricing, you should never compromise quality. If you do not rent good quality sound equipment, you put yourself at risk for a disastrous event.
Tip: The best way to avoid this mistake is to look at the big picture, not just price. Carefully consider the reliability of the company, the experience of its technicians and the quality of their equipment before you sign an agreement.
Not setting a budget
It’s important to set a realistic budget. Without a budget you may end up with equipment you don’t need or you may find that you have to cut corners to work within a budget that won’t afford you the basic necessities to ensure the proper sound for your event.
Tip: To avoid budget issues, prepare a realistic budget and make sure you are do your homework so that you have a good sense of competitive marketing pricing.
Failing to choose the right audio visual rentals company
Give yourself sufficient time to choose the right sound company for your event. If you don’t spend an adequate amount of time seeking out the right company, you’re asking for trouble.
Tip:Before you sign an agreement, ask for references or testimonials and make sure that once you make a decision you sign an agreement to document the terms. Be sure to read the agreement and the pricing carefully before you sign anything.
About Clear Sound Atlanta
If you’re looking for a sound rental company in Atlanta, consider Clear Sound Atlanta. CSA has an extensive inventory of sound equipment and a team of service-oriented sound technicians who are professionally trained to deliver high quality sound.
Clear Sound Atlanta was founded with a vision to help its clients achieve the right sound for their particular event. As CSA continues to grow, we strive to offer competitive pricing, but most importantly, we strive to achieve customer satisfaction. Call 404.437.4301 today for a quote or visit us online at www.clearsoundatlanta.com
Tags: pa system atlanta, sound company atlanta
Posted in Tips and Advice | No Comments »
