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