Back in the olden days, when high-quality audio equipment wasn’t nearly as readily available as it is today, gain structure could make or break the sound quality of a show. Good gain structure was necessary to ensure that the audio signal voltage did not reach the console voltage rails and clip, while at the same time keeping it as high as possible above the noise floor, maximising the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and keeping it clean and free from distortion. Now that you can buy an off-the-shelf audio console on the high street with better than 100dB SNR, minimal THD+n and full-bandwidth frequency response, gain structure may not seem to be so important, but it can still ruin your day. (more…)
Tag: Monitors
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Working with Monitor Wedges
Mixing monitors can be hugely rewarding, and working with a stage full of monitor wedges is really fun! However, if you are not in complete control at all times, it can very quickly become a nightmare.
I put forward my own procedure and techniques for mixing wedges, although as with all types of mixing, it is hugely subjective and down to personal opinion. Everyone who reads this article will develop or will already have their own unique method that works for them, and as long as you can operate efficiently, retain control and keep the band happy, no one can say that one technique is better than another. (more…)
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How to Write a Band Technical Specification
As a sound technician, I have come across countless channel lists, stage plots and technical riders, some of them excellent and some of them good only for scrap paper. As a band engineer, I’ve also written plenty. I have a good idea of what information is necessary in order to convey a band’s technical requirements with a minimum of fuss and maximum clarity. (more…)