Jorn is spot on with his analysis. Every live sound show I've worked (8 years+) has had all the amplifiers on maximum. Even those without DSP. You choose what you want the SPL at the desk via the master faders, and balance accordingly to that SPL. Mixing 'backwards' (Jorn's last point) is EXACTLY the way to achieve a dynamic, well balanced and equipment-safe show. Mixing forwards often leads to destroyed speakers, amplifiers and clipped channels.
If we're not talking about rock, metal, pop, electronic or dance music - then perhaps maximum isn't the way to go. (*this includes main UK and European festivals as well as touring for 2,000+ cap shows). Andrew J. Horsburgh, Researcher [email protected] Ambisonic & Spatial Audio Research Group University of the West of Scotland, www.uws.ac.uk ________________________________________ From: [email protected] [[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jörn Nettingsmeier [[email protected]] Sent: 14 October 2012 00:09 To: Surround Sound discussion group Subject: Re: [Sursound] Auro 3D On 10/13/2012 06:43 PM, David Pickett wrote: > At 05:51 13/10/2012, Dave Hunt wrote: > >> I have long been dubious of the common practice of turning all PA >> amplifiers up to full and doing all level adjustments prior to that, >> often at the mixer. This increases the gain of system noise, hums >> etc. It can also mean that the mixer is working at a fairly low >> level, bad enough with analogue mixers but worse with digital ones as >> the final D/A conversion then throws away the highest bits. > > Why would anyone do that? The only sensible thing is to operate the > console at its optimum level and then provide whatever amplification is > necessary to turn that into sound at the desired level. a somewhat convoluted line of reasoning, if i may, rooted deeply in years of sound grunt work experience: 1. p.a. is expensive. 2. very rarely is there more amplification than strictly necessary 3. therefore, you will almost always use the power amps at close to max. 4. rocknroll is _very_ dynamic 5. headroom is actually used. 6. for safety reasons, always mix away from your limbs and torso (aka "the only way is up"). 7. mosh pit crowds are nice to look at, but often not so nice to be in, let alone to wade through in a hurry. 8. depending on the concert, the distance from f.o.h. to the ampracks can easily be 30-100m. 9. you don't necessarily want to be wading through 30-100m of mosh pit in order to bring the amp gains up to be able to deal with the upcoming grand finale of the tune. 10. even if you are, you will very likely be late :) 10. therefore, amp gains are all the way up, right from the start. because they would be anyway, by the end of the concert. -- Jörn Nettingsmeier Lortzingstr. 11, 45128 Essen, Tel. +49 177 7937487 Meister für Veranstaltungstechnik (Bühne/Studio) Tonmeister VDT http://stackingdwarves.net _______________________________________________ Sursound mailing list [email protected] https://mail.music.vt.edu/mailman/listinfo/sursound Please consider the environment and think before you print *************************************************************************************************************** University of the West of Scotland aims to have a transformational influence on the economic, social and cultural development of the West of Scotland and beyond by providing relevant, high quality, inclusive higher education and innovative and useful research. Visit www.uws.ac.uk for more details University of the West of Scotland is a registered Scottish charity. Charity number SC002520. *************************************************************************************************************** Legal disclaimer -------------------------- The information transmitted is the property of the University of the West of Scotland and is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Statements and opinions expressed in this e-mail may not represent those of the company. Any review, retransmission, dissemination and other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the material from any computer. -------------------------- _______________________________________________ Sursound mailing list [email protected] https://mail.music.vt.edu/mailman/listinfo/sursound
