[Dixielandjazz] Even more on sound systems (mercifully short)

[Edgerton, Paul A]

Tom Wiggins:
"They are convinced they will have feedback with the speakers behind
(horrors of all horrors!) the mikes.  Secret, keep the levels low!"

Kurt Bowermaster:
"I almost always place the speakers behind the band for the same reason you
do.  It eliminates the need for monitors and allows the band to hear the
sound the audience hears.  Just adjust the trim levels on each channel and
EQ to eliminate feedback and you are ok."

These guys, along with Steve Barbone prefer to use a PA without monitors,
placing the speakers behind the band if needed. That is certainly a workable
solution and I've done this myself when conditions warrant. But there are
plenty of rooms where this doesn't work. 

For example the typical hall one might find at an Elks Lodge: There's a
small stage with a low ceiling opening out to a much larger room, perhaps 2
to 3 times deeper than wide. In a room like this, the PA on stage will seem
MUCH louder to the band than it does to the audience. While that might be a
good thing for a bunch of deaf musicians and a crowd that would really
rather converse, everybody concerned will be happier if the speakers are
placed far out to the sides and some distance in front of the band. These
can then be run at a lower level and the band can play at a comfortable
volume while still hearing each other clearly.

In a case like this, the folks sitting (or dancing) front and center hear
mainly the band itself. The people well out to the sides primarily hear the
speakers, while those in the cheap seats get a blend stage and speaker but
will perceive the sound as coming mostly from the stage.

If any of the musicians (probably the ones upstage) still can't hear, put a
couple more small speakers (e.g. monitors) back there and feed them the main
house mix at a fairly low level. Presto! Everybody can hear again, and still
won't have to blow too loud just to hear themselves.

This setup really works, but obviously you can't set the mic levels from the
stage. You should walk around the house and see what the room is doing to
the sound. Do that while the band plays at a medium volume, and then LEAVE
IT ALONE!

-- Paul Edgerton
Who sees himself as the Dr. Ruth of sound -- but then, doesn't everybody?