<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><BODY BGCOLOR="#ffffff"><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">In a message dated 1/23/03 9:47:18 AM Pacific Standard Time, paul.edgerton@eds.com writes:<BR>
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<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">The antidote to all of this is exemplified by the Jim Cullum band. Every<BR>
time I have heard them, they've been unamplified. Yes, there may be a PA<BR>
system, but that's not what sets the volume on the stage -- the musicians<BR>
themselves do. <BR>
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Somehow, they manage to balance horns with unamplified acoustic instruments.<BR>
The trumpet dominates the ensemble sound, as it should. Every instrument can<BR>
be heard in its proper acoustic perspective. When a softer instrument gets a<BR>
solo, the others just PLAY SOFTER.<BR>
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As a sound system designer and operator, the best compliment I get from the audience is "Oh, I didn't know there was a sound system". That is the way it should be - but given budgets, physical and pther constraints, it is not always easy. Over the years the term "PA" (Public address) has given way to the term SOUND REINFORCEMENT. The purpose of the equipment is to re-inforce the accoustic sound made by the source - i.e. talkers or musicians. If done properly, the audience is unaware of a sound system. That is the way it should be.<BR>
Gordon of Northridge</FONT></HTML>