More Pa advice (sorry!)

[cluttercrutch]

After soakng up alot of very helpful and constructive advice from you guys, a year or so ago - I need to upgrade again.

 

I ended up buying a couple of Db opera 405´s and a couple of subs to match. After a nighmare of gig (in a typical spanish square in the open air) and as these type of gigs became more regular, I realised that I was aways pushing for volume and losing carity/quality. I will say that, for gigs where significant volume is required, over 500 punters for example (usually for larger variety/production shows) the PA is always hired.

 

I only ever need the PA for use as a solo, self contained vocalist with playback in venues which are usually hotel banqueting suites etc up to 400/500 punters. I will never do an outdoor gig again,not without an engineer with his gear!

 

The tracks are recorded by the Jazz combo I use (drums, double bass, guitar & piano/keys) and I have never really been happy since I got rid of my HK elias system 5 years ago (which seemed to perfectly reproduce the sound of the live band from the MD, with a really warm sound of the double bass. My keyboard player seems to think that to go to the expense of the HK system again for "karaoke gigs" as he kindly refers to them, is ridiculous (they have an HK actor system) As I am an entertainer (and not a sound guy) I can only base my opinions musically and not technically. He seems to think I can get a sound close to that of the HK gear and pay alot less (as the self-contained gigs are not that regular)

 

I don´t know, still! if I have a problem with reaching a certain volume with ease and clarity or if the HK gear was really so special?

 

I don´t nee"thumping bass, high tech volume" as I only do jazz standards etc. Some of the tracks are just with piano (jazz ballads) and are sung at a low volume - and as discreet background music, over dinner for example. The problem is, the gigs usually turn into a full blown cabaret show as the 300 punters at the back spread the word to the front that they want to listen! this is when I have to increase the volume and I want to be able to do this and maintain the quality of sound.

 

So,

 

1) can I reproduce the sound I liked so much from the HK gear at a lower cost?

 

2) Is the problem I had with the db gear all in my head?

 

 

Thanks in advance for any help with this matter. My mate hinks I´m just being "snobby" about the HK sound but the truth is - I have never felt comfortable on stage since I changed from it. The Db stuff sounded great when I tried it out - but in reality I never got on with it for some reason - I thought it was maybe just me - As I said to him "why do you and all self contained artistes pressume you have a great sound, every night, in every venue? you are not a sound engineer!" I told him that 20 years ago, my sound guy always put two speakers in front of me and another two halfway down or at the other end of large rooms - nowadays I never see artistes who manage their own sound do this? Don´t get me wrong, I have seen pro engineers have a nightmares as well but usually it´s because of unforseen tech problems and not lack of knowledge.

 

 

It may be, because I have the responsibility of the sound when I´m on my own I am putting to much thought into it which is effecting my performance? and it´s nothing to do with my "preferred sound"

 

More sound "counselling" rather than "tech" advice needed!

 

Thanks

[johndenim]

I told him that 20 years ago, my sound guy always put two speakers in front of me and another two halfway down or at the other end of large rooms - nowadays I never see artistes who manage their own sound do this?

 

This is either because it's not required, they do not realise it can be done, or they can't do it!

 

It's not a case of simply putting another set of speakers halfway down the hall, a delay unit would ideally be used to ensure you don't sound like you are singing through a train station tannoy.

 

A bit of info here.