stan123 Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 hi folks, I have a gig on saturday at short notice (one voice with backing tracks / vocal jazz nothing "banging") . I will be performing outside, in a hotel garden to around 200 people. It is for charity, there is no budget to hire, so im going to try and make use of kit I can get my hands on. I have aquired, 2 x column speakers (each with 2x15´,horn and tweeters) a 2000w power amp and a yamaha (unpowered) desk. These are ok, but as the are so tall/heavey will be sat on the floor, The horns and tweeters are directly in the faces of punters sat at table direlcly in front? I also have have got hold of 2 x active 100w speakers, which initally I was going to use on their own, but found they were not enough. I was wondering if I could somehow use all of them, in some form, and if so how would be the best way to link it all together? As far as I can work out, the column speakers have two speakon inputs (not sure as there are no markings) the desk has two jack outputs (yamaha mg82cx) and the little actives have jack input and jack aux out. I wouldn´t normally complicate my life! but having seen the venue and the fact it is in the open air...I might need al the help I can get? thanks for any advice offered.. ps (the column speakers are "cheapos" think the are pyle pro? (never heard of them myself...but hey! he´s letting me use them as it´s for "chaaridy") Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart91 Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 You will get best results if you can get the high frequency horn of the speakers above the head height of the audience. If you sit them on the stage, chances are most of the higher frequencies will get absorbed by the first few rows of people, and you will lack any sort of clarity further back. Of course, it'll sound fine in an empty room, and then die when the audience appear. Sitting the speakers on top of (sturdy) tables or even beer crates will help. The other option is the fold up platforms that DIY stores sell, if you can get two the correct height. Some black fabric can help disguise your bodgery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldradiohand Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 If the mix point is outside make sure your electrics are safe - ensure the rain can't get at the mixer and amps and keep your dis boards off the ground. Make sure there's a continuous length of mains cable to the mix point or any joins use waterproof connectors. Always feed mains outside via a RCD! Will the artist need foldback? If you're using an active monitor on stage the same electrical rules apply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stan123 Posted June 11, 2012 Author Share Posted June 11, 2012 Many thanks for the kind replies.... unfortunatley, this is the first chance I´ve had to get online since I posted...and my sound was terrible!! As I mentioned, the gig was outside..and although not in an olympic sized arena! the sound just disappered! I was pushing it all night....I used a HK audio set up at a similar type of gig on Saturday...and my god what clarity (although I think it was only 2-3K setup....gunna have a look at similar systems and get myself one...gunna have a scan through the board now and see if there is any info on the HK gear..... Many thanks again.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldradiohand Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Having really good kit doesn't guarantee good sound - try volunteering at a local theatre or venue with an established sound operator/crew and see if they'll show you some of the techniques of mic placement and sound balance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stan123 Posted June 12, 2012 Author Share Posted June 12, 2012 Thanks again for the reply! I know what you mean oldradiohand, trouble is at my age!! What I did learn from the guy on the saturday night was...while I had everything "pushed to the top" the night before, he was running at 50% (so he told me) and the sound really was chrystal clear....my god, it´s a long time since I sang with such clean, crisp sound...warm, round.........running out of words! But like you say, 90% of it was , probably, that he knew what he was doing..... Many thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldradiohand Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 Horlicks! I'm well over the hill but I've never stopped learning. Started volunteering at my local community theatre a couple of years ago after I was made redundant. I know a lot about sound but not necessarily how it works in theatre so there was a steep initial learning curve. Next thing to learn is the lighting desk..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireball40k Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 Horlicks! I'm well over the hill but I've never stopped learning. Started volunteering at my local community theatre a couple of years ago after I was made redundant. I know a lot about sound but not necessarily how it works in theatre so there was a steep initial learning curve. Next thing to learn is the lighting desk..... Be glad to show you any time you're ready Gerry! In return you can teach me about sound. Deal? Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stan123 Posted June 14, 2012 Author Share Posted June 14, 2012 Thanks oldradiohand!!! hahaha http://www.blue-room.org.uk/public/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif Ive always been one of those people that, what I hear, and what it actually sounds like...are two very different things!! I remember once in a theatre, someone said ·"if he goes near the desk...shoot him"!! I do try!! Thanks again for the advice... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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