burnsy1364 Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 Evening All , I have just found out that I am to be covering sound for a while with my job, and was wondering if anyone has any information or documeants that might enable me to do make this as painless as possibly ! Cheers Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Si Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 I think you can download stuff from some of the manufacturer's websites such as Shure and Soundcraft. I know what the magazine "Sound On Sound" have some basic books which are available prob via the website at cheapish prices - 9 quid or something for a book on basic live sound. What sort of stuff are you going to get into sound wise? Mr. Si Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burnsy1364 Posted February 22, 2005 Author Share Posted February 22, 2005 Well I have just got a job in pontins (its a start ** laughs out loud **) and they have a mixing desk not had too much of a look at it and they want me to cover both sound and lighting for live shows with possibly help as well , but I will be the main technician. The most experience Ive had was working with a small sound desk for a GCSE performance so im just a little dubious to looking 4000 buttons square in the eyes, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wydsiwyrg Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 Well I have just got a job in pontins (its a start ** laughs out loud **) and they have a mixing desk not had too much of a look at it and they want me to cover both sound and lighting for live shows with possibly help as well , but I will be the main technician. The most experience Ive had was working with a small sound desk for a GCSE performance so im just a little dubious to looking 4000 buttons square in the eyes,<{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi mate :)What type of desk is it? What lighting desk do they have for you to use? Bigger desks aren't necessarily more complicated - just more channel strips :huh: Hehe!This forum would be a good place for advice - and you could find a lot of your general questions answered on the newsgroup rec.audio.pro; will you be mixing for bands, or what types of shows?Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew C Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 Unless there's LOTS of extra £ching in it for you, I'd be inclined to decline their kind offer. I really don't think you will be doing yourself, (or them for that matter) any favours by trying to do two jobs at once. Doing sound & lights at the same time can be just like rubbing your belly & patting your head at the same time. Can be done, but for how long before you loose it? If they find you can do it for a week say, will they ever replace the sound guy, or will you be doing headless chicken impressions forever? :huh: On a more positive note; if you do get an "apprentice", it could be a good learning opportunity! More details of the shows & the kit, and I'm sure we'll all be back with detailed advice, some of which might just help! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Si Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 The main thing to remember when looking at a large desk, is that each channel does the same thing, it just controls a different microphone or instrument input. Think of it as it were a simple manual fader type lighting desk. - each fader controls a different channel. on the input side of a sound desk: - You have usually got at the top (unless it's a yamaha desk) the "gain" which is the control of the input sensitivity of the channel -Then: You'll have an EQ section which will effect how the instrument/vocal will sound. (Hi, mid, low etc) -Then:You'll have an auxilliary section which is usually used for controlling the level of sound going to stage monitors and FX units (reverb, delay etc) -Then :You'll have the Pan section, which allows you to control if you want to send the sound to the left speakers, the right speakers, both/centre (default setting) or somewhere in between centre and one of the sides. -Then:You have the fader which controls the output level for that particular channel Then you have the main mix section(s) and within that you'll have the: - main output, to which all the channel outputs will be routed (these usually have to be assigned on larger desks by pushing in, the relevant button) - main auxilliary level controls (the master levels for the aux channels) That's kinda what a sound desk entails (in a very basic format). Sorry if this sounded patronising! Some questions: 1. which desk is it? (make and model)2. is it the desk that is your main concern, or is it the other stuff too? like connections between mixer, amp, speakers etc?3. or are you also worried about stuff sounding not very nice/good to the ear? Cheers Si Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burnsy1364 Posted February 22, 2005 Author Share Posted February 22, 2005 Cheers for the advice and I shall get around to finding out that information, basically I think there going to have me setting up then advising others on monitoring it during shows. The guy sounded like he was grateful of any help so I want to try and progress my knowledge and offer them something, so in the long run I can possibly get some help with qualifications and or getting taken on by bigger companies e.t.c. I'm mostly worried about both *sounding good and knowing each board but that will come when I know what board it is. Also other things like wiring, I'm not to bad with the basics but im pretty sure it gets harder!! I shall keep you posted on what is happening, my msn is burnsy1364@hotmail.com if you feel the need to help any futher any would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbsy Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 If you want a very basic book on sound, I can recommend "Audio Made Easy (or how to be a sound engineer without really tryng)" by Ira White, Hal Leonard Publishers, ISBN 0-7935-7293-2. It's kept very simple (sort of like the "Computers for Dummies" sort of book) but the info that there is accurate and well chosen. It makes not a bad primer to lead into more detailed reading or training if you're interested. Pretty sure Amazon have them. Bob Edit: Click here:http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/0793572932.01.MZZZZZZZ.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryson Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 On the subject of books and Amazon...this thread may be useful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbsy Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 Thanks for the edit/pic/link! I knew I should have done something similar...but was heading off to bed! :huh: Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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