Where to start with sound reinforcement?

[spasticteapot]

Can anyone recommend a few guides or textbooks covering the basics of sound reinforcement? I've recently come into a position where I stand to make a few dollars by being useful, but I suspect my familiarity with home-audio equipment is not entirely adequate for live sound work. It need not be anything too fancy - just the process of setting up and operating basic DJ equipment and such.

[Sydney]

Re: Where to start with sound reinforcement?

The Sound Reinforcement Handbook by Gary Davis, Gary D. Davis, Ralph Jones, Yamaha International Corporation in Books ( also online in pdf )

Sound System Design Reference Manual
http://www.jblpro.com/pub/manuals/pssdm_1.pdf
http://www.jblpro.com/pub/manuals/pssdm_2.pdf

http://www.electrovoice.com/download...icle&view=full

The Ultimate Live Sound Operator's Handbook By Bill Gibson

[Randy L]

Re: Where to start with sound reinforcement?

But isn't "DJ'ing" and proper Sound Reinforcement oxymorons? The two just don't go together!!! hehehehehe

Being a DJ myself for too many years to admit, there IS a difference in proper sound reinforcement of a live stage and a typical DJ setup. However, some SR principles are important to DJs if--and I stress IF (since most DJs either just don't care or have ZERO clue)--high quality sound is important.

Also, the type of DJ equipment you will need will be greatly impacted by the type of DJing you will do. So before you jump into the "pool" answer these questions:

-- what type of parties (gigs) will you be doing?

-- what is your best guess on the typical size of the crowd?

-- what is your budget?

-- what will you be hauling your gear in (size limitations)?

-- what will the typical event location be? Outdoors? Large halls? Backyard?

[Sydney]

Re: Where to start with sound reinforcement?

But isn't "DJ'ing" and proper Sound Reinforement oxymorons? The two just don't go together!!! hehehehehe

That is ( unfortunately ) an accurate reflection of reality...
I was just at a HS reunion and ( once again ) had to endure the result of ignorance of electronics and acoustics, from someone who has had a DJ business for almost 40 years!
Wasn't in sync with the musical tastes of the crowd either ( another common issue )

[donprice]

Re: Where to start with sound reinforcement?

....and it probably cost $100-$200/hour....a good gig if you can get it.

[spasticteapot]

Re: Where to start with sound reinforcement?

However, some SR principles are important to DJs if--and I stress IF (since most DJs either just don't care or have ZERO clue)--high quality sound is important.

The short answer: I don't know what I'm doing, and I don't know how I'm going to to it. I had a big heap of equipment, and figured I could make an honest dollar in some fashion off the local fraternities. (I also have a friend and business partner who was willing to front the cash for the equipment I didn't already own and a lot more free time than I do.)

The long answer:

Venues: Frat houses - up to 120 people, though in a fairly small location. Coffeehouses, up to 75 people. Possibly some weddings.

Budget: Tiny. For a grand total of $300 (including stuff I bought at estate sales years ago and never used), I have a pair of Electro-Voice FR15 loudspeakers, a Peavey 8-channel mixer with four mic preamps, an ancient Audio Centron amplifier rated for 800WPC into two ohms (though I suspect the ~400 into four is more sensible), and two Audio Technica cardioid microphones.

While fairly ancient, all of the equipment is name-brand. EV and Peavey don't have the cachet of JBL, but they're still miles ahead of Nady or Behringer. I figure I should start looking for a Sure SM57/SM58, as they're the industry standard for this sort of thing, but right now I'll use what I've got.

I'm also spending $10 for a custom hat from Vistaprint that says "Audio Technician." A cap with logo without clip-art can buy more professional cred than an entire rack of Rane gear. Sad, but true.

Size limitations: One first-generation Honda CR-V. The giant EV speakers fit, if only barely.

Material: I'm currently focusing on providing the equipment, as opposed to full DJ services; ideally, the customer plugs in his iPod, does a few shout-outs to the crowd, and I get paid and go home.

While $100/hour would be nice, I lack the equipment to mic a band and the skills or software to emcee an event. Furthermore, the EV speakers in question aren't really built to deal with the heavy bass requirements of dubstep. On the other hand, I'm only asking $150 for an evening, which is quite a lot less than the audio rental places on the far side of town.

Of course, if the business is good, I've got a set of plans for some CRV-portable 3-way horns that'll do 120dB down to 50hz no trouble...and at $400/evening, I can learn awful quick.

[Johnnycat]

Re: Where to start with sound reinforcement?

At the frat house.... are you just playing music for a party, with no MCing?

Coffee House...what would you be doing there...

Weddings...stay away from them until you have more experience, that is a big day that you don't want to go wrong...

[wg_ski]

Re: Where to start with sound reinforcement?

At the frat house.... are you just playing music for a party, with no MCing?..

At the frat houses, they really only want to hear the music. Loud. Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt. They are also... cheapskates.

[billfitzmaurice]

Re: Where to start with sound reinforcement?

But isn't "DJ'ing" and proper Sound Reinforcement oxymorons?

No worse than the average band. Then you multiply the lack of gear knowledge by the number of players...:(

[spasticteapot]

Re: Where to start with sound reinforcement?

I'm right now mostly focusing on the business of providing equipment and setting it up properly - ideally, the customer can then just plug in their iPod and use the microphone however they wish. Going rate for a very basic PA around here is $250 plus ~$500 security deposit, so undercutting the rate of the local rent-it-all won't be difficult. The issue I have is whether my equipment is adequate given the prevalence of bass in modern dance music, and how I might use it to greatest effect.

At the frat houses, they really only want to hear the music. Loud. Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt. They are also... cheapskates.

No kidding.

[AMC]

Re: Where to start with sound reinforcement?

No worse than the average band. Then you multiply the lack of gear knowledge by the number of players...:(

Enough said...

[AMC]

Re: Where to start with sound reinforcement?

Size limitations: One first-generation Honda CR-V. The giant EV speakers fit, if only barely.

Trying to run a sound equipment biz out of a CR-V is challenging at best, and futile at worst. Think about a ultra-lite covered trailer you could pull behind the CRV.

[Randy L]

Re: Where to start with sound reinforcement?

Echo'ing AMC's comment, the CR-V is limited in cargo room. Since you are on a STEEP budget, you probably will not invest in a trailer (if you don't already have one). Before deciding on speakers, lift up your rear seats and take some measurements to see what you actually can fit in the back. I doubt you will be able to fit a dual woofer cabinet, even laying down.
Just looking at CR-V pics, I'd say you might be able to squeeze in 4 compact full-range speakers.

[Sydney]

Re: Where to start with sound reinforcement?

Enough said...

LOL
Remember it is not uncommon for bands to erect these stacks with ersatz dummy cabs for the look of "awesomeness" and only use 1 small real amp miked-up.
Show Biz :rolleyes:

[AMC]

Re: Where to start with sound reinforcement?

LOL
Remember it is not uncommon for bands to erect these stacks with ersatz dummy cabs for the look of "awesomeness" and only use 1 small real amp miked-up.
Show Biz :rolleyes:

If you look at the pic real close, you can see that 1 cab (bottom, 3rd from the right) is miked up. When I went to a KISS show many years ago, they had a giant wall of 'speakers' behind them, that made no sounds whatsoever.