Live Sound Equipment & Reinforcement System: Here’s how to select the individual component of your PA system
Introduction
Whether you’re a venue manager or a professional band, high-end live audio setup is the key to a great performance. The right live sound equipment is what wows the audience.
While picking out live sound equipment, its important to focus on your needs. Some setups may require PA speakers and stage subwoofers. Some others may prefer to use passive speakers with live power amplifiers. If you’re new to the live sound game, you may consider live sound packages (pre-assembled kits); not only are they cost-effective, its easy to use as well, just plug it all in and you can expect great results as is.
What Does it Comprise of?
When you are talking about equipment for your live shows, you would need everything from wired mics to wireless systems, mixer, power amplifiers, speakers, and more, depending on the size of the show.
So basically we are talking about having the following:
Here’s how to choose the individual components
Mixers
Available as Powered, Analog and Digital.
Mics
There are so many types available, and you need to select the appropriate one to fit your needs. Depending on the situation, you may not need all of them (especially the wireless one).
PA Speakers
PA speakers can be active (powered) or passive (without built-in amplification).
In case you already have amps, then you may not need the active ones. Besides, you also need to consider if you need a sub-woofer for your setup.
Monitor System
You’ll need one if you have live musicians, who’ll need to hear themselves.
Some of the options include powered or un-powered solutions, smaller stage fills, in-ear monitoring systems (wired or wireless).
Power Amplification
This is important to throw in the punch to your sound.
You can choose from a powered or unpowered solutions. In case you have to match an amplifier to your PA speakers, its best to get an amplifier with twice the speaker’s power rating. This gives you more headroom to get clean and undistorted sound.
Signal Processing
You need an effects processor to improve the overall sound quality of the live performance. You will need effects such as:
The good thing is that these are also available nowadays as all-in-one products, making them easy to integrate in the setup, and also makes them quite portable.
Cables for Your Setup
Aim for good & solid cables, and proper cable management for your setup. You’ll need the following:
Keep it Organised with Racks
Use well constructed and well-built racks and cases to keep your gear organized and safe. If you’re buying a new rack, choose one that is expandable (will need in the future) and allows you to grow.
Sound Reinforcement: Understanding Various Systems & Techniques
Sound Reinforcement system & techniques used by pros to get better and louder sounds, can be used for live or pre-recorded sounds.
So do you think the engineers involved in live shows just amplifying the sounds, and do not use any techniques or systems to get a louder sound?
It all depends on the size of the audience. For smaller settings you can use your normal amplifier or just run the sound through the PA.
But if the audience is going to be huge and you want the sound to travel a longer distance, you need to give some thought on how you’re going to achieve it.
What Does it Include?
Usually, a sound reinforcement system is the combination of the following:
These can be used with live or pre-recorded sounds and can be used for musical performance and even for public address.
Is It Very Complex?
It doesn’t have to be, though for bigger events it can easily get very complex.
A simple sound reinforcement system may include just a public address (PA) system, consisting of a single microphone connected to a loudspeaker.
However, for a big concert you may need a complex system consisting of:
In all the cases, the purpose of a Sound Reinforcement is the same, and that is to make the sound louder and distribute it to a wider audience.
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
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