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Live Sound 101 - Event Sound System Design and Setup - B&H EXplora
Live Sound 101 - Event Sound System Design and Setup - B&H EXplora
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If you have been tasked with setting up a sound system for a 300- to 500-person
event, there are various elements, both strategic and technological, to consider.
Audio tech people have never had such a broad range of sound reinforcement
equipment and techniques at their disposal. The choices of technology and
products available can be overwhelming, so let’s talk about some of the options.
Speaker Selection
Your choice of speakers should be based on coverage requirements and the size
of the venue. There are some things to consider regarding the shape of the room
and how the speakers will interact with boundaries, such as the walls, the ceiling,
and the floor.
You want to get the best speakers your budget will allow. Start by figuring out
what you can afford and then determine what sounds best to you within that
price range. Always listen to the speakers before buying, as not all of them are
made equal. When choosing a speaker, you’ll want to consult the specification
sheet, which should be readily available from most reputable manufacturers. The Chat
most important specs to know are the frequency response, SPL output, and
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dispersion. If you are using passive speakers, then you’ll need to know the wattage
and impedance (ohms resistance).
The sound pressure level of a speaker will determine how loud a speaker is at a
given distance (typically 1 meter). Most spec sheets will show Peak and
Continuous outputs. The peak is how loud the speaker is on loud transients, while
continuous output is the average loudness. This is a good indication of how the
speaker performs, dynamically. Sound pressure levels (SPL) will attenuate by 6 dB
with the doubling of the distance. If a speaker were capable of 135 dB at 1m, then
2m would have an SPL of 129 dB. By doubling the distance to 4m, the speaker
would output 123 dB and so on. Another consideration is that doubling up on the
speakers will result in a +3 dB increase. If a speaker has a peak output of 135, by
adding another speaker the output would increase to 138 dB.
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Dispersion is the way the sound is projected horizontally and vertically from the
speaker. This is incredibly useful for determining the placement of speakers, as
you can direct the sound away from boundaries, such as walls and ceilings. For
instance, a speaker with a 60-degree horizontal dispersion might work well for a
narrow room, while adding an additional speaker could increase the dispersion to
120. The goal is to offer coverage to the entire audience, while directing the sound
off the walls. Many speakers are designed to couple by utilizing a trapezoidal
enclosure, versus a square or rectangular enclosure. The trapezoidal design
allows for easy placement of the speakers, as they can be placed together in tight-
knit group or array, which allows for coupling with reduced interference between
speakers.
The vertical dispersion will determine how high the full-range tops will need to be
to provide proper sound coverage for the audience. There are many ways to
configure a system, in terms of height and whether ground-stacking, speaker
stands, scaffolding, or trussing should be implemented as a way to get the
speaker high enough to offer extended coverage. The higher the speaker, the
farther the sound will travel. If it is too high, there will be a loss of impact in the
front. Not high enough may result in the sound being uncomfortably loud for the
front row.
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For our purposes, I suggest setting the tops at shoulder to head level, about 5 to 6
feet from the floor. If you are utilizing subwoofers, you might try ground-stacking
the tops on top of the subs. Many speakers offer pole mounts for use with
speaker stands. This is the simplest way to get proper height, especially if you
don’t have multiple subs to create a ground stack. At the very least, you want your
high-frequency driver above the heads of the people in the audience.
Ground Stack
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There are pros and cons to both active and passive speaker designs. Active
speakers are the easiest to deploy with built-in amplifiers that are matched to the
speaker components (woofers, mid-range, and tweeters—typically compression
drivers). They also feature crossovers, which isolate and route frequency ranges
to each component, and built-in limiters for protecting the drivers. A three-way
active speaker will have two or more built-in crossovers, which isolate the high,
mid, and low frequencies. The advantage of active speakers is the ease of setup
and operation. They only require a line level input and you won’t have to use
separate amplifiers to power them.
The input range of a speaker is typically given in continuous, program, and peak
wattage measurements. You will most likely see the continuous output and either
program or peak. The general rule is a doubling of the continuous results in
program, while doubling the program will give the peak performance. For
instance, let’s say we have a 4-ohm speaker that requires 600 watts of continuous
output, a program output of 1,200 watts, and a peak output of 2,400 watts.
The question that many people ask, is how much power do I need? Do I really
need a 2,400-watt amplifier to power this speaker? The answer depends on your
total required SPL output. Looking at the speaker’s specifications. We see it offers
a continuous SPL output value of 128 dB and a peak SPL output of 134 dB. Let’s
say you want an SPL output of 105 dB at 50' from the speaker. Remember every
doubling of the distance, lowers the SPL by 6 dB. The speaker’s program output
requirement is 131 dB at 1m. 16 meters or 52.8 feet would offer an SPL of 107 dB,
therefore you can safely use a 1,200W power amplifier to achieve your target. If
we doubled the program output of 1,200 watts to 2,400 watts, you would gain an
additional 3 dB. My opinion would be to purchase more power than needed to
maintain headroom. This, of course, comes down to budget, because some
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speakers may require up to 11,000 watts peak output, which would push you into
another class of amplification with a much higher price tag.
Another consideration is the impedance or ohms resistance for the speaker. You
will need to consult the amplifier specifications to determine how much power an
amplifier is able to produce at a given impedance. Most manufacturers will boast
the highest output of both channels at the lowest resistance. When matching your
amplifier to your speaker, it’s important to consider the ohms rating and wattage.
For instance, an amplifier that is rated at 4,000 watts (2,000 watts per channel) at
2 ohms will realistically deliver 1,400 watts at 4 ohms and 850 watts at 8 ohms.
Our example speaker has a 4 ohm impedance, which can easily be powered by
our 4,000-watt amplifier.
Some amplifier manufacturers will indicate power draws as 1/8 power, 1/3 power,
and full power. 1/8 power delivers the amplified signal below the built-in clip
limiters, while 1/3 power will have the clip limiters occasionally flashing. Full
power will have the limiters in constant activity. When engaging the clip limiters,
you are actually rounding off the audio signal to prevent distortion, but the signal
of the audio will be compromised. I prefer to run the amplifiers at 1/8 power,
which will give plenty of headroom without squaring off the waveforms. You may
also use a higher-rated amplifier at 1/8 power without fear of damaging your
speakers. Remember, the quickest way to blow a speaker is to underpower it.
Subwoofers also come in active and passive options with the same pros and cons.
There are many different designs that can offer outstanding results. The best
bang-for-the-buck I recommend is a Yorkville ES18P. It is a self-powered, single
18" rear-horn loaded design with a tremendous output, rivaling or surpassing
most double 18" designs.
Depending on your setup and how many subs you have, you will have more
consistent results by placing all the subs together. Placing two subs together will
yield a 3 dB gain in SPL and they will couple without interference. A stereo sub
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configuration may create null points in the room where certain frequencies cancel
each other out. Other tricks to maximize bass are to place the subs near a wall or
corner, as each of the boundaries will reinforce the sound and help load the
room. My favorite configuration is to center-cluster four subs together (2 wide x 2
tall).
Speaker Processors
Regardless of whether you are using active speakers or passive speakers with an
amplifier, you should invest in a speaker processor. In my opinion, it is the most
important piece of gear and will save you time, money, and headaches. A speaker
processor combines a number of processors into a rackmount signal processor.
You will find gain, EQ, delay, crossovers, and limiting for both input and output. A
typical processor might have a stereo input and six outputs. The inputs will
feature a 6- to 8-band parametric EQ and/or a graphic EQ, as well as a system
delay. Each output on your processor will offer gain, a 4-band parametric EQ, a
delay for time-aligning speaker components in a bi-amp or tri-amp application, or
a full-range speaker and a subwoofer.
You will also find digital crossovers featuring Bessel, Butterworth, and Linkwitz-
Riley band-pass filters. Each crossover offers a high-frequency and low-frequency
setting with selectable filter types. For tops, I typically set the HPF to 96 Hz on a 24
dB per octave Linkwitz-Riley filter and the LPF to off. For subs, I set the LPF to 96
Hz on a 24 dB per octave Link-Riley filter and the HPF to 30 Hz on a 48 dB
Butterworth filter. The major focus is the crossover between the LPF of the sub
and the HPF of the top. A 24-dB-per-octave Link-Riley filter keeps the frequency
response flat where both the subwoofer and top are crossing over.
adjusting the tops to match the inherent delay of the subs will provide a coherent
and phase-accurate wave front. If you don’t have the specs, you can invest in a
measurement system like SMAART. For those on a budget (and in possession of
an iPhone or iPad), you can purchase the AudioTools app by Studio Six Digital,
which can help you measure and calibrate your sound system.
Another aspect to consider is the use of wedge monitors or stage monitors. These
are speakers that are typically on the floor and angled up toward the performers,
offering a dedicated mix, which allows the musicians to hear themselves on stage.
Feedback can become a problem, so the use of graphic EQs will be needed to
remove the frequencies that are feeding back. Add in additional signal processors
like multi-effects, delays, and reverbs and you can see the analog setup may
sound better, but will cost more money with the additional signal processing, plus
there are additional racks, cabling, troubleshooting, and maintenance involved.
Digital mixers have made some considerable advances in recent years regarding
the quality of the sound, and pricing that is comparable to many moderately
priced analog consoles. Digital mixers offer the best solution for any event with a
large channel count because each channel is packed with a four-band EQ,
compression, and gating. Additionally, each output features graphic EQ for ringing
out monitors. Many mixers feature internal effects with up to eight insert slots for
use with internal sends. You can still use your favorite outboard gear, but the
digital platform reduces the amount of gear substantially. Another benefit of the
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digital mixer is the wireless control options. Many mixers offer iOS and Android
control apps.
If the FOH position is in a less than desirable place, the engineer can move about
the room to make informed adjustments based on the audience’s perspective.
This also allows the engineer to tweak monitors from the stage, while standing
next to the musicians. Many mixer platforms will allow multiple device setups in
which band members may adjust their own mix in real time, allowing the FOH
engineer to focus on the main mix. Other features now incorporated in the digital
platform include spectral analysis and a real-time analyzer (RTA) for making
adjustments to monitors or to the entire mix. However, I still recommend a
dedicated speaker processor for tuning the sound system.
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Stage Sub-Snakes
Utilizing stage sub-snakes before going to the main stage snake will keep the
cable clutter on stage to a minimum. Many digital mixers offer digital stage boxes
that function like an analog stage snake, only instead of a 16- to 24-pair multi-
channel cable, the digital snake will use a single CAT5 cable to connect to the
mixer in the FOH position. This cuts down considerably on the weight and setup
time of the entire system.
Digital Snake
Microphones
For musicians to be heard, microphones are used to capture vocals, guitar
amplifiers, and drums. The mainstay of live music is the use of dynamic
microphones. There are many microphone manufacturers, but the favorite of
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most clubs is still the Shure SM58 for vocals and SM57 for instruments. They have
proven their value over time by sounding good and being incredibly rugged. They
can literally take a beating and still function. If there is the budget and desire for
wireless microphones, I highly recommend the Shure GLXD24R+ or QLXD series
digital microphones. The GLXD is an affordable option with a clean, clear sound
without any artifacts, a simple setup, and a built-in charger in the receiver.
Shure GLXD24R+
In-Ear Monitors
Many bands prefer to forgo the use of stage monitors and opt for in-ear-monitors
(IEM). I’ve used the entry-level PSM300 Shure Personal Monitoring System for
years and have had excellent results. With a digital mixer, the setup and operation
is even simpler, resulting in very happy musicians who are able to set their own
monitor mix—and without excessive stage volume.
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In Conclusion
As you can see, there are many directions one can choose when setting up a
sound system for your band or event: analog mixers versus digital mixers; passive
speakers and subs versus active designs. Each has its pros and cons. The most
important thing is to use your ears when making decisions. Always listen to
speakers before purchasing and, if possible, demo speakers and subs together,
especially if you are using different brands. I can’t recommend enough the
importance of having a dedicated speaker processor for any system, regardless of
size or budget.
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JBL Dual EON715 Powered Speaker Kit with Stands, Covers, Bag, and Cables B&H
# JBEON715PK
15" Powered Speakers
Bluetooth and Advanced DSP
Two Speaker Stands
Two Speaker Covers
Speaker Stand Bag
Two Premium Microphone Cables
8-Band Parametric EQ, 3-Channel Mixer
Automatic Feedback Suppression + Ducking
90 x 60° Coverage Pattern
55 Hz to 20 kHz Frequency Response
2 x Alto Professional TS312S 12" 2000W Powered Subwoofer B&H # ALTS312SXUS
For Live Stage, Theater, and Club Setups
12" High-Excursion Woofer
38 to 110 Hz Frequency Range (-10 dB)
Class-D Power Amplifier
Clip, Thermal, and Overdrive Protection
Combo XLR-1/4" Inputs, XLR Outputs
Integrated DSP with 6 Output Modes
Internally Braced Ported MDF Cabinet
Integrated Carry Handles
Includes Power Cable
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Key Features
Loudspeaker Management
Mac, PC, iOS, & Android Mobile Control
Crossover for 2- or 3-Way Systems
AutoEQ Automatic Room EQ Function
Automatic Feedback Suppression
dbx Compression & Limiting
8-Band Parametric EQ & Graphic EQ
Driver-Alignment Delay
RTA Mic with Flat Frequency Response
Omnidirectional Pattern
Looking for a complete loudspeaker management system to fine tune your PA setup? Check
out the dbx DriveRack PA2, a loudspeaker management system that can be controlled via
your Mac, PC, or mobile iOS or Android device. Using an optional microphone connected to
its RTA input, its AutoEQ function can be employed to listen to your room and automatically
EQ it for optimized speaker performance. The AFS (Advanced Feedback Suppression) feature
is designed to eliminate feedback while preserving the sound of your system.
In addition to automated functions, the DriveRack has integrated dbx compression and
limiting as well as both a graphic and 8-band parametric EQ section. It also features driver-
alignment delays and a crossover section that supports full-range, 2-way, and 3-way systems.
You can control the DriveRack PA2 directly by connecting from your Mac or PC via the rear-
panel USB port, or connect the PA2 to a wireless router via its Ethernet port for compatibility
with iOS or Android devices.
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presonus includes with its mixers, I will most likely go with the unit. I think I
can use the software to maybe " fine tune" if needed.
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B&H # MAPROFX12V3
he Mackie ProFX12v3 is a 12-channel mixing console featuring seven Onyx microphone
preamps with 60 dB of headroom and a built-in effects engine with 24 built-in FX, making it
well suited for live sound, home recording, and content creators. The integrated 2x4 USB
audio interface offers high-quality 24-bit / 192 kHz recording and playback with zero-latency
monitoring.
Channels 1-2 offer combo XLR-1/4" mic/line connections and a Hi-Z switch (for guitar and
bass), while channels 3-4 offer XLR or 1/4" inputs. Channels 1-4 include inserts, and single-
knob compression. Channels 5/6, 7/8, 9/10 offer two 1/4" inputs, while channel 11/12 uses a
3.5mm stereo input. Channels 1-10 feature gain controls, a 3-band EQ, an aux (monitor) send,
a dedicated FX send, pan, mute, and level faders. Engaging channel 11/12's USB 3-4 switch
will override the 3.5mm input and enable the USB return from a computer.
Each channel strip includes button selectors for Main L/R, Sub 1/2, and Solo (PFL). The master
section offers dedicated faders for Main, Sub, and FX. Main output connectors include both
XLR and 1/4", while sub and control room outputs use 1/4" connector. A dedicated 1/4" TRS
headphone output includes its own independent level control. Other features include an
input / USB 1-2 blend control, a dedicated FX output, an FX level fader, and an FX mute, which
can also be controlled via the 1/4" footswitch input.
Features
Professional Sound Quality
Equipped with 7 Onyx Mic Pres offering up to 60 dB of gain and ultralow noise
performance
GigFX Effects Engine with 24 different FX options, from reverbs to delays and
more
Essential Mixing Tools
3-band EQ on all channels
Channels 5 to 10 feature mic inputs and stereo line inputs for maximum
versatility
Hi-Z switches allows direct connection of guitars, basses, and other instruments
100 Hz low-cut filter and 48V phantom power on all mic channels
Stereo 3.5mm input on channel 11/12
Aux/Monitor output with dedicated per-channel send control
Stereo Subgroup output bus with per-channel assignment
Headphone output with separate level and blend control
Insert jack on channels 1–4
Pre-Fader solo on all channels
Footswitch input for FX Mute
Single-knob compression helps keep your input levels in check
24-Bit / 192 kHz 2x4 USB Recording Interface
2x4 USB I/O allows you to create two custom mixes on your computer to send
back in to the mixer
Perfect for live performance recording, music playback, live streaming, and more
Latency-Free Monitoring
Easily blend between monitoring your computer’s output and a direct feed from
the mixer
Professional Production Content
Pro Tools | First and Waveform OEM professional software and plugin packages
included
The DAW Essentials Bundle for Waveform OEM includes 16 powerful plugins like
Equalizer, Compressor, Reverber8, and Limiter
Signature Rugged Design
Mackie built-like-a-tank design
Solid steel chassis protects your investment
Tough ABS side protection
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Thanks
Vignesh
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This B&H Kit (B&H # JBEON61518K (B&H Kit)) combines the JBL EON615 Powered
Speaker and the JBL EON618S Powered Subwoofer with two speaker covers, a speaker
pole, and two XLR cables to form the primary components of a sound system for public
address, bars, karaoke, schools, church gatherings and more. The EON615 is a 15" two-way
powered speaker system with 1000W of Class D amplification and two input channels.
Designed for high-quality audio reproduction, portability and flexibility, the EON615 can be
used in a variety of configurations and scenarios. The speaker features on-board factory EQ
presets that allow you to set the system as a main house speaker, as a monitor speaker, or as
a top speaker for use with the EON subwoofer. The EON618S is a powered portable PA
subwoofer, designed to deliver high-quality sound reproduction in a variety of applications
supporting EON600 and other full range systems. A lightweight, durable enclosure allows the
speaker to be easily transported and set up wherever low frequency reinforcement is
needed.
In the Box:
EON615 - 1000W 15" 2-Way Powered Speaker System With Bluetooth Control
Power Cable
Limited 1-Year Warranty
EON618S 18" Powered Subwoofer
JBL BAGS - EON615-CVR 5 mm Padding/Water Resistant/ Cover for EON615 (Black)
JBL BAGS - Deluxe Padded Cover for EON618S
Speaker Pole With Manual Adjustment Between 36 and 55" for JBL Tops
Kopul - Premium Performance 3000 Series XLR M to XLR F Microphone Cable - 25'
(7.6 m), Black
Kopul - Premium Performance 3000 Series XLR M to XLR F Microphone Cable - 10'
(3.0 m), Black
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This was very helpful. Would you mind if you could recommend a mid-range sound system
components for church purposes with 50-80 people hall.
Many thanks,
Vonne
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one to the singer? How about chaining the wireless IEM base station with the stage monitors? One
wouldn't have control over those two monitor mixes, but otherwise is that a workable solution?
OR...is that where a speaker processor comes in?
Any thoughts on how to accomplish this would be appreciated. Thanks!
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g M. 6 years ago
HELP ANYONE... I have a pair of EAW AS-300is speakers, Horn loaded sound reinforcement sytem. I
don't know much about these except they are definitely for the big boys and they weigh alot. I was
wanting to sell them does anyone know what they would be worth and what site I could post them.
Not for sure on the age of them but they are in good shape but cabinets show a little wear but not
bad. Thanks
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RJ 6 years ago
I have been tasked with refining sound equipment at a small-medium church. Currently all the
speakers are active speakers (mains, sub, wedge monitors). I've read that passive speaker setup is
better for permanent installations such as churches.
All the equipment is relatively new and in great working condition. Do you think it is worth it to
switch to passive setup? I would need to buy new mains, sub, monitors, as well as supporting
equipment such as amps, front of house mixer/EQ/processor, and a bunch of speaker cables.
Are there any big drawbacks to using an active speaker system in a permanent install (besides the
hassle of turning the switching on and off for every speaker)?
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RJ 6 years ago
Bill wrote:
Most active speakers even have a signal sensing mode so you don’t need to run around
and turn them on, they’ll fire up when they sense a signal.
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