Musical Practice and Performance Stack Exchange
Musical Practice and Performance Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [live-sound]

managing/improving the sound in the case where the music is being performed live, in front of an audience.

For questions that deal with improving/managing the sound quality in the case of live performance. This covers all aspects of sound reinforcement.

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In live performance, what is a "monitor"

In discussions about live amplified performance, I have heard the term "monitor" or "monitor speaker" - what does this mean?
slim
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What is balanced audio all about?

What is balanced audio? What is a balanced cable? What is the advantage of using balanced audio? How does balanced audio work?
trw
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Using two microphones for vocals

In footage from concerts in the 1970's +/- I've notice that they often had pairs of microphones taped together, e.g. these: It seems like it was somewhat "standard practice" at one time; why did the engineers set up the microphones in this manner…
Dave
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Who plays the chords during a live performance when lead guitarist is soloing?

I recently watched the live performance of 'Stairway to Heaven' by 'Led Zeppelin'. I had a question while watching that song but it even applies to other songs. See during the section of the song where Jimmy Page does his guitar solo. The backing…
ameyask
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Cheap way to make sound from a MIDI keyboard, without PC

I have a USB MIDI keyboard which is totally useless when not plugged in into a PC and playing a digital instrument. Is there a cheap way, for example some type of box which has predefined sounds, synthesizers, pianos etc on it and a box integrated…
JustGoscha
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Why would a guitarist use a microphone and direct output from an acoustic guitar?

For example, when I watch Eric Clapton live, playing his acoustic guitar, he uses jack output and a mic. Why is it? Is it for acoustic nuance?
seseorang
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Mic use for masked performers

I have been assigned to improve the audio quality in a School auditorium. In specific, it is a common complaint that spoken text is difficult to understand. The room is large, with a high ceiling, and while it is excellent for chamber music it is…
nuggethead
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Pros & cons of in-ear monitors (IEM)

I've seen a few answers to questons 'around' monitors suggesting that in-ear monitors have good and bad points and are good for some musicians but not others - eg good for drums, not good for bassists. Some of this will be personal taste of course,…
user2808054
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Advantages/Disadvantages of a line out compared to a close mic system

I'm a fairly novice techie, and I'm setting up a rig for a big musical production, with the help of some others, and we are thinking about close micing a guitar amp for the pit band, as opposed to running a line out into the multicore system. Are…
alexheslop1
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Microphone pick up patterns for live performance - advantages/disadvantages of cardioid, supercardioid or hypercardioid?

I perform in small venues (sing and play acoustic/electric guitar) through a small PA system with a monitor on stage. I have several Shure SM58 Microphones that have a cardioid pickup pattern. I am considering buying a new mic or two and was…
Rockin Cowboy
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How to put PA speaker so I can't get any feedback?

I'm talking about best position to put PA speaker while me (as a band that consist of lead vocal, 1 backing vocal, an acoustic-guitar (plugged), a bass, and an acoustic-small-drum.) play in a small room (like cafes, or small restaurant), where I…
seseorang
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Loudness of A Contrabass

I was watching a play called The Contrabass and the actor stated that "the contrabass is different from other instruments in that, it is heard better as one moves further from it" (please note that this is my translation). Unfortunately, I can not…
Oguz
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What does a DI box do?

I'm not new to recording music but I've almost always used a microphone to gather the sound. I have heard people referring to a "DI box" when plugging an instrument (guitar/bass) directly into a recording/mixer input. I have tried a DI box but not…
user2808054
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Why acoustic-guitar often use direct output instead of amp miking while on-stage?

When I'm performing a song (well, any) on stage, with an acoustic-electric guitar, the soundman tells me that I should use direct output into the mixer, but when I ask for it to be plugged into an amp first (which is a Roland JC-120), he says that…
seseorang
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Reducing amplifier sound bleeding into mics in a theater setting

I'm having a problem in a live staging setup, in which I have 3 guitar amps and 2 bass amps, all miked, feeding back on on-stage rifle mics. Just to specify, there isn't any way to line out from these amps, for reasons unimportant to this question.…
alexheslop1
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