Music: Practice & Theory

Questions tagged [live-sound]

Ask Question

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

82 questions
Newest
Active
Bountied
Unanswered
Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
50
votes
3answers
24k views

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?
19
votes
1answer
1k views

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?
16
votes
4answers
5k views

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 ...
14
votes
7answers
7k views

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 ...
13
votes
4answers
6k views

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?
12
votes
7answers
55k views

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, ...
9
votes
5answers
10k views

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....
9
votes
7answers
13k views

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 ...
9
votes
2answers
12k views

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 ...
8
votes
4answers
2k views

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 ...
8
votes
3answers
10k views

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 ...
8
votes
3answers
6k views

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 ...
8
votes
3answers
8k views

Pop filters and dealing with plosives in live performance

I was just listening to a recording of a performance I did a few weeks back, and couldn't help but notice the ridiculously explosive P's and B's. I'd obviously like to avoid this. I can't recall ever ...
8
votes
3answers
33k views

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 ...
7
votes
5answers
42k views

Can I daisy chain two mixers together to create more input channels (a sub mixer)?

Last week in a live show I had some guest singers join me on stage for additional harmony and I had maxed out my mic channels and could not add another microphone. I love my powered mixer and don't ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views

Achieve samplepad/keyboard synth sound with a bass guitar for playing live?

I play bass in a pop band and for a new song we want to add a synth bass similar to the one in this song: The estudio recording part is easy, so the question is if ...
7
votes
1answer
200 views

Outdoor evening gigs and humidity/dew impact on gear

I was playing an outdoor gig in North Texas last Saturday evening, and about halfway thru I lost what seemed to be about 50-75% of my volume level in my amp (Marshall AS100D, playing a Jumbo Takimine ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views

How does a DI box work together with guitar?

Basically I'm in need of a DI box and I'm not really sure what to get. I have a performance in January where I'm using Ableton Live 9 alongside a guitarist. The guitar will be DI'd straight into Live ...
6
votes
5answers
4k views

What's the difference between bass and guitar heads?

What are the differences between bass and guitar heads? I have recently obtained a Hartke cab and I am looking at heads. I see that there are heads just specifically made for bass cabs. why can I not ...
6
votes
3answers
3k views

Acoustic Guitar in the Live Mix

I play acoustic guitar in a band with drums, electric bass, and electric guitar. I'm often told that I need to switch to electric because nobody can hear my guitar However, I like the sound of ...
6
votes
3answers
837 views

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 ...
6
votes
3answers
252 views

Can a physics simulator be used to generate sounds for music?

Does anyone use, or know of, a simulator for creating sounds based on simulating the vibrations of real objects? I saw an art display called Tipping Point that created a sound-scape based on ...
6
votes
3answers
4k views

Is there a big benefit to running stereo?

I have a conference coming up and I am contemplating whether to run my guitar rig in stereo or not. Both my amplifiers will have microphones on them. My delay and reverb pedals have modulation, so if ...
6
votes
3answers
9k views

what kind of equalization is done for different music genres for your guitar tone?

I have articles which say that if you are into classic rock and metal then you should have more of MIDS etc can some one please provide information that for different kind of genres what kind of EQ is ...
5
votes
1answer
868 views

What type of microphone is this?

I've spotted these microphones (I think they're microphones...) all over the place in live music shows, but have been unable to find anything about them. Anyone know what this is?
5
votes
5answers
11k views

Using both outputs (internal speakers and headphones) on digital pianos

This is a common problem I had with many keyboards, and I think it's a standard, somehow: when connecting the headphones to a piano, the internal speakers are disabled. And that's cool! However, ...
5
votes
4answers
2k views

What should be considered when getting a band PA?

I'm in a band and we just started out, but I need to know what speakers we should get. Like I said we're just starting out so we might not need them for a while, but I still want to be prepared. We ...
5
votes
1answer
107 views

In-ear monitoring - will adding ambient mic help my monitor sound be less isolated

I'm an active church guitar player and I've been known about these IEMs for a long time but it wasn't until a few months ago I started using them. At first I was impressed how better you can hear the ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views

How do musicians synchronize with the playback keyboards/ambience when live?

Lots of times musicians especially in rock and metal bands, when performing live, they play over pre-recorded tracks that include keyboards/orchestras ambience or other effects. They always seem to be ...
4
votes
6answers
17k views

How to mic and amplify an accordion for live performance?

Derived from this question that ended up not being about accordion amplification. Which options do I have to mic and amplify accordions for live performance? Are dynamic mics on a stand recommendable?...
4
votes
1answer
351 views

Why is plexiglas(perspex) sometimes placed in front of guitar amplifiers at live shows?

Something I've noticed at several live shows (especially blues and jazz) is these short plexiglass walls placed in front of the guitar amplifiers. Why would they do that? What are they for?
4
votes
1answer
194 views

Could someone help me understand a little about sound/tone? Beginner/intermediate guidance perhaps

I've been playing guitar for a couple of years now. I always hear someone in the band mention something like, 'that tone needs to have low-mids', terms like 'gain..feedback'(just saying). I would like ...
4
votes
4answers
2k views

Connecting two mixers

I'm piggy-backing off "Can I daisy chain two mixers together for more input channels". In that question, I read that I can do that, so long as the submixer is going into the powered mixer through RCA ...
3
votes
3answers
13k views

Live Midi Controller Setup

Keyboards with excellent sounds are often expensive. Midi Controllers are relatively cheap and there's many excellent sounds via software such as FL Studio. I've tried using FL Studio live before, but ...
3
votes
2answers
267 views

Mic, cable, pre-amp setup for acoustic guitar to perform with big band through mic and guitar amp?

I am playing rhythm guitar in a big band, which is a new project for me. The guys whose sound I like the most in this context are Freddie Green and Django Reinhardt. What they have in common is that ...
3
votes
1answer
156 views

How can I ensure each instrument and vocals are audible during band rehearsal?

I have read a lot of advice on how to mix live performances and recording of bands. I have learned about making sure instruments are isolated in their frequency ranges during performances so that each ...
3
votes
1answer
533 views

How to get rocktron talk box to sound like peter frampton?

I want my guitar to sound like this though my rocktron banshee. Sadly it doesnt sound nearly as clean.
3
votes
1answer
268 views

When and why are IEMs used together with monitor speakers?

Following up on the question about what monitors are: When and why are in-ear monitors (IEMs) used together with monitor speakers? Are there situations where using only one and not the other would be ...
3
votes
2answers
968 views

Identifying orchestral sounds

Following my previous question about new instruments in orchestras, I was listening to a few concerts and well, some write the instruments being used throughout the concert, others don't. Most don't. ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views

Reaktor 6 vs 5 Learning differences

If one searches for reaktor tutorials on youtube or elsewhere, he finds that there are many tutorials for reaktor 5 but not many for 6. I wanted to know if I can safely learn to make instruments(...
3
votes
2answers
143 views

How to improve 1/4 plug connection on hybrid -XLR jacks

I got a Mackie SRM150 for stage monitoring but I'm having problems getting a good connection in the hybrid-XLR jacks on the front with a 1/4 inch jack guitar cable. Even when it feels like it's firmly ...
2
votes
3answers
241 views

how do you tune speaker systems?

A couple of weeks ago I sat in with a group that came through town and I heard the best on-stage monitors I've ever heard, no squeals, no chirps, plenty loud, and very natural sounding. I asked the ...
2
votes
2answers
284 views

Compensating for brass wound guitar strings when using a sound hole magnetic pickup in an acoustic guitar

I use D'Addario 85-15 strings brass wound and steel unwound strings on a dreadnought Blue Ridge acoustic guitar. I also use a Dean Markley Pro Mag in-hole magnetic pickup because I send an acoustic ...
2
votes
2answers
7k views

What are my options to incorporate a sub-woofer into a PA system for live music performance?

My current PA system I use with my band (usually 2 guitars, a bass guitar and drummer - with 3 vocal mics) consists of a powered mixer (Mackie 808S) driving passive speakers with 12" low/mid drivers ...
2
votes
3answers
100 views

How do I curtail the reverberation in my church

My church sits about 2500, normally we had drapes on stage and behind stage to help absorb the sound but then the ceilings were not in place, I gave specifications to my boss to use perforated ...
2
votes
2answers
7k views

Producing stereo sound from more than two speakers?

Is it possible to produce a stereo effect from more than 2 loudspeakers for example(4 full range driver) placing them one on each side of a square?
2
votes
2answers
345 views

How to reproduce the “pumping” effect on a live drum kit

In electronic music, a "pumping" effect is often produced to accentuate the sound of the kick drum. To do this, usually a synthesizer's volume will be compressed when the kick drum is triggered. ...
2
votes
2answers
838 views

Can the Behringer XR18 XAIR Digital Mixer be used as a breakout box?

I'm looking for ways to record 8 channels of sound to a DAW while passing the 8 channels along to the sound guy. The Behringer XR18 has been reccommended to me but I don't want to buy it until I know ...
2
votes
1answer
100 views

What's the best way to play variable-tempo samples live?

When I play with my band, I'd love to integrate background samples into our music. However, our group isn't fond of playing to a click track. Ideally, when a sample is to be played, we could dial in ...
2
votes
2answers
676 views

Stage manager of music?

Is there an equivalent of what in theatre is a stage manager for music? Someone that either stays at a specific venue, or travels with a band, and manages the light, sound, and other effects used in ...

1
2

Your privacy

By clicking “Accept all cookies”, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy.