What strategies can you use to minimize ambient noise in a live sound system?

2 Choose the right location

Another strategy to minimize ambient noise is to choose the right location for your live sound system. You'll want to avoid places that are too close to the street, the air conditioning, or other sources of noise. You'll also want to consider the acoustics of the space, such as the size, shape, and materials of the walls, ceiling, and floor. You can use acoustic treatments, such as curtains, carpets, or panels, to absorb or diffuse the sound and reduce echoes and reverberation.

3 Adjust the levels

A third strategy to minimize ambient noise is to adjust the levels of your live sound system. You'll need to set the gain, volume, and fader levels for each input and output channel, as well as the master level for the whole system. You'll want to avoid clipping, distortion, and feedback, which can create unwanted noise and damage your equipment. You can use a sound meter, a headphone, or your ears to monitor the sound levels and make sure they are appropriate for the venue and the audience.

4 Adjust the EQ

A fourth strategy to minimize ambient noise is to adjust the EQ of your live sound system. EQ, or equalization, is the process of boosting or cutting certain frequencies of the sound to enhance or reduce certain characteristics. You can use EQ to improve the clarity, balance, and tone of your live sound system, as well as to filter out unwanted noise. You can use a graphic EQ, a parametric EQ, or a notch filter to adjust the EQ for each input and output channel, as well as the master EQ for the whole system.

5 Use noise gates and compressors

A fifth strategy to minimize ambient noise is to use noise gates and compressors in your live sound system. Noise gates are devices that mute the sound when it falls below a certain threshold, while compressors are devices that reduce the dynamic range of the sound by lowering the loud peaks and raising the quiet parts. You can use noise gates and compressors to eliminate background noise, hum, hiss, or bleed from other sources, as well as to smooth out the variations in the sound level and make it more consistent.

6 Use headphones and feedback suppressors

A sixth strategy to minimize ambient noise is to use headphones and feedback suppressors in your live sound system. Headphones are devices that you wear over your ears to listen to the sound, while feedback suppressors are devices that detect and eliminate feedback, which is the squealing or howling sound that occurs when the sound from the speakers is picked up by the microphones. You can use headphones and feedback suppressors to isolate the sound, monitor the mix, and prevent feedback loops that can create noise and interfere with your live sound system.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?