Audio levels are crucial for any event, whether it's a conference, a concert, or a webinar. If the sound is too low, too loud, or distorted, it can ruin the experience for the audience and the speakers. How can you adjust audio levels for a successful event? Here are some tips and best practices to follow.
Before you set up your audio equipment, you need to assess the venue and its acoustics. How big is the space? How many people will attend? What are the sources of noise or interference? How are the walls, floors, and ceilings made? These factors can affect how sound travels and reflects in the room. You may need to use different types of speakers, microphones, and mixers depending on the venue.
Become best friends with your AV team that you hired. Work alongside them with open communication so that they know exactly what you are looking for. Don't just assume they know.
You can adjust audio levels for a successful event by following the below steps : 1- Use the right technology. 2- Engage the best AV technicians 3- Do a sound check. 4- Match the sound to the atmosphere.
Well from experience, you need to go to the venue 2 or 3 times to check the events centre and sometimes it depends on the level of the event (how small or big the event is) but the fact is that you must check the event site before any setup is done. A lot of things come up doing an event/production, by going to the venue will help you prepare yourselves better.
Never touch the "Gain" once it is preset. To avoid feedbacks. Use condenser mic for group singing. If multiple people are going to use the same mics one after the other. Adjust just the HF, MID and LF and not the gain.
As I’ve played over 5000 shows outdoor indoor outdoor everywhere, it depends on the capacity of the crowd and the venue and the ceilings everything has been taken inconsideration,,. What band is coming in, if it seats 5000 you gonna want some power you don’t have to go crazy on the sound, but I’d rather have more to push up than not enough to handle it ,if it takes 150 you don’t need as much power just to clean nice sound it’s 150,000 bring cabinets And power amps and plenty of backup generators. That’s my advice. Well, if you’re up to that level you got you got it the acts are coming and professional. That’s all done but staging and staging places around the world so you won’t have to worry about that you got the money to get that,BJH..??
Once you have your audio equipment in place, you need to test the sound and make adjustments. You can use a sound level meter (SLM) to measure the volume and frequency of the sound in different parts of the room. You can also use a pink noise generator to create a uniform sound across the frequency spectrum. You should aim for a balanced and consistent sound that is neither too soft nor too loud for the audience and the speakers.
Es clave a la hora de generar un evento en vivo, tanto presencial como online, poder dedicar al menos una hora y media, en lo posible dos, para poder chequear equipamiento, conexiones, etc. Todo debe funcionar tal cual lo será en el evento. De otra forma, el riesgo es muchísimo. Se recomienda tener siempre un back up en OTRO DISPOSITIVO, y en lo posible con otra alternativa de conexión, por si el inconveniente principal está relacionado a la salida. Siguiendo estos pasos y estando atento, nada debería fallar!
Most importantly test the sound system. After confirming audio is available you want to make sure it works. Do a few test runs and check with the venue personnel to make sure they have other options available if the sound goes out. Walk through the audio check with the venue personnel for quick fixes that you maybe able to do yourself. Have a back up plan increase all else fails.
Yes - my first gig at a club I worked at and then stopped for 2 years comes to mind - then I got called in for an emergency gig - got everything set, and running - and then realize the left main isn’t getting any juice. If I showed up earlier to do my tests and didn’t assume things would be up to my standard, I wouldn’t have ran into that issue.
Testing and adjusting the sound are essential steps. Utilizing tools like a sound level meter and pink noise generator helps achieve a balanced and consistent audio experience, ensuring the sound is suitable for both the audience and speakers.
You have benefit collection goals to meet. In order to do so, event attendees need to hear the evening’s coming attractions. Venues must be tested for acoustics. The bigger the space, the more some locations in the room might not clearly receive the audio. Room dimension, ceiling height, audio equipment, columns, partitions, table layouts, stage location, chatty guests, and so much more alters audio sound, reverberation, and clarity. Sound checks are crucial. Before guests arrive, position multiple associates around the room to clarify what was stated on the mic check, volume, and interference. Who wants to lose a potential sale, donation, or bid from a willing event participant?
During the event, you need to monitor the feedback and make changes if needed. Feedback is the annoying and potentially damaging sound that occurs when a microphone picks up the sound from a speaker and amplifies it. You can prevent feedback by placing the speakers away from the microphones, using directional microphones, and lowering the gain or volume of the microphones. You can also use a feedback suppressor or a graphic equalizer to filter out the feedback frequencies.
Worst thing in the world you wanna have immediately to be taken care of is a monitor problem artist will raise hell if the monitors are not correct and continues to happen the worst the show goes I’ve seen it done 1 million times I have any ears but sometimes the ears go out you have to depend on the monitors and the monitors don’t work right correctlyseparate desk for the monitors you screwed
As others will probably confirm, having shows go off the hitch without any feedback is the goal - which comes with proper prep and ringing out of your mains, each and every time you start your system. That’s been my experience anyway.
Proper speaker and microphone placement, directional microphones, and adjusting gain or volume can help prevent feedback. Tools like feedback suppressors and graphic equalizers are valuable for filtering out unwanted frequencies and ensuring a smooth audio experience.
Different inputs, such as music, speech, or video, may require different audio settings. For example, music may need more bass and treble than speech, while speech may need more clarity and volume. You can use a mixer to adjust the levels, equalization, and effects of each input. You can also use a compressor or a limiter to control the dynamic range and prevent clipping or distortion.
Guys not to hurt your feelings, but you get it if you know what the hell you’re doing at all anything at all you’ll figure that out pretty quick if you have the right equipment if it’s a speaking engagement, you won’t need very many cabinets just some good power to push a couple of good cabinets for a size of of 500 people in one room is 2000 you’ll need just if you work cabinets really good microphone good
Adjusting things based on what’s coming is also very important, ie a solo coming up or if a player changes instruments. Horn players come to mind.
One of the most important aspects of audio adjustment is communication with the speakers. You need to inform them about how to use the microphones, where to stand, and how to avoid feedback. You also need to listen to their requests and preferences, and make sure they are comfortable and confident with the sound. You can use a monitor speaker or a headphone to let them hear themselves and the other inputs.
Informing and guiding your speakers on how to use the microphones is essential. Advising them on where to place the microphone for better sound with no feedback. Encouraging them not to panic if the sound goes out.
Sound check sound check sound check all whipped almost showtime doors. What time doors are at 6:30 sound check till 530 make sure that stuff is right especially if the show is sold out.
After the event, you should review and improve your audio performance. You can ask for feedback from the audience, the speakers, and your team. You can also record and analyze the audio quality and identify any issues or areas for improvement. You can use this information to refine your audio skills and prepare for your next event.
I always like to hear playback of my drums after any show we do if there’s a way to do it usually I’ll do it myself with a recorder. I’m on mixer so I’ll just do that but not everybody can do that. If it’s recorded off the board then you’ll know pretty much. You can figure that out something big deal.
Having a proper gear is the most important thing. A multi-track mixer, good PA speakers and headphones are the basic elements for having a live event, ether a concert or a live conference. To set up the event more professionally, a projector with visuals that include infos and graphics or presentation that will bring more opportunities. In this case a laptop will cover the needs and already having a multi-track mixer and audio software, will make the recording of the event very easy. One mac can cover all of the action.
prioritize having a good sound equipment and sound engineer. good, quality sound makes such a big difference. also, consider sound checks and a brief for the speakers:)