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Live sound mixing

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consoles are a great time saver for concerts where the main band is preceded by several support acts. Using an automated console, the engineer can record the settings that each band asks for during their individual soundchecks. Then, during the concert, the engineer can call up the settings from memory, and the faders will automatically move to the position that they were placed in during the soundcheck. On a larger scale, technical rehearsals may be held in the days or weeks leading up to a concert. These rehearsals are used to fine-tune the many technical aspects (such as lighting, sound, video) associated with a live performance.
396:. Once all the instruments are set up, the engineer asks each instrumentalist to perform alone, so that the levels and equalization for the instruments can be adjusted. Since a drum kit contains a number of drums, cymbals and percussion instruments, the engineer typically adjusts the level and equalization for each mic'd instrument. Once the sound of each individual instrument is set, the engineer asks the band to play a song from their repertoire, so that the levels of one instrument versus another can be adjusted. 133: 284: 36: 335:
consoles, the audio engineer may only have a single "auxiliary send" knob on each channel strip. With only one "aux send", an engineer would only be able to make a single monitor mix, which would normally be focused on meeting the needs of the lead singer. Larger, more expensive audio consoles may provide the capabilities to make multiple monitor mixes (e.g., one mix for the
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musicians). In a noisy club with high-volume rock music groups, monitor engineers may be asked for just the vocals in the monitors. This is because in a rock band, the guitarist, bassist and keyboardist typically have their own large amplifiers and speakers, and rock drums are loud enough to be heard
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EQ mixing involved adjusting each sound source's equalization (EQ) settings to achieve a desired sound. This involves adjusting the frequency, amplitude, and resonance of each sound source. EQ can be used to create clarity and depth to the mix, as well as to customize the sound of each instrument or
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According to professionals, it is important to have both technical and creative skills. Technical skills involve understanding the principles of sound and acoustics, as well as being familiar with different types of audio equipment. This means understanding how to use equalization, compression, and
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In the 2010s, many professional bands and major venues use digital mixing consoles that have automated controls and digital memory for previous settings. The settings of previous shows can be saved and recalled in the console and a band can start playing with a limited soundcheck. Automated mixing
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Drummers generally want a blend of all of the onstage instruments and vocals in their monitor mix, with extra volume provided for bass drum, electric bass and guitar. Guitar players typically want to hear the bass drum, other guitars (e.g., rhythm guitar) and the vocals. Bass players typically ask
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rackmount unit onto the lead vocalist's track to correct pitch errors. An example of using an inserted effect on a group of inputs would be to add reverb to all of the vocalists' channels (lead vocalist and backing vocalists). An example of adding effects to the entire output mix would be to use a
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of the vocal sound. However, to be a professional live sound engineer, an individual needs more than just technical knowledge. They must also understand the types of sounds and tones that various musical acts in different genres expect in their live sound mix. This knowledge of musical styles is
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For smaller shows, such as bar and smaller club gigs, it is common for the monitors to be mixed from the front of house position, and the number of individual monitor mixes could be limited by the capabilities of the front of house mixing desk. In smaller clubs with lower- to mid-priced audio
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and all the vocalists perform a song from their repertoire. During this song, the engineer can adjust the balance of the different instruments and vocalists. This allows the sound of the instruments and vocals to be fine-tuned prior to the audience hearing the first song.
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to produce a good mix, because they have to understand how to mix different instruments and amplifiers, what types of mics to use, where to place the mics, how to attenuate "hot" instrument signals that are overloading and clipping the channel, how to prevent
295:(FOH) engineer focuses on mixing audio for the audience, and most often operates from the middle of the audience or at the last few rows of the audience. The output signals from the FOH console connects to a 247:, etc.) before they are electrically summed (blended together). A live audio sound mixer basically mixes a bunch of different signals together and then sends that blended signal to outputs (speakers). 442:
typically learned from years of experience listening to and mixing sound in live contexts. A live sound engineer must know, for example, the difference between creating the powerful drum sound that a
388:, etc.) are set up on stage, and the engineer places microphones near the instruments and amplifiers in the most appropriate location to pick up the sound and some instruments, such as the 319:). The monitor engineer's role is important where the instruments and voices on the stage area is amplified. Usually, individual performers receive personalised feeds either via 352:
for a good volume of bass drum along with the guitars. Vocalists typically want to hear their own vocals. Vocalists may request other instruments in their monitor mix, as well.
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and the singers are asked to sing individually and as a group, so that the engineer can adjust the levels and equalization. The final part of the soundcheck is to have the
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on) individual inputs, groups of inputs, or the entire output mix, using processors that are internal to the mixer or external (outboard effects, which are often
453:. They should also be able to troubleshoot technical issues quickly and effectively, and be comfortable working with a variety of different systems and setups. 348:
acoustically. In large venues, such as outdoor festivals, bands may request a mix of the full band through the monitors, including vocals and instruments.
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The broadcast mixer is responsible for audio delivered for radio or television broadcast. Broadcast mixing is usually performed in an
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system. The live sound engineer listens and balances the various audio sources in a way that best suits the needs of the event.
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operator, might also work from the FOH position, since they need to be able to see the show from the audience's perspective.
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The foldback or monitor engineer focuses on mixing the sound that the performers hear on stage via a
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or software. Sounds that are mixed include those from instruments and voices which are picked up by
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just off-stage, to provide easier communication between the performers and the monitor engineer.
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Clukey, Tim (January 2006). "Capturing Your Sound: A Guide to Live Recording".
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Audio equipment is usually connected together in a sequence known as the
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graphic equalizer to adjust the frequency response of the entire mix.
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for different instruments and vocals, and how to prevent unwanted
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Stage Direction Magazine articles on sound designers for theatre
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is conducted a few hours before the show. The instruments (
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drummer will want for their kit, versus a drummer from a
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to adjust the bass and treble response and routed to
219:. In live sound situations, this consists of input 60:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. 27:
Blending of multiple sound sources for a live event
323:placed on the stage floor in front of them or via 136:A monitor engineer and console at an outdoor event 424:Audio engineers must have extensive knowledge of 143:is the blending of multiple sound sources by an 8: 299:. Other non-audio crew members, such as the 392:, are connected to the audio console via a 540: 538: 235:. These devices are connected, often via 120:Learn how and when to remove this message 488: 368:Sound checks and technical rehearsals 287:Two FOH consoles at an outdoor event. 179:) and pre-recorded material, such as 7: 646:Mix Live Sound Article by Buck Moore 457:reverb to create the desired sound. 191:. Individual sources are typically 58:adding citations to reliable sources 656:What Does A Live Sound Engineer Do? 519:"How Live Sound Engineering Works" 25: 636:The Acoustical Society of America 34: 45:needs additional citations for 163:and acoustic instruments like 1: 651:Club Sound Tips by Buck Moore 243:to each channel (addition of 517:Tim Crosby (28 April 2008). 671:Sound production technology 697: 372:For small events, often a 364:parked outside the venue. 297:Sound reinforcement system 631:Audio Engineering Society 499:. Leonard Audio Institute 399:Mics are set up for the 175:for instruments such as 621:FRONT of HOUSE Magazine 568:Music Educators Journal 420:Training and background 339:, a second mix for the 255:Audio signal processing 343:, and a third for the 288: 137: 286: 279:Front of house mixing 203:and reproduced via a 135: 547:"Monitor Mixing 101" 313:stage monitor system 263:mounted in 19" racks 189:digital audio player 54:improve this article 497:"Mixing Principles" 315:(also known as the 257:may be applied to ( 69:"Live sound mixing" 467:Live event support 289: 138: 435:audio compression 433:, how to set the 426:audio engineering 199:to ultimately be 197:effect processors 141:Live sound mixing 130: 129: 122: 104: 16:(Redirected from 688: 608: 607: 563: 557: 556: 554: 553: 542: 533: 532: 530: 529: 514: 508: 507: 505: 504: 493: 341:backing vocalist 301:lighting console 125: 118: 114: 111: 105: 103: 62: 38: 30: 21: 18:Monitor engineer 696: 695: 691: 690: 689: 687: 686: 685: 661: 660: 617: 612: 611: 580:10.2307/3401137 565: 564: 560: 551: 549: 544: 543: 536: 527: 525: 516: 515: 511: 502: 500: 495: 494: 490: 485: 463: 422: 405:backup vocalist 370: 358: 325:in-ear monitors 317:foldback system 309: 281: 276: 237:multicore cable 213: 126: 115: 109: 106: 63: 61: 51: 39: 28: 23: 22: 15: 12: 11: 5: 694: 692: 684: 683: 678: 673: 663: 662: 659: 658: 653: 648: 643: 638: 633: 628: 623: 616: 615:External links 613: 610: 609: 558: 534: 509: 487: 486: 484: 481: 480: 479: 477:Public address 474: 469: 462: 459: 431:audio feedback 421: 418: 409:rhythm section 386:bass amplifier 369: 366: 357: 354: 345:rhythm section 308: 305: 293:front of house 280: 277: 275: 272: 212: 209: 149:mixing console 145:audio engineer 128: 127: 42: 40: 33: 26: 24: 14: 13: 10: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 693: 682: 679: 677: 674: 672: 669: 668: 666: 657: 654: 652: 649: 647: 644: 642: 639: 637: 634: 632: 629: 627: 624: 622: 619: 618: 614: 605: 601: 597: 593: 589: 585: 581: 577: 573: 569: 562: 559: 548: 545:Joe Shambro. 541: 539: 535: 524: 523:HowStuffWorks 520: 513: 510: 498: 492: 489: 482: 478: 475: 473: 470: 468: 465: 464: 460: 458: 454: 452: 449: 445: 440: 436: 432: 427: 419: 417: 413: 410: 406: 402: 401:lead vocalist 397: 395: 391: 390:electric bass 387: 383: 382:electric bass 379: 375: 367: 365: 363: 355: 353: 349: 346: 342: 338: 332: 330: 326: 322: 318: 314: 306: 304: 302: 298: 294: 285: 278: 273: 271: 268: 264: 260: 256: 252: 248: 246: 242: 241:effects units 238: 234: 230: 226: 222: 218: 210: 208: 206: 202: 198: 194: 190: 186: 182: 178: 177:electric bass 174: 170: 166: 162: 158: 154: 150: 146: 142: 134: 124: 121: 113: 102: 99: 95: 92: 88: 85: 81: 78: 74: 71: –  70: 66: 65:Find sources: 59: 55: 49: 48: 43:This article 41: 37: 32: 31: 19: 676:Audio mixing 641:Mix Magazine 574:(3): 26–32. 571: 567: 561: 550:. 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Monitor engineer

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audio engineer
mixing console
microphones
drum kit
lead vocals
piano
saxophone
pickups
electric bass
songs
CD
digital audio player
equalised
effect processors
amplified
loudspeaker
signal chain

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