Live sound mixing is the art of combining and processing a number of audio signals together to create a "mix" that the audience or performers at a live show hear. There can be a variety of different mixes required, depending on the performance requirements. Three types are: Front of House (FOH), which is primarily for the audience; monitor, which is exclusively for the performer(s); and recording or broadcast (cue), for special purposes.
Whenever sound reinforcement is needed for a live performance of either music, theater, spoken word, or sporting events, a specialized sound system is required. The primary goal is to cover the audience area and stage with a sufficiently amplified signal. The stage or monitor mix is necessary to enable performers to hear themselves and any other parts of the performance as needed. Also, the proper monitor mix can minimize time delays on large stages to help synchronize the performance. In addition, the stage mix can overcome the level of the house sound which can be confusing to listen to on the stage.
The source of sounds for a mix can be electronic musical instruments, acoustic instruments, playback of pre-recorded sounds and music, voices, other sounds ambience, and/or sound effects. This part of the sound system generally comprises a number of microphones on the stage, to pick up acoustic sounds, and/or a wide variety of other electronic signals.
If the mixing is to occur at a distance from the stage, it is customary for the individual signals to be balanced, low impedance in order to have noise immunity and retain their frequency spectrum. Widely differing levels can be accommodated in modern sound reinforcement systems. An additional requirement is to run the signals with standardized connectors and wiring.
A mixing board, a number of speakers (passive or active), power amplifiers, a number of audio processing devices, and the cabling, rigging, and power system to connect all of these components is usually what makes up a complete Sound Reinforcement System. Having the sound mixed or manipulated in real time is required as things are happening live and need constant minor adjustment. Some performers prefer to have the interactions of live musicians translated to the audience directly. An example of this is the old style bluegrass group using only one microphone. The musicians balance their ensemble sound by ear, and move toward the mic to emphasize solos. On the other end of the spectrum are musical or dramatic productions which can have many dozens of individual sources and dozens of sub-mixes out to dozens of speaker systems to deliver the proper mix to each of the performers.
A live sound engineer can mix the sound from the audience position, from a specialized control room, from the stage, or a remote truck, depending on the performance requirements. A trend in large scale theatrical productions is to minimize or eliminate the amount of sound equipment in the audience area so as to retain more seats for the audience. Elaborate digital control systems can be utilized for this purpose. For larger and more complex sound systems, more engineers and technicians can be required. The two primary engineers are the Front of House (FOH) engineer and the Monitor Engineer. The Front of House engineer mixes the sound that the audience hears in the house and the Monitor engineer mixes the sound that the performers hear on stage. A live sound engineer refers to a person that is experienced in the set up and operation of a sound reinforcement system. I watched this video on a Apple Mac Ipad and the sound was ok . But I am not a sound man . Nor do I like the band Men At Work . So why is it when I tell someone to do a search and look for a video on youtube called A sound man at work a bunch of men at work videos pop up . I used to call this video The sound man but no one could find it doing a search on you tube .
Loading...
2:57
TAKE IT OFF. (:by ChurystaneexX8,142,674 views
The hard work you have ...
I will tell you a little secret. Flute can not be transmitted through the microphone. Only the live sound. Everything else is distortion. Curve sound. But the curve also has the right to life.
:)
2000flute 7 months ago
Jethro Tull lost his hair.
onjoFilms 1 year ago
The Sound Man lol, do you know how funny this is? You've got that subtle understated dissertation of mankind sense of humor that cracks me up.
onjoFilms 1 year ago
lol, that's funny as hell. Hey dude, you got a right and a left and a volume and as you say a reverb/delay, don't take it so serious. Just light up a dubby and smoke that thing.
onjoFilms 1 year ago