Wink: I run a SAC system as well (the Driverack is left from my pre-SAC days). So are you saying that once you equalize / 31 band the mic to make your voice sound as you think it should...you are pretty much there? I take it you open up the mics on stage to check for any feedback rings and such after that.

See..that\'s the problem...If you are not sure of what its supposed to sound like....it makes it difficult to get there (lol). The reason I ask is that for the past year I\'ve been getting back into Live Sound mixing. I have used a bit of a \"hit or miss\' approach to optimizing my systems. A bit of Frequency analyzer to get things from 125 hz to 700hz as per the DBX forum, 50 to 125hz by ear and then a mixture of RTA and Ears for 700 thru to 16k. Throw on a couple of CD\'s to tweak. I can get fairly nice sounding rooms but there\'s always the \"what if..? \" factor.
I recently helped a sound contractor optimize a setup in a church Sanctury using SMAART. It was amazing what information it gave back to you. Things I could hear but had trouble identifying were exposed on the screen. He then played some music and added in the recommended EV Speaker curves . The result was astonishing. I suppose with SMAART...it\'s knowing how to take a sample and how to interpret what you see / hear.

Jeff,

I don\'t consider that I really have \"golden ears\". I have been doing live sound as my primary source of income for over 20 years. Prior to that I was in the consumer stereo business for over 10 years. It was in the stereo business that I learned to listen critically.

I am not too high tech. I haven\'t used a spectrum analyzer in live work, though now with my SAC rig I may be more inclined. I have seen engineers bring one in and use it to advantage. I generally don\'t use a CD to tune a system. I work primarily on my own gear. I use my voice through the system for basic set-up (I know what I want it to sound like) and then work with any problem frequencies as they arise. You don\'t really know what your are up against until all the mikes are hooked up and in position. There may be stage rumble and reflections that just playing the system can not show.

I don\'t like to see an EQ chewed up more than necessary. If I drop a band and it doesn\'t do what I want I put it back. Eventually grabbing the right band will be easier.

I view mixing more as an art form than a science. You need to know the technical aspects of sound. That knowledge can help you understand why things are happening as they are. The art is in delivering to the audience the sonic picture that the musicians are painting up there on the stage.

I hope this helps a bit!

Wink

Wink...What advice do you have for optimizing a PA system for a venue. I have a fair amount of experience with a variety of Mixing boards...both analog and digital and a variety of PA and monitor speaker configurations. I have a demo of SMARRT and am familiar with the theory but not practical use. I have read extensively the approach advocated by the DBX Dirverack Forum (I have a Driverack 260 in my rig).

What approach do you use...I don\'t have \"Golden Ears\"...I\'m not one to fire up a CD and in 5 minutes have the room scoped out and EQ\'s set. What advice can you give?

Hello,

I run sound for a country gospel group out of Indiana.

We use an XR8600 PA Head with Behringer powered monitors.

Each Band member wants to use their own amps on stage but they face them out to the audience and I’ve tried to

Tell them that it interferes with me trying to set sound on the system, which everyone is plugged into anyway.

The instruments we have are Rolland electric drums, Bass, Lead Guitar, Rhythm guitar, Steel guitar and two singers.



They complain about volume control when everyone is overpowering each other on stage.

Then the music overpowers the vocals. It’s a real head ache and I can not convince them to leave their amps either facing themselves or

Leave them at home.



What do you suggest?



Also how do you get the front monitor outlet to work on the power monitors?



Thanks for any help or advice

darrinrvs5@netzero.com

Kris,

Yes, you will need an amp at some point. You could use the amp section of your 680 temporarily and maybe also use it as a monitor amp later if you add some monitors. You did not mention what your speakers are, but you do need to be on the lookout for an amp.

I just bought a used mixer (Peavey Unity Series 2002-12RQ mixer ) and I need to know what I need to do or buy to power my 15 inch speakers. I am new to the music industry and people want my garage band to play gigs. I suppose I need an amp for this thing. I\'ve been using a Peavey 680 PA, but I would like to pump sound through this mixer. What should I do? Thanks for any help.

This post is just so that there will be something here to see. Say hello or ask a question! Write SOMETHING!