• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

A good live sound reinforcement book...

twangchief

twangchief

Supporting Member
Oct 30, 2003
768
28
61
Altoona, PA
#1
Could someone recommend one? ...or maybe a good online resource.

I'm going to be running sound from stage and want to gain some knowledge on gear to choose. I've purchased a decent 16-4-2 board and some power amps but the purchasing stops there until I get an idea of what I need. This will be for a multi-instrumental trio.

Thanks!
 
#3
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
#4
twangchief said:
Thanks!

I'm not concerned about brands. I've heard talented people make crap sound good (...and the other way around too!) So that means I'll be looking for 'mid-priced' gear to sound...mid-good. :smug:
Click to expand...

Then let me suggest Yamaha's Club series for speakers. Excellent value. If you have a little more cash go with Yorkville.

That covers mixer, power amps, and speakers. Other items to consider are a crossover if you plan on using subs, compressor(s) if needed (drums), dual 31 band eq for the overall mix and feedback reduction, reverb/effects unit (not as crucial with an instrumental act, reverb on vox not needed).

Here are some suggestions for mid range but quality options:
Crossover - check out a used Ashly
EQ - check out a used DBX, dual 31 band so you can eq monitors and FOH separately.
Compressor - used DBX 166xl or 266xl
 
#5
baba said:
Then let me suggest Yamaha's Club series for speakers. Excellent value.
Click to expand...

I agree with the above. I think that the minimum standard for good live audio is the Yamaha Club V Series, or the price-equivalents from JBL (JRX Series) and EV (Force i). If you can afford them, move up the line to JBL MRX Series or SRX Series, or EV Eliminator i or Tour X. Yamaha doesn't have anything better than the Club V Series.

Personally, I'm using Yamaha Club IV Series, and I'm very happy with them.

There's other great brands out there (EAW, Community, etc.), but these won't likely be easily found at retail.
 
#7
baba said:
Stay away from the JBL JRX series - I haven't used them but have heard nothing but bad about them.
Click to expand...

Given the choice, at the low end, I would go for the Yamahas every time. The JRX Series seems to have some issues (from what little I've read), compared to the Yamaha Club V, but I've never heard them in person.

JBL is a company of long-standing professional reputation. I would be quite surprised to find a product with the JBL name on it that wasn't up to professional standards.
 
#8
You might also want to look at the B-52's. I have a pair of 218 B52's with a pair of Yamaha S115 speakers on top of those and it sounds great. I run this from stage with a Yamaha 16 channel mixer and QSC and Crown power amps. The owner of the club has me use this set up to run sound for some of the larger acts that come through and don't want to bring their equipment all the way out to the sticks where we are.
 
#10
The Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook mentioned above is a classic. It gets a bit too technical for some folks, but it is all VERY good information.

May I also recommend:

Live Sound Reinforcement

Not quite as technical, also very well respected.

Frankly, I own and recommend both. That said, I've used Live Sound Reinforcement as a textbook when I taught a live audio course at the university level.

-Mark
 
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
#11
amper said:
Given the choice, at the low end, I would go for the Yamahas every time. The JRX Series seems to have some issues (from what little I've read), compared to the Yamaha Club V, but I've never heard them in person.

JBL is a company of long-standing professional reputation. I would be quite surprised to find a product with the JBL name on it that wasn't up to professional standards.
Click to expand...

The newer JRX series use cheaper drivers than the JRXs of 8-10 years ago. That seems to be my experience with the JBL stuff. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the polarity is out of phase with other non-JBL speakers also.
 
#12
baba said:
<snip>
Here are some suggestions for mid range but quality options:
Crossover - check out a used Ashly
EQ - check out a used DBX, dual 31 band so you can eq monitors and FOH separately.
Compressor - used DBX 166xl or 266xl
Click to expand...

Any particular Ashly x-over's. I've seen some reasonable prices for used ones. Also some reasonable prices on Rane gear.
 
#13
mrokern said:
The Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook mentioned above is a classic. It gets a bit too technical for some folks, but it is all VERY good information.

May I also recommend:

Live Sound Reinforcement

Not quite as technical, also very well respected.

Frankly, I own and recommend both. That said, I've used Live Sound Reinforcement as a textbook when I taught a live audio course at the university level.

-Mark
Click to expand...

I like technical. I'm a geek...I mean an engineer. I really should get the book you suggested though to get a different perspective.
 
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
#14
twangchief said:
Any particular Ashly x-over's. I've seen some reasonable prices for used ones. Also some reasonable prices on Rane gear.
Click to expand...

No, crossovers are pretty straight forward. Consider how many channels you need and whether your speakers will go low/high or low/mid/high (I'm guessing the former given your budget and needs).

Something else to look into is a DBX Driverack. They combine crossover, eq, compression, feedback suppression, and alignment delay functions all in one rack unit. They also have a pink noise and auto eq function to ring out a room. Some love them, some don't and prefer the traditional separate unit setup. Worth looking into for ease of use and cost.
 
#15
baba said:
No, crossovers are pretty straight forward. Consider how many channels you need and whether your speakers will go low/high or low/mid/high (I'm guessing the former given your budget and needs).

Something else to look into is a DBX Driverack. They combine crossover, eq, compression, feedback suppression, and alignment delay functions all in one rack unit. They also have a pink noise and auto eq function to ring out a room. Some love them, some don't and prefer the traditional separate unit setup. Worth looking into for ease of use and cost.
Click to expand...

Doesn't the DBX DriveRack's pink noise and auto EQ function require the unit to be in the traditional sound engineer's location....not on stage?
 
#16
mrokern said:
The Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook mentioned above is a classic. It gets a bit too technical for some folks, but it is all VERY good information.

May I also recommend:

Live Sound Reinforcement

Not quite as technical, also very well respected.

Frankly, I own and recommend both. That said, I've used Live Sound Reinforcement as a textbook when I taught a live audio course at the university level.

-Mark
Click to expand...
+1:)
 
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back