Whether hosting a band banquet, setting up a jazz big band, or amplifying the auxiliary percussion of a marching band, knowing the basics of sound systems is a valuable skill for any music educator of performer. What follows is a brief guide on how to get started.
Everything begins at the microphone. Having as many high-quality microphones as possible helps ensure that a performance or event will run smoothly. To connect the microphone to your mixer, featured above in the top center, simply connect the “female” end of your XLR cable into the MIC OUT XLR port on the back of the mixer/ audio receiver.
Your mixer or audio receiver also controls outputs. These are either “main” or “auxiliary” outputs.
The main outputs include subwoofers, pictured in the bottom left and right, which sound the low frequencies. These are commonly referred to as “subs.” Also in the “main” category are the main speakers, pictured top left and right, which will allow the mid and high frequencies to come through. Some systems allow the speakers to connect straight to the subs, which connect to the mixer. It is important that the subwoofers be placed out in front of the musicians, and ideally in corners OFF the stage or performance area. Isolating the subs in this way prevents low frequency feedback resulting from their classic rumble and a solid sound disbursement.
The auxiliary outputs include monitors, pictured middle left and middle right, which allow the on-stage musicians to hear everything that is going on as the audience hears it. These should be placed so that all musicians can hear sound from the monitors.
The mixer board, featured above, can be operated from the side of the stage or from out in the audience. Operation from the side of the stage allows the sound engineer to assist musicians and receive their feedback more easily, and operation from out in the audience allows for an honest representation of what adjustments sound like. Modern mixers can also be controlled from a computer or tablet, pictured below, which allows for easier mobility.
While the above information can seem overwhelming, just remember that everything in a sound system is just an input or an output and most steps are just reproducing connections already made. Enjoy sharing music with the world!
Tech-ing Music Simply 