Live Sound

Thanks to a recent change in regulations, a new class of wireless systems is revolutionizing live sound, theater, and broadcast: Wireless Multichannel Audio Systems, or WMAS.  Continue reading →

While audiophiles and gearheads love to debate the perfect setup for the studio, the live space is filled with just as many fantastic gear options. Of course, you have your time-tested road warriors like the Shure SM57 and SM58, and those will probably continue to be used onstage for decades to come. But as great and reliable as this gear can be, oftentimes what you see is what you get — in this case, that’s a solid, baseline live sound, but without much more room for fine-tuning or customization. Continue reading →

Miking instruments in open-air settings like amphitheaters can be complicated, as the weather can always be unpredictable and factors like the wind can ruin your sound. For the purposes of miking orchestral instruments in these settings, REMIC Microphones has created new mics that feature built-in shields to prevent any wind noise from being picked up. This past summer, Front of House Engineer Taketo Gohara went on with legendary Italian singer-songwriter Vinicio Capossela, and was tasked with running sound for two orchestras. When miking the Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini and the Orchestra Teatro Massimo in open-air settings, Gohara opted to use the REMIC LB (Live) microphones featuring built-in windscreens. Continue reading →

Selecting and setting up a PA system for a live performance can be an overwhelming process. There are the microphones on stage, the mixing console at front of house, the power amps and the speakers. Everything needs to be specifically calibrated otherwise you run the risk of damaging the equipment, or worse, having to cancel the show and refund everyone’s money. With all of that being said, selecting the proper PA is actually much simpler than it seems, and deciding what is right for you starts with just a few questions. Whether you’re in a band looking to supply your own system for shows, an engineer looking to rent and operate PA systems for events, or even a venue manager looking to upgrade your rig, continue reading below to discover how to choose a PA and set it up. Continue reading →

A lot of work goes into putting on a great concert. It can take days, weeks or even months of preparation to make sure that everything goes smoothly. When it's time to sound check a band through a venue's live sound rig, it's important that you have a solid grasp of what's going on and the day's schedule.  While every show is different and some have more moving parts than others, there are some basic terms that apply to all levels of gigs. Check out our Live Sound Glossary below and learn more about a few of the key elements of sound check that will help you get each act sounding just right. Continue reading →

When you think of establishments where great live sound is absolutely an essential element, you probably think about music venues, movie theatres and houses of worship. If you ask Retrofit owner Brad Goodstein, fitness studios also deserve to be on this list.  "Music is everything for fitness," Goodstein says. "It sets the mood. It motivates people. It can control the intensity of a class. Workouts can thrive with the right music." Continue reading →

Front of House vet Brian Pomp has handled live sound responsibilities for Iggy Azalea, Hollywood Undead, Kesha and American Idol winner Kris Allen, just to name a few. He's currently out on the road with the Joe Jonas-led band DNCE and has brought out some exciting new pieces of gear for this round of touring. Continue reading →

Tucked back on the outskirts of Detroit's Avenue of Fashion, adjacent to the famed 8 Mile Road, sits Baker's Keyboard Lounge.The legendary jazz venue started as a sandwich shop in 1933, but began booking pianists when Clarence Baker felt there needed to be music in the building during his shifts. Continue reading →

Do you trust your monitoring environment? Do your mixes translate as you expect them to? For most of us, the likely answer is “no”, or at best, “somewhat”. If you think the problem might be your monitors or room acoustics, you’re right, but that doesn't necessarily mean your gear or space needs a complete overhaul. Continue reading →

The National Association of Broadcasters, which holds its annual convention in Las Vegas, opened its doors to anyone working in the converging worlds of media, entertainment and technology this past weekend. While many of the exhibits focused on television, radio, cable and internet production, distribution and delivery, there were still plenty of audio products on display for content producers working in other fields to check out. Continue reading →