Question for live sound folks

[johndykstra]

Originally Posted by SixAndChange

Personally, for me the simplest approach was to carry a little spectrum analyzer around and listen for something that sounded odd, then check out what the analyzer read. This really helped me to learn to identify frequencies and other oddities one may discover whilst doing sound. I never used auto-anything but much like those devices function; sense, decide and act, I would use my ears and technology to help sense, and then I would do the deciding and acting. Works for me.

A very solid method. Where did you get your analyzer...how much?

[Harley-OIART]

Sorry to hijack, but this thread has been very good reading and It gave me an idea :

-Create a new thread meant to discuss "HOW TO USE 'SMAART LIVE'"

I envision it being a short and consise thread meant to outline tried tested and true professional methods of analysing & optimizing a system for any given room using a quality measurement microphone + SMAART Live and all its software features.

Any detailed input of methods, order of operations, software tricks and techniques, and other related practices - are very much welcomed and encouraged.

A link can be found below :

LIVE SOUND - USING SMAART LIVE

[nedorama]

Originally Posted by nedorama

We have an upcoming gig at a place we've played several times before at the end of this month, so it will be a good time to put the Driverack to the test (as well as a pair of Mackie SRM450s to replace some underpowered monitors). It's a small 2nd floor of a bar, seats about 75-100 thirsty people. They like having us, but it's a pain to lug everything up the rickety outside stairs - I'm convinced every time we play there I'm going to go through one of the stairs and have an amp rack or speaker land on me...

The Plan:

1. Reading the manual.
2. Setting up the PA in our garage to get everything tested out the weekend before the show (Monday night gig); put DR into the rack, wire it up, make sure sound is coming out of the speakers, etc.
3. Get initial info into the driverack (speakers, etc.)
4. Try out the RTA function to at least see how it works.
5. Reading the manual
6. Getting to the event early to set up
7. Reading the manual

Any other tips/suggestions from those that have one? Thanks in advance.

Here's the update:

Got all of the stuff out of storage, but didn't have time to set it up and play with the Driverack before the show.

Setup everything at the show, and attempted to use the Driverack for about 10 minutes before pulling it out between the Mackie and the power amp.
Put the new Mackie monitors down with volume at 12 o'clock out of the feedback destroyer.
Sound was great! much better, cleaner, better sounding monitor mix (no surprise) and no feedback (even better). Main speakers sounded fine and no problems.

I've since sent the Driverack back to dbx to have the firmware upgraded (no charge) since it was a 2002 model, and since then they've added a lot more speakers and amps. Will set up a test in the garage once it gets back and fool around with it.

Thanks to everyone on the board for your recommendations and suggestions - very helpful!

Next purchase:
Another Mackie SRM450 for our keyboard player/drummer, if not 2...
dbx eq so we can run instruments into drum monitor without all the low end (or I guess I could take the aux out into an unused mixer channel, eq it and then send that out to the monitor (Mackie 1642vlz)