In Their Own Words - Don Davis

Analyzing the space is one of Don Davis advices. One of the most important analisis before to start building an audio system. After that, we can decide what kind of speakers and amps we can use in that determinate space. I think that one of the most complicate and importand steps is analize carefully the space where we'll be working. Increible to hear from Don Davis that Equalization is a small part or step inside or system when we are adjusting electronics. Many engineers could be say that EQ is the most importan step during getting a good audio. A good equalization pull out peak inside our signal.

In my opinion I could say that many engineers sometimes are thinking to add and sum many equipment that is possible. Many bad utilized equipment could cause noise and degeneration of our signal. I can compare my opinion with Don Davis comment when he said "Pull out peak from our signal". That means less could be better. Maybe I could be wrong but it came to my mind when I heard this from him.

He closes his interview remarking again "Analize the Room". It could be the most important tool to get a good audio.

http://www.diigo.com/bookmark/https%3A%2F%2Finfocomm.integratedevents.com%2Findex_itow_dd.html%3Fviditem%3Ddd3?tab=comment&uname=vlepore

The bigger Picture on Equalization

The goal of equalization process is to produce better sounding for the listener. It could be a tedious process when we don't know what we are doing, and what kind of equipment that we have. In live sound could be impossible to have the perfect sound for the entire audience. As the writer suggest in the article, we can have an average, an middle point where the mostly of the audience could have a decent sound during a show when engineers try to correct off-axis response. At first view, using new technologies could solve or fix this kind of problems, but also, follow our common sense is the extra tool that we have to help about what we have to do. We could be supported by accurate equipment but it could work a lot better when we apply our knowledge and common sense. Sometimes sacrifice a little of the best is better than nothing.

http://www.livesound-digital.com/livesound/201106?sub_id=O3qJNluGb6bN&folio=42#pg44

Audio Basics: Not As Simple As They Look? Identifying & Solving Microphone Problems

At this time, on this level of instruction in Full Sail university, someone could think that we knows everything about the most basic knowledge in audio. After reading some articles, similar to this, I realized that we never end to learn everything, including the most basic audio principles. For example, a simple step as check the set-screw on the XLR cable when we have hum during touching a mic, it could be a easy step to forget during a show. In my so little experience, mixing for friends, this kind of tips are easy to ignore. And it could drive crazy to any engineer.

Another example, electric-guitar players receiving an electric shock when they touch their guitar and a microphone at the same time. I could look as an ignorant but I have no idea that it could be caused when "the guitar amp is plugged into an electrical outlet on stage, and the mixing console (to which the mic is grounded) is plugged into a separate outlet across the room" (copied from the article). An easy solution, plug the instrument amps and audio gear to the same outlet coming from the same AC distributor.

To me, the main issue on stage is deal with feedback and hum. I cannot imaging a PA running with a mass of disorganized cables at full noise.

The writer of this article closes it with an interesting story about a Korg M-1 synthesizer mounted inside the upright piano during a Lenny Kravitz concert. And his last remark says that"you just never know everything, and there’s something new to be learned every day". Pure truth.

http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/not_as_simple_as_they_look_identifying_solving_microphone_problems/P1

"Uncomfortable Audio Experiences: Truths About Sound System & Loudspeaker Distortion"

Perhaps when we hear the words HI-Fi, fidelity, it could be confused with high resolution. After reading this article "Uncomfortable Audio Experiences: Truths About Sound System & Loudspeaker Distortion", I realized that to maintain the fidelity of the sound can be much simpler than you can imagine.

I thought that to achieve HI-FI or true sound I should buy a expensive sound system. But it involves a carefully, well treatment of how set up and drive the available sound system. Main problem, avoid distortion, and it is easy to get it "over-driving either the input or output levels of the system, including over-driving speakers".

We should be care and well know of don't cross the line and we should know where is that line level that must not be crossed.

I'm agree when the writer say that a good majority of DJ's run their system with clipping. Two months ago I was visiting a local club and the DJ was bleeding the ears of the audience. I tought that I was wrong because the audience was showing comfortable but the audio in that place, to me, was so uncomfortable and annoying. The DJ cranked the gain all the way up to the maximun. As the writer of this article say "Crushing level is absolutely not what the audio experience is about".

http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/uncomfortable_audio_experiences_truths_about_sound_system_loudspeaker_disto/P1/