Amplifying And Recording Your ChoirA Hands-On, Basic Approach to

Sound Technology

Ed ArgüellesEd ArgüellesDe Leon M.S.De Leon M.S.

McAllen, TXMcAllen, TX

Two Different ThingsTwo Different Things

Sound Sound ReinforcementReinforcement

Amplifying your choir Amplifying your choir for your audiencefor your audience

Equipment Equipment Set-up Set-up ControlControl

TroubleshootingTroubleshooting

RecordingRecording

Rehearsal EvaluationRehearsal Evaluation

PerformancesPerformances

ArchivingArchiving

II Sound ReinforcementSound Reinforcement

GoalsGoals

Reinforcement or Reinforcement or Volume Volume

(What’s the difference?)(What’s the difference?)

Choir concertsChoir concerts SolosSolos Musicals/Medleys Musicals/Medleys

(stage)(stage) Venues Venues

First Things First!First Things First!$$$ Equipment $$$$$$ Equipment $$$

MixersMixersThe “Brains” of the SystemThe “Brains” of the System

PoweredPowered Non-PoweredNon-Powered Small FrameSmall Frame Rack-MountRack-Mount Large FrameLarge Frame Multi-BusMulti-Bus AutomatedAutomated

SpeakersSpeakers“Loud-Mouths”“Loud-Mouths”

Main (House)Main (House) Monitor Monitor

(Performer)(Performer) PoweredPowered Non-PoweredNon-Powered Full RangeFull Range Bi-Amp / Tri-AmpBi-Amp / Tri-Amp PortablePortable Flyable / MountableFlyable / Mountable

AmplifiersAmplifiersThe “Muscles” of Your SystemThe “Muscles” of Your System

MonoMono StereoStereo BridgedBridged Full RangeFull Range Bi-Amp’ingBi-Amp’ing Tri-Amp’ingTri-Amp’ing PortablePortable

MicrophonesMicrophonesThe “Ears” that Hear Everything!The “Ears” that Hear Everything!

Handheld – Dynamic or Condenser

Wireless

Lapel, Headset, Theatre

Area, Suspended

ComponentsComponentsAll the “Other” PartsAll the “Other” Parts

Also known as “Outboard” EquipmentAlso known as “Outboard” Equipment Players – CD, Mp3, iPod, Flash Drive, Players – CD, Mp3, iPod, Flash Drive,

Cassette?Cassette? Processors – Effects, Compressors, EqualizersProcessors – Effects, Compressors, Equalizers Receivers, Antennae Splitters, Power Receivers, Antennae Splitters, Power

Conditioner, Amplifiers, etc.Conditioner, Amplifiers, etc.

CablesCablesThe “Life-Lines”The “Life-Lines”

Mic CablesMic Cables Signal (Instrument) Signal (Instrument)

CablesCables Speaker CablesSpeaker Cables

? How to tell the ? How to tell the difference!difference!

SnakesSnakes Custom CablesCustom Cables

Connector TypesConnector Types

XLR (Mic, Balanced)XLR (Mic, Balanced) ¼ inch (tip/sleeve)¼ inch (tip/sleeve) ¼ inch TRS ¼ inch TRS (tip, ring, sleeve)(tip, ring, sleeve) Banana Plug Banana Plug (Speaker Connector)(Speaker Connector) Neutrik (Speakon)Neutrik (Speakon) RCARCA OtherOther

Putting It All Together!Putting It All Together!

Power (Multi-plug, Power Conditioner)Power (Multi-plug, Power Conditioner) (In) Mics, Insrtuments, CD, etc. (In) Mics, Insrtuments, CD, etc. (Out) Speakers(Out) Speakers Monitors (Aux Send)Monitors (Aux Send) Other Equipment (Auxiliary Send/Receive)Other Equipment (Auxiliary Send/Receive) AdaptersAdapters Label It! (So you can remember it all!)Label It! (So you can remember it all!) USE IT! (So you can remember it all!)USE IT! (So you can remember it all!)

Putting It All Together!Putting It All Together!

Making the ConnectionMaking the Connection Wires – the “Weakest Link”Wires – the “Weakest Link”

Check them one-at-a-timeCheck them one-at-a-timeHave spares!Have spares!

Learn how to roll-up & store Learn how to roll-up & store

If it “crackles”, replace it or repair itIf it “crackles”, replace it or repair it

The correct type of wire will improve soundThe correct type of wire will improve soundXLR, Signal, Speaker, TRS, ¼”, RCAXLR, Signal, Speaker, TRS, ¼”, RCAHigher quality cables last longerHigher quality cables last longer

Label them (if you need to)Label them (if you need to)

Testing & TroubleshootingTesting & Troubleshooting Getting a signalGetting a signal Trace the pathTrace the path Test each cable individuallyTest each cable individually Check the buttons & knobsCheck the buttons & knobs

Mute, Pan, Pads, Gain, Mute, Pan, Pads, Gain, Channel, Volume, RoutingChannel, Volume, Routing

Check the EquipmentCheck the EquipmentMixer, Speaker, Amp, Fuses, BreakersMixer, Speaker, Amp, Fuses, Breakers

If all else fails, check that you’re plugged If all else fails, check that you’re plugged in!in!

It’s A Balancing Act!It’s A Balancing Act!

11stst - Set your channel levels (volume) - Set your channel levels (volume)Main volume - One at a timeMain volume - One at a time

22ndnd – Set your monitor levels – Set your monitor levelsAux volume – for performers (if used)Aux volume – for performers (if used)

33rdrd - Adjust your EQ (natural or enhanced) - Adjust your EQ (natural or enhanced)Helps to avoid feedbackHelps to avoid feedback

44thth - Find your MAX level (before feedback) - Find your MAX level (before feedback)An audience changes things…An audience changes things…Save some volume to add Save some volume to add

(headroom)(headroom)

Concerning FeedbackConcerning Feedback

What causes feedback?What causes feedback?

A frequency amplifies itself A frequency amplifies itself (loop)(loop)

How can you identify it? (frequency)How can you identify it? (frequency) How do you eliminate it?How do you eliminate it? How can you prevent it?How can you prevent it? EQ (equalizer)EQ (equalizer) Analyze and “EQ the Room”Analyze and “EQ the Room”

Recommended EquipmentRecommended Equipmentfor Sound Reinforcementfor Sound Reinforcement

Mics – Audix OM-2, OM-3xbMics – Audix OM-2, OM-3xb Wireless Mics – Sennheiser EW series Wireless Mics – Sennheiser EW series

(G2)(G2) Headsets – Countryman, Audio TechnicaHeadsets – Countryman, Audio Technica

Da CappoDa Cappo Mixers – MackieMixers – Mackie Amplifiers – QSC, CrownAmplifiers – QSC, Crown Speakers – Yamaha, JBLSpeakers – Yamaha, JBL Cables – Belkin, HorizonCables – Belkin, Horizon

II RecordingII Recording

Easier than live soundEasier than live sound

Record your concertsRecord your concerts

Record your rehearsalsRecord your rehearsals

Evaluation & AssessmentEvaluation & Assessment

Archive your performancesArchive your performances

EquipmentEquipment

Compact / PortableCompact / PortableAll-In-One, Stand AloneAll-In-One, Stand AloneMicsMicsMixerMixerCablesCablesHeadphonesHeadphonesCD Recorder, Mini-Disk, CD Recorder, Mini-Disk, Laptop, Laptop,

Hard Drive, Flash MemoryHard Drive, Flash Memory

MicrophonesMicrophones

Dynamic MicsDynamic MicsPassive electronicsPassive electronicsCan take a beating and keep workingCan take a beating and keep working

Condenser MicsCondenser MicsActive electronicsActive electronicsMore sensitive to sound and handlingMore sensitive to sound and handlingRequires “Phantom Power” (48 volts)Requires “Phantom Power” (48 volts)

Mic PlacementMic Placement

Close ProximityClose Proximity

At the stage (like UIL)At the stage (like UIL)

Closer to your groupCloser to your group

Distant ProximityDistant Proximity

From within the audienceFrom within the audience

Careful with ambient noiseCareful with ambient noise

CombinationCombination

A mic close to the choir A mic close to the choir &&

A mic further away (ambient mic)A mic further away (ambient mic)

Record LevelsRecord Levels

Record MetersRecord Meters

Adjust LevelsAdjust Levels

Should read “just in” the “Red Zone”Should read “just in” the “Red Zone”

when group is loudestwhen group is loudest

Don’t allow the level to “Peak Out”Don’t allow the level to “Peak Out”

““Peaking Out” adds DistortionPeaking Out” adds Distortion

Once in the recording, it can’t be Once in the recording, it can’t be removedremoved

Recommended EquipmentRecommended Equipmentfor Recordingfor Recording

CD Recorder CD Recorder (Superscope, Tascam, Denon)(Superscope, Tascam, Denon)

Once finalized, ready to playOnce finalized, ready to play Laptop (software – can be edited)Laptop (software – can be edited)

Can be manipulated, edited, Can be manipulated, edited, convertedconverted

Flash Drive recorders!!Flash Drive recorders!!

Zoom H4, Edirol R-09, SonyZoom H4, Edirol R-09, Sony

One-touch recording!One-touch recording!

Ultra-Portable, expandable memoryUltra-Portable, expandable memory

USB output, Audio output, EffectsUSB output, Audio output, Effects

MicrophonesMicrophones

Condensor Mics (require Phantom Condensor Mics (require Phantom Power)Power)

Handheld (various)Handheld (various)

Choir MicsChoir Mics

Audio Technica (U853R)Audio Technica (U853R)

Shure (MX202 B/C, EZO/G)Shure (MX202 B/C, EZO/G)

Audix Audix