4.12.14

Guide To Church Sound System Design

By Claudine Hodges


The term soundengineer is a generic term that can applied to different businesses, with specific qualifications. The soundengineer has the function of managing sounds in different industries. A soundengineer registered or mixes sounds or music programs, through real or virtual machines: amps, preamps, compressors, EQs, effects, effects pedals (church sound system design).

The multiplicity of experiences (internships, assistantships event ...) is preferred and can complete an initial training. Studies on treatment / signal theory / Acoustic / music. The sounds systems consists of distribution of sounds signal in a large space with electroacoustic means. A microphone converts sounds into an electrical signal sources. It can replaced by a cell directly sensing the mechanical vibrations of certain instruments (guitar, cello, bass, etc.). Even if the source delivers an electrical signal, it may be necessary to use adapters between the signal delivered and the console needs. A DIbox allows symmetrical and adapt the electroacoustic impedance guitar signal.

Last step before mass production of disc or recording (DVD). Is to equalize the levels and colors in order to make uniform the CD. Sometimes the book mastering mixer mixing several separate sub-groups, such a subgroup for the orchestra and another for voice, to allow a more sophisticated work. In radio, the soundengineer manages broadcast recordings, direct (interviews, debates ...), broadcasting and everything related to airing animation by time slots. It also provides, especially in small radio structures, technical maintenance: IT, broadcast or electronic (consoles, treatment), see if satellite radio station is equipped for it.

Sometimes placed on each console output an equalizer that can correct the overall response ofn enclosure according to its intrinsic defects, acoustics of venue, frequencies causing Feedback, operators wishes, etc. These equalizers are mostly graphics but nothing prohibits the use of parametric. The filter separates the signal into different frequency bands distributable by specialist speakers. Filtering can active or passive:

Apart from its technical qualities constantly evolving, the mixer must be patient and psychology. A soundengineer working in music recorded and mixed an album in a recording studio or during public concerts, or even anywhere. The soundengineer can a specialist, for example, classical music, Jazz, Rock, etc.

The first steps during hardware installation, are to choose the power and position of return distribution systems - those for musicians - and front - to public. If, in small configurations, the engineer may also hold the post of soundengineer and thus manage the mix, it is common in larger events, there is one or more engineers / soundengineers facade and one or more engineers / soundengineers in return for a faster response and better adapted to potential problems mentioned above.

The so-called limiters "peaks" protect against the first risk, limiters "RMS" against the second. The two may be combined. Some manufacturers offer more advanced devices capable of estimating in real time the heating of coil and the cone excursion and will kick in at closer to its limits.

The first synthesizers lead to invention of concept of home studio. For the musician, it is a revolution: no need to go in an expensive studio recording, it can make himself his own experiences, his models and then, with the development of electronic tools and basic computer a few years later, his own records. The advent of digital audio station profoundly modifies the uses in recording media.




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