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Interpreting RTA Measurement Techniques

Fig. 1: A 1/3 octave RTA display made using SMAART 7.4.2

Interpreting RTA Measurement Techniques

One of the most familiar audio analysis tools for live sound is Real Time Analysis (RTA), also known as spectrum analysis. Many of us are familiar with the process. One reproduces a known signal from a tone generator (typically pink noise), sends it through a PA system and uses a measurement microphone to capture the sound. The RTA displays the manner in which the audio signal has been changed on a graph showing frequency versus amplitude. You then adjust EQ in an effort to ‘flatten’ the curve, thus ‘fixing’ the problem.

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FirstLive A Guide to Live Music Venues, New York City

The Good Book

Back in the day (1975, to be exact), Warner Bros. Records put out a trade paperback tome called The Book of the Road. It was a compendium of information about significant venues across the U.S., collected by Jo Berger in Warners’ artist relations department, offering information like stage plots, PA types, FOH and monitor console types with I/O counts, and relevant contact info for stage managers. It grew out of an in-house project for use by the label’s own artists when on tour, and while it never became a best-seller in book form, it caught the fancy of musicians and live-sound techs alike as a kind of Fodor’s for roadies.

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You can mic the drums individually, with eight or more mics (as shown here). But sometimes a simple combination of one (or two) overhead mics along with a kick drum mic will provide good results, especially in a smaller sanctuary.

Drums, Mics and the Church

When we think of the ancient city of Jericho, we think about the Israelites marching around the walls for seven days playing their trumpets, and then the walls came tumbling down. However, historically speaking, besides the trumpets, the Israelites played many percussion instruments (drums) for those seven days while they were marching around the walls of Jericho.

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Illustration by Andy Au

Bidding and Pricing Job Proposals

I received an email from a reader asking me to write an article about giving a bid for festivals and club gigs. Other than the few glowing comments he used to flatter me into doing this piece, his letter included other points such as: “How much detail is required on the gear we’re supplying? Sometimes it feels like I’m giving too much information, and in other cases, too little. What format should the quote be in? What should my profit margin be? How should I account for and cost-in the ‘suck fee’ — contingencies for covering things that inevitably change after arriving at the venue, like having the generator moved at the last moment and needing to pull 300 feet of 4/0 feeder cable!”

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Morgan Sound upgraded the audio system at Sacred Heart Church, Bellevue, WA with Tannoy speakers and Lab.gruppen amps

Sacred Heart Church Clarifies Sound with Tannoy, Lab.gruppen Gear

BELLEVUE, WA — Morgan Sound overcame reverberation and intelligibility issues at Sacred Heart Church’s 750-capacity sanctuary here with one Tannoy VX 15Q for the main seating area, five time-delayed VX 5.2s per side, five Tannoy IS 52s for front fill and two Tannoy VX 6s and a pair of DVS 4s for the choir. The system is powered by Lab.gruppen amps.

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Audio Light Systems provided a technical upgrade for The Palace Theatre here that included a new RCF HDL-20A line array system, NX12SMA floor monitors and Media 502 enclosures.

The Palace Theatre in Scotland Installs RCF Gear

KILMARNOCK, Scotland — Audio Light Systems provided a technical upgrade for the 503-seat Palace Theatre here that includes RCF gear.  Twelve HDL20-A elements are flown (L-R, six per side) and two SUB8006 AS subs are floor mounted. The new system also includes five RCF Media 502 units, 10 NX12SMA powered floor monitors and an NXM22 mid high with PRO 8003-AS active sub bass.

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Yamaha CL Firmware Upgrade Now Available

Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc. has announced the availability of Version 1.51 firmware upgrade for the CL Digital Console Series. New features include Scene Preview functionality. The Help function is also supported by an on-screen reference guide, which, once loaded, resides in the console permanently.

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Arup Integrates Artec Consultants into its Global Practice

NEW YORK – Arup and Artec announced the integration of their Acoustics, Audio Visual, and Theatre Consulting practices. A spokesman noted that, prior to the Feb. 2013 merger, the two companies operated separately, with Arup founded in 1946 and Artec founded in 1971. Instead of one company buying another, the merger combines the two practices, which now operate as Arup. The move also brings 13 acoustics, audio visual and theatre consultants under the Arup umbrella.

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Brooklyn Historical Society Expands Venue, Installs Ashly Amps

Starr Provides Audio System for Expanded Venue at Brooklyn Historical Society

BROOKLYN, NY — For an upgrade and expansion of the event space within the historically registered Brooklyn Historical Society’s headquarters building, Starr Entertainment Group provided the audio system. Two eight-channel Ashly ne8250 amplifiers power 14 JBL AC 1895 two-way loudspeakers and a pair of EAW UB82s. Four QSC RMX 2400 amplifiers power four EAW SB180 subwoofers. The stage floor monitor system includes four JBL wedge floor monitors, dbx EQs and a QSC RMX2400 amplifier.

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