How can I make my PA speakers sound better?

Tips

1. Perform a quick sound check to set the microphone and speaker levels.
2. Place mics 1-2” away for voices and 4 – 5” away from acoustic instruments.
3. Rely on the acoustic sound of the performer and reinforce their sound with the PA system.
4. Two main speakers provide wider coverage for larger spaces or audiences.

How do you optimize speaker placement?

Move your speakers at least 2-3 feet away from the nearest wall. This will minimize sound reflections, which can negatively impact playback clarity. Adjust speaker angle (toe-in). Angle your speakers inward so they’re pointed towards the listener – more specifically, at a point directly behind the listener’s head.

What causes a subwoofer to hum?

Why does my subwoofer make a humming noise? The voltage difference between a subwoofer electrical ground and the equipment ground can cause it to hum. This can happen because of the irregular current flow in your audio cable. Turning on the volume too high can also cause a hum.

What is the loudest sound a human can tolerate?

Because people can’t hear all frequencies, or pitches of sound, A-weighted decibels (dBA) can be used to describe sound based on what human ears can actually hear. Sounds at or below 70 dBA are generally considered safe. Any sound at or above 85 dBA is more likely to damage your hearing over time.

Do I need a crossover for my PA system?

While there are internal passive crossovers inside some PA speakers, you’ll need an active crossover to split signal to your subwoofer and mains. Most powered subwoofers include active crossovers, but they tend to be simple and feature a fixed crossover point (usually around 100Hz).

How high should PA speakers be?

Most PA cabinets come with a stand socket that lets you mount them. With the use of speaker stands, you can mount the horn over the heads of the audience. It will be advisable to get the speakers reasonably high with their horns around 8 feet above the floor.

Do speakers need toe-in?

Ideally, the speakers and your listening position should form an equilateral triangle. If they are 8 feet apart (center-to-center), then it should be around 8 feet from the center of each speaker to your ears. If you are further away than the ideal distance, some toe-in may be desirable.

How does toe-in affect speakers?

When you toe-in a loudspeaker you are altering: The tonal balance of the direct sound – more toe-in equals more high frequency energy since tweeters becoming directional at higher frequencies. The level of the lateral side wall reflection. The relationship between the direct and early reflected sounds.

Why do my tracks not sound right?

Sometimes tracks don’t sound right because the constituent parts don’t make a whole. This can be caused by using sounds that simply don’t fit – synth brass being used in place of a real part, or a sample with slightly incorrect timing or pitch, for example.

How to avoid ruining your mix with muddy sound EQ issues?

5 Tips To Avoid Ruining Your Mix With Muddy Sound EQ issues 1. Get it right at the source 2. Manage your low end in the stereo field 3. Don’t be afraid to filter 4. Be extra-careful EQing your low mids 5. Keep good headroom Postmudernism

How do you deal with low end on a track?

If you have tracks with extra low end, deal with them using high pass filters. The steep drop off around the corner frequency of a high pass filter (sometimes called a low cut filter) is ideal for removing low frequency information that’s muddying up the mix.

Do your mixes sound like the pros?

If your mixes don’t yet sound like the pros, don’t be discouraged. For now, try to incorporate this advice into your mixing workflow. If you can do that, you’ll take a significant step towards closing the gap between your tracks and those of your favorite artists.