PROFESSIONAL
SOUND.
1. Live Sound
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Live sound mixing is the blending of multiple sound sources by an audio engineer using a mixing console or software. Sounds that are mixed include those from instruments and voices which are picked up by microphones ( for a drum kit, lead vocals and acoustic instruments like piano or saxophone, and pickups for instruments such as electric bass) and pre-recorded material, such as songs on CD or a digital audio player. Individual sources are typically equalized to adjust the bass and treble response and routed to effect processors to be amplified and reproduced via a loudspeaker system ultimately. The live sound engineer listens and balances the various audio sources to best suit the needs of the event. Audio equipment is usually connected together in a sequence known as the signal chain. In live sound situations, this consists of input transducers like microphones, pickups, and DI boxes. These devices are connected, often via multicore cable, to individual channels of a mixing console. Each channel on a mixing console typically has a vertical "channel strip", which is a column of knobs and buttons which are used to adjust the level and the bass, middle register, and treble of the signal. The audio console also typically allows the engineer to add effects units to each channel (addition of reverb, etc.) before they are electrically summed (blended together). A live audio sound mixer basically mixes a bunch of different signals together and then sends that blended signal to outputs (speakers). Audio signal processing may be applied to (inserted on) individual inputs, groups of inputs, or the entire output mix, using processors that are internal to the mixer or external (outboard effects, which are often mounted in 19" racks). An example of an inserted effect on an individual input is patching in an Autotune rackmount unit onto the lead vocalist's track to correct pitch errors. An example of using an inserted effect on a group of inputs would be to add reverb to all of the vocalists' channels (lead vocalist and backing vocalists). An example of adding effects to the entire output mix would be to use a graphic equalizer to adjust the frequency response of the entire mix.
2. Install Sound
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Install Sound refers to any professional speaker system permanently installed in a venue and can vary in size from a small bar and restaurant sound system to large-scale outdoor stadium installations. Sound installations can be defined as a special category of installation because of their distinct reference to sound and space. They are determined or influenced by the acoustic properties of the spaces in which they are presented. They are place- or site-specific. Quality of sound and intelligibility of speech are the most important factors for the successful installation of audio-acoustic systems in large commercial spaces, multi-purpose public rooms, teleconference systems, auditoriums, airports, train stations, and stadiums. A high-quality listening experience reinforces the brand’s image and values, and these components have a direct influence on the customer’s purchasing decision. This task usually belongs to a sound designer or a professional audio installation service, which will make decisions such as the necessary sound power, the number of speakers, or their distribution.
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3. Music
3.1 Music Recording
The art of recording music is filled with information that is mostly technical. There is loads of information on miking techniques, what microphones and preamps to use, and how to process them. What is less often talked about are the fundamentals that underly those techniques and choices. The acoustics of the recording space and the quality of the musician will define the sound of the recording more than any mic technique or processing chain ever will.
Essentially you can break down the types of recording into 3 basic categories:
1. Acoustic Recordings
Recording music in the acoustic realm is all about capturing sound waves through microphones and converting them into an electronic signal so they can be captured and recorded. Today, those recordings are mostly into computers and onto hard drives. Whether you are recording analog or digital, the basic process hasn't really changed a whole lot over the last century or so. Music, for the vast majority of its history to humankind, has always been acoustic. It is only in recent decades that music has gone to purely electronic sources.
2. Electronic Recordings
The second method of recording music is electronic recording. Electronic recordings go back to the invention of keyboards and synthesizers, and also with basses and guitars. The idea of using a direct electrical signal is that you are bypassing the acoustics altogether. For many instruments like bass and guitar, the amplifier is a huge part of the sound you are trying to create. Without the speakers and acoustic environment, you have to count on the electronics you are using to create the sound for you. The typical method for capturing electronic audio is through a DI box. The DI box will take any signal that comes from a high impedance unbalanced source, like from a guitar or bass, and convert it into a balanced signal so it can be plugged into a mic preamp and recorded. The balanced lines help to keep the signal quiet with a minimum of degradation.
3. In the Box Recordings
The third method of recording music is in the box recording. In the box, recordings are primary references to computer recordings where all of the recording work is done inside the actual recording application. There is no audio coming in externally into the recording device. Recording music inside the box is most often, or at least to some degree, MIDI recording. Essentially, you are capturing the technical aspects of performance through a midi keyboard or other midi instruments. Once you have captured the performance, you have the ability to grab any sound from the vast number of software synths and sample libraries available and edit them till you get the sound you want.
Recording
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DAW
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Audio Interface
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Microphones
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Headphones
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Studio Monitors
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Cables
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Microphone Stands
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Pop Filter
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Acoustic Panels
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Diffusers
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Reflection Filters
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Rack Mount
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Power Conditioner
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Microphone Preamp
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Headphone Amp
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Monitor Management
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Virtual Instruments
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MIDI Controller
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Electronic Drum Kit
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Control Surface
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Software/Plugins
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Snake Cable
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Uninterruptible Power Supply
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Direct Box
3.2 Live Music
Live music is capable of bringing an immeasurable amount of joy to audience members. It will put a smile on your face, make you forget about your worries, and instantly change your mood into a very happy one. Simply put, there’s nothing quite like experiencing live music. Live music is bound to provide you with a positive experience. It has the capability of bringing out emotions within you that you didn’t even know existed. This stems from hearing the music live and seeing the musician in person, an experience you simply cannot get from home, your phone, or the radio. There is nothing like seeing your favorite artist in person and hearing them sing and perform live which creates a connection between the audience and music that can only come from witnessing a concert. Based on the concert, the chances are you will be experiencing the moment with hundreds if not thousands of others who share your appreciation of music and are there to experience the wonderful environment that only lives music is able to create.
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Live Music
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Music Instruments
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Accessories
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Instrument Stands
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Microphones
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Microphone Stands
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Mixing Boards
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Monitors
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Amps
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Cables for Sound Equipment
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Light Boards
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Live Mixing DAWs
4. Disc Jockey
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DJ Setup
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DJ Controller
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Audio Source
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DJ Mixer
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Headphones
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Speakers
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DJ Lighting
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DJ Equipment Packages
A disc jockey, more commonly abbreviated as DJ, is a person who plays recorded music for an audience. DJs commonly use audio equipment that can play at least two sources of recorded music simultaneously. This enables them to blend tracks together to create transitions between recordings and develop unique mixes of songs. This can involve aligning the beats of the music sources so their rhythms and tempos do not clash when played together and to enable a smooth transition from one song to another. DJs often use specialized DJ mixers, small audio mixers with crossfader and cue functions to blend or transition from one song to another. Mixers are also used to pre-listen to sources of recorded music in headphones and adjust upcoming tracks to mix with currently playing music. DJ software can be used with a DJ controller device to mix audio files on a computer instead of a console mixer. DJs may also use a microphone to speak to the audience; effects units such as reverb to create sound effects and electronic musical instruments such as drum machines and synthesizers.
DJs use equipment that enables them to play multiple sources of recorded music and mix them to create seamless transitions and unique arrangements of songs. An important tool for DJs is the specialized DJ mixer, a small audio mixer with a crossfader and cue functions. The crossfader enables the DJ to blend or transition from one song to another. The cue knobs or switches allow the DJ to "listen" to a source of recorded music in headphones before playing it for the live club or broadcast audience. Previewing the music in headphones helps the DJ pick the next track they want to play, cue up the track to the desired starting location, and align the two tracks' beats in traditional situations where auto-sync technology is not being used. This process ensures that the selected song will mix well with the currently playing music. DJs may align the beats of the music sources so their rhythms do not clash when they are played together to help create a smooth transition from one song to another. Other equipment may include a microphone, effects units such as reverb, and electronic musical instruments such as drum machines and synthesizers. As music technology has progressed, DJs have adopted different types of equipment to play and mix music, all of which are still commonly used. Traditionally, DJs used two turntables plugged into a DJ mixer to mix music on vinyl records. As compact discs became popular media for publishing music, specialized high-quality CD players are known as CDJs were developed for DJs. CDJs can take the place of turntables or be used together with turntables. Many CDJs can now play digital music files from USB flash drives or SD cards in addition to CDs. With the spread of portable laptops, tablets, and smartphone computers, DJs began using software together with specialized sound cards and DJ controller hardware. DJ software can be used in conjunction with a hardware DJ mixer or be used instead of a hardware mixer.
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