Have you ever been to a concert and thought that the sound was terrible? Even better, have you ever been to a concert and thought that the sound was great? Either way, we have all been to events where the sound has been good, bad, or something in between. So what are the elements and factors that make sound better or worse, and why are these factors an important part of any events overall success.
Audio engineering is unique blend of art, skill and physics, and when done well, can be a powerful thing. Even on a small scale, creating a great sounding event is full of complexities. Most people don’t realize the amount and scale of equipment that is required to reinforce even a small band. On the arena, or stadium level, the system complexities are multiplied. In my earlier days as a roadie in Nashville, I routinely worked on touring shows with anywhere from 8 -20 semi trucks of equipment. Tim McGraw’s “Soul 2 Soul 2 ” tour utilized approximately 8000 feet of audio cable, which is a staggering amount of copper, and connections. The audio systems used in these applications provide a lot of options, and a lot power and control. But regardless of size and money, there are certain constants that remain the same.
Left and Righ Line Array with a Center Cluster
For those people who have never really considered how sound physically works, the first thing you need to know is that sound radiates as a wave, and is therefore governed by the strict laws of physics. There are a lot of acoustical and architectural features that determine how sound waves will move throughout a space. The human ear, which is essentially a natural microphone, can detect sound frequencies between 20Hz (Hertz) and 20,0000Hz. Most audio systems can also recreate sounds across the same spectrum, but not all frequencies behave the same. Lower frequencies have a much longer wave length, and it requires a lot more energy to recreate these waves. Therefore, they will tend to move over and around objects more easily, whereas higher frequencies will tend to be absorbed by surfaces and materials. Understanding these factors is to important not only for the audio engineer, but for clients as well.
The average person or client, is not really interested in the how or why of great sound, yet I think most people know the difference between something sounding good, and something sounding bad. On some level, it is a subjective measurement, and this is why audio engineering is in many ways an artistic craft. However, if you are planning an event and there is a sound component involved, understanding the basic challenges involved in making sure your event sound great is important. It will also help guide you in hiring the right professionals, who understand the needs of you, your clients and your event.
Stephen Ridgway, MFA Recording Arts and Sound
