How To Set Up A Sound System For A Live Event 

We need a sound system to amplify and adjust the sound quality of an audio signal, and then provide corresponding output from the speaker system that the audience will hear. 

These steps are guides to help you avoid the most common mistakes and have a great sounding system. 

Step 1: Room Layout 

It’s extremely necessary to examine the space before anything is plugged. Proper placement of equipment before you start making connections prevents a noisy mess, failure to which your job will be difficult and the mood of the gathering ruined. 

Things you should consider: 

  1. Speaker placement 

– The goal is to place the speakers in a location where everyone in the audience can hear while preventing microphone feedback. To get maximum coverage of the audience, it is recommended placing the speakers on either side of the stage. 

– Use speaker stands to raise the speakers from the ground so that the sound will reach everyone in the audience, not just the people in the front row. If you don’t have speaker stands yet, try improvising cautiously. 

– Placing the microphone behind the speakers helps to prevent mic feedback. This also allows you to turn the speakers up very loud without the squealing sound of mic feedback. 

  1. mixer location 

– Ideally, getting to listen from the audience makes you know what to regulate, thus you need to have the mixer right in the middle of the audience. This is, however, not always practical. Mostly, the best place for the mixer is to one side of the stage as this keeps everything together so you won’t need to run any long cables. 

– In other settings, however, you’ll need to put the mixer out of sight,which outrightly requires you to tuck the mixer away based on your unique situation. 

  1. Cable Pathways 

– Determining the safest pathways for cables will help avoid tripping hazards. Run the cables along the walls when crossing a doorway or any other footpath. Also, you could keep the cables up over the doorway into the other or better yet tape them on the floor. 

Step 2: Power 

With verification on layout, run power to be sure there’s working power before the event begins. You could test the power by simply turning on the speakers in the mixer. Then turn them off again as all the connections are not yet set.

Step 3: Normal Mixer Settings (Default Settings) 

To be safe, set the mixer to default settings to avoid surprises from the last use. And also to regulate the sound in accordance with the theme of the event. 

Step 4: Connect Mixer To Speakers / Amplifiers 

Everything else in place, it’s now time to connect the speakers and/or amplifiers. Connect output first. Behind with main speakers then the stage monitor speakers. Then turn on the mixer then the speakers in this order to prevent pops or clicks. 

Step 5: Connect Microphones & Other Inputs To Mixer 

After the out, inputs are connected depending on the event. You could learn how to connect a variety of inputs so that you’re prepared for anything. 

  1. Line Level Input (Smartphone, Laptop, etc.) 
  2. Direct Box (DI Box) 
  3. Dynamic Microphone 
  4. Condenser Microphone 

Step 6: Test System & Set Up Gain Structure 

Start to set up the gain structure and route some inputs to the speakers. Pay close to attention as you optimize the performance of your system and make your job a lot easier. 

  1. Set Master Fader To Unity Gain 
  2. Play Test Music 
  3. Adjust Speaker / Amplifier Output Level 
  4. Set Input Fader To Unity Gain 
  5. Set Microphone Preamp Gain 
  6. Ring Out Speakers With EQ 

Janeson media school guarantees you basic skills in sound engineering that could later be developed into a sound technician career. Book with us to start on a sound career as early as now, on services@janeson.co.ke or call 0714444045.