Forums Music Sound Engineering Sound System How To…

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  • #1042285
    noname
    Participant

      I’ve done some thinking, and bounced a few ideas off of Raj and Dr B on the creation of a (comprehensive) “how to” thread/section for sound systems, and thought I would post the ideas here for people to add their two penneth worth (and maybe even volunteer to help write…:groucho:) I won’t be starting until after our last outdoor party in any case, and any input would be greatly appreciated.

      My plan is to split the info into a linked set of posts (sort of like web pages, but using the BBcode the forum uses). I’ve got a standalone editor for BBcode (using the basic tags like the formatting ones, url, quote, img etc), so I can make them up and then send them to one of the moderators or other volunteers for editing etc before they get posted… It’s open source too, so anyone who wants to use it – it’s called bbEditor…

      The sections I’ve come up with so far are:

      Basic audio theory

      Characteristics of an audio wave, and how it is perceived/interpreted by our hearing.

      1. The physics of audio transmission in air.
      2. The biology of the human ear.

      How audio is manipulated or created for the purpose of amplification.

      1. Audio sources – string, reed, percussive, brass, voice and synthetic.
      2. Acoustic amplification – the soundboard, and various forms of resonant chambers, tubes and horns.
      3. Audio Electronics 101 – Reproduction in analogue form.
      4. Audio electronics 01100101 – Reproduction in digital form.
      5. Audio electronics 0065 – Compressing by various means.

      Audio amplifiers and other processing equipment

      1. Audio amplifiers (a basic introduction)
      2. Crossovers, what they do, and why.
      3. Mixers – what they do, and why.
      4. Equalisation in it’s various forms.
      5. Compressors, expanders and exciters.

      The speaker cabinet, and drivers.

      1. Closed box designs.
      2. Ported, or vented designs.
      3. Thiele/Small ported radiators.
      3. Horn and folded/scoop designs.
      4. Other “exotic” designs (flat speakers, shell types – ie the “Ammonit” etc, and any others that don’t fit the standard categories).
      5. Types of speaker driver.
      6. Multi driver cabinets and “drone cones”.

      Rig design

      1. Planning for a particular purpose – what you should take account of, and what can be ignored.
      2. Designing for modularity and robustness – why you should.
      3. Efficient use of time – what to design and build yourself, and what to buy ready made.
      4. Design flowchart, and how to estimate build cost and time.
      5. Power – working out the requirements, and working within safe limits.
      6. Matching amplifiers with speakers properly.
      7. Speaker cabinets – designing the boxes, and matching the drivers.
      8. Linking it all together.

      Rig building and maintenance

      Building and testing

      Intro: Safety requirements, and some words of good advice to save you ending up deep baked and crispy….
      1. Materials and equipment needed (and some good places to find them).
      2. Building the speaker boxes and loading them.
      3. Hardwiring into flightcases to save yourself endless plugging and un-plugging (and protect equipment obviously).
      4. Ground up building of the electronics (places to find this info if you’re wanting to do it hardcore style).
      5. Testing out for the first time.

      General maintenance and safety on the road

      1. Things you need to check before every use.
      2. Things you need to look out for and remedy if they happen.
      3. Yearly check ups.
      4. Fault tracing should it all go pear shaped at a gig.
      5. Essential “road” toolbox list.

      Rig Power (a generator survival guide)

      This is not really my field of expertise (although thanks to DJ Richie, I now know a lot more than I used to…) but I think it is a fairly essential part of any sound system how to…

      That’s as far as I’ve got. Any input greatly appreciated (especially if you want to volunteer to do/help do any of the sections…:wink:)

      #1119180
      elretardo87
      Participant

        Power distribution….the most forgotten about part of sound systems.

        Seen far too many people running “8kW” of sound system off one 13a plug socket and loads of multitaps.

        #1139919
        elretardo87
        Participant

          Power distribution….the most forgotten about part of sound systems.

          Seen far too many people running “8kW” of sound system off one 13a plug socket and loads of multitaps.

          #1119186
          Tek Offensive
          Participant

            wish i could help you on this one but my soundsystem knowledge is fairly limited. most likely nothing i can add that you wont already know in greater detail..

            will be great when its done.. very useful!

            #1139925
            Tek Offensive
            Participant

              wish i could help you on this one but my soundsystem knowledge is fairly limited. most likely nothing i can add that you wont already know in greater detail..

              will be great when its done.. very useful!

              #1119187
              Tek Offensive
              Participant

                especially this section

                ”1. Planning for a particular purpose – what you should take account of, and what can be ignored.
                2. Designing for modularity and robustness – why you should.
                3. Efficient use of time – what to design and build yourself, and what to buy ready made.
                4. Design flowchart, and how to estimate build cost and time.
                5. Power – working out the requirements, and working within safe limits.
                6. Matching amplifiers with speakers properly.
                7. Speaker cabinets – designing the boxes, and matching the drivers.
                8. Linking it all together.”

                #1139926
                Tek Offensive
                Participant

                  especially this section

                  ”1. Planning for a particular purpose – what you should take account of, and what can be ignored.
                  2. Designing for modularity and robustness – why you should.
                  3. Efficient use of time – what to design and build yourself, and what to buy ready made.
                  4. Design flowchart, and how to estimate build cost and time.
                  5. Power – working out the requirements, and working within safe limits.
                  6. Matching amplifiers with speakers properly.
                  7. Speaker cabinets – designing the boxes, and matching the drivers.
                  8. Linking it all together.”

                  #1119160
                  Anonymous

                    well done, canny wait to read what u put together.

                    #1139898
                    Anonymous

                      well done, canny wait to read what u put together.

                      #1119205
                      Ruff Beat Provider
                      Participant

                        This would be extremely helpful!
                        Should be getting a rig soon but dont wanna just bodge it together something like this would be great!

                        #1139943
                        Ruff Beat Provider
                        Participant

                          This would be extremely helpful!
                          Should be getting a rig soon but dont wanna just bodge it together something like this would be great!

                          #1119178
                          globalloon
                          Participant

                            good to see people sharing their knowledge

                            bring it on

                            #1139917
                            globalloon
                            Participant

                              good to see people sharing their knowledge

                              bring it on

                              #1119192
                              noname
                              Participant

                                Cool – I will be getting a start on it after Cluanie (which is in 2 weeks time). I planned to start at the beginning (as it’s usually the best place to start:wink:), but as there has been some interest in the later sections I am happy to take requests and start there (bear in mind the whole thing is likely to take a good while to complete, so if you want specific parts to be done first, let me know).

                                @ elretardo87 – Power distro will be taken into account in the last section (and absolutely right – I too have seen many “8K” rigs being powered over a standard 13amp house supply – very silly indeed:you_crazy). As I say, I’m kinda hoping I can get DJ Richie to have a go at that section, as he is much more of an expert on it than I am…

                                #1139931
                                noname
                                Participant

                                  Cool – I will be getting a start on it after Cluanie (which is in 2 weeks time). I planned to start at the beginning (as it’s usually the best place to start:wink:), but as there has been some interest in the later sections I am happy to take requests and start there (bear in mind the whole thing is likely to take a good while to complete, so if you want specific parts to be done first, let me know).

                                  @ elretardo87 – Power distro will be taken into account in the last section (and absolutely right – I too have seen many “8K” rigs being powered over a standard 13amp house supply – very silly indeed:you_crazy). As I say, I’m kinda hoping I can get DJ Richie to have a go at that section, as he is much more of an expert on it than I am…

                                  #1119207
                                  Nadz
                                  Participant

                                    This sounds like a great idea, as someone who knows very little about soundsystems but is currently getting involved with one this sort of thing would be perfect. Fair play to ya for spreadin the knowledge for free. :bounce_fl:bounce_g:

                                    #1139946
                                    Nadz
                                    Participant

                                      This sounds like a great idea, as someone who knows very little about soundsystems but is currently getting involved with one this sort of thing would be perfect. Fair play to ya for spreadin the knowledge for free. :bounce_fl:bounce_g:

                                      #1119185
                                      magneze
                                      Participant

                                        Great idea. :horay:

                                        #1139924
                                        magneze
                                        Participant

                                          Great idea. :horay:

                                          #1119194
                                          suffolkravas
                                          Participant

                                            hehe very nice, i woul actually find this very useful as well as i am part of a rig but im definately next to useless technically, im the one who finds the best speakers with the best sound and best prices and amps that power em perfectly, but as for the whole hooking up and electronic side of thins, im fecking useless, so this would be very useful. ill have a check when you done to see if theres anything useful i can add, cheers mate! raaa

                                            #1139933
                                            suffolkravas
                                            Participant

                                              hehe very nice, i woul actually find this very useful as well as i am part of a rig but im definately next to useless technically, im the one who finds the best speakers with the best sound and best prices and amps that power em perfectly, but as for the whole hooking up and electronic side of thins, im fecking useless, so this would be very useful. ill have a check when you done to see if theres anything useful i can add, cheers mate! raaa

                                              #1119195
                                              suffolkravas
                                              Participant
                                                noname wrote:
                                                I too have seen many “8K” rigs being powered over a standard 13amp house supply – very silly indeed:you_crazy). As I say, I’m kinda hoping I can get DJ Richie to have a go at that section, as he is much more of an expert on it than I am…

                                                hehe our rig is exactly 8k at the moment, but we power it with $2000 worth of amps :weee: amps are more expensive than the speakers themselves!! you gotta have the good ones tho if your serious about your rig :love:

                                                #1139934
                                                suffolkravas
                                                Participant
                                                  noname wrote:
                                                  I too have seen many “8K” rigs being powered over a standard 13amp house supply – very silly indeed:you_crazy). As I say, I’m kinda hoping I can get DJ Richie to have a go at that section, as he is much more of an expert on it than I am…

                                                  hehe our rig is exactly 8k at the moment, but we power it with $2000 worth of amps :weee: amps are more expensive than the speakers themselves!! you gotta have the good ones tho if your serious about your rig :love:

                                                  #1119161
                                                  Anonymous

                                                    Me amp got that hot tother night its warped the fans in it :laugh_at:

                                                    #1139899
                                                    Anonymous

                                                      Me amp got that hot tother night its warped the fans in it :laugh_at:

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