CMU School of Drama


Monday, January 19, 2015

But Does It Sound Right?

Pro Sound Web: Recently I took a compact line array rig out for a demo that was also a live event.

The system included six full-range line array modules and four 18-inch-loaded subwoofers, driven by 12,000-watt amplifiers—and there were four more 18-inch subs sitting in the corner.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I guess this is a less scientific side to sound design that is just as important. You can spec all the right gear, figure out what you need for the venue, and even go in with a plan for what you think the mix should be like, but similar to how we talk about how "the art doesn't happen until tech", sound is not worth anything until it actually just sounds good and/or right. Everything else is just preplanning and highly precise educated guesses, but it really is the sound in the room at the end of the day that matters. It is neat that the author of this article recognizes this and emphasizes the point that sound technicians and designers must understand that rig and mix changes sometimes do in fact happen on the fly and can actually be unplanned. I feel that this understanding that even the best laid plans can change really is a global lesson that applies to pretty much everybody, not just theater, and certainly not just the sound department.