first gig

[rec]

first gig with BFM system this friday night
Since I am running a DRPA+ what is the first thing that I should do when I get everything set up
RTA, auto EQ ??
I will be in a gym ( I know they are the worst for sound)

My equipment : 2 OT12 (2512 loaded) to a QSC GX5, 2 t30's (4012HO loaded) to a QSC 1850HD (one per side)
DJ use only

[WB]

I don't know how cold it is where you are, but I would try to get the OT12's AutoEQ'd before Friday, preferably outside. If not, then second best is to do it in the gym away from walls, cab high off the floor and the mic fairly close to the cab. Also, don't bother Auto EQ'ing below 200 Hz. Personally I wouldn't bother in the gym if there are people around because it's very annoying listening to pink noise at high levels.

I'm not familiar with the DRPA+ (I use the DEQ2496), but I could give you my 31 band eq setting from my AutoEQ'd OT12 with 12 piezo melded array to get you going if you're interested.

first gig with BFM system this friday night

This sentence kind of scares me. I've had a few horror situations of using new untested cabinets and equipment for the first time at a gig. That's why I now always thoroughly test and try out gear before a gig.

[Gauss]

I borrowed a family member's large, empty garage to prepare for my first gig with my T39. The sound I got blew me away. It was also a gym gig. If I were to do it again, I'd put the sub in the corner closest to the entrance, instead of farther away. That way, they'd get the big bass right away and walk through it to get to the bleachers.

[rec]

For what its worth I have done a little testing my garage I know that does not account for much.
What I may do is see how it sounds as is, its only a 2hr gig at my sons school. If I can get in early and
things dont sound right I may run the auto eq and see what that does for me.

[bitSmasher]

You should have a reference EQ patch to start with, which means doing it outside as mentioned. That way if you fudge anything during the gig you have something to go back to, but if you AutoEQ in the gym and get it wrong you could spend all night chasing your tail trying to get it sounding right.

[Landl.livesound]

first gig with BFM system this friday night
Since I am running a DRPA+ what is the first thing that I should do when I get everything set up
RTA, auto EQ ??
I will be in a gym ( I know they are the worst for sound)

My equipment : 2 OT12 (2512 loaded) to a QSC GX5, 2 t30's (4012HO loaded) to a QSC 1850HD (one per side)
DJ use only

Hey Rec,

Use your ears, much better than a blind Auto-EQ can ever do, and not the right tool for the job.


http://campuspa.com/downloads/devil_with_rta.pdf

Take Care!

[rec]

Should I just start with a flat EQ and go from there?
I am a noob to this so if there are certain bands that need adjusting right off the bat that would help

[Landl.livesound]

Should I just start with a flat EQ and go from there?
I am a noob to this so if there are certain bands that need adjusting right off the bat that would help

Hey Rec,

There is no "rules" to what to EQ. It is a good start as someone newer in audio to not rely on auto-EQ to EQ a system as that, not only, does start bad habits but you don't gain any understanding of what is actually going on. You will learn much more and it will be a lot better for your future to learn exactly what it is doing and what you are doing that causes this to happen.


The best way to start is just try and get your system outside and just listen to many different types of music, but use songs you are very familiar with and see what frequencies are sticking out to you. Also you can get a 31 band EQ and move each slider up a good amount and see what kind of effect each one has. What you do is might find is one cause something to come out that you don't like how it sounds even when you bring it back to 0dB, then try cutting a bit until it doesn't stick out and "sounds" even.


Good Luck!

[WB]

Should I just start with a flat EQ and go from there?
I am a noob to this so if there are certain bands that need adjusting right off the bat that would help

It's nice to have a base line to start with. For me that means flat from 200 Hz and up. Personally I like to EQ 40 to 200 Hz manually outside using sine waves, it's more accurate. When I AutoEQ I have the "room correction" option enabled which lowers the output by 1 dB for each octave higher. This takes the shrillness out. rec, I saw your pm, I'll get you the information as soon as I can muster the courage to climb back outside into the cold dark garage. (soon)

__________________

I consider the AutoEQ function a very useful tool for getting a baseline curve, and should be used if you have it, especially for high efficiency cabinets that inherently have peaks and valleys. To me the OT12 sounded very harsh without AutoEQ. I like to use parametric eq to suit to taste at the gig (electric bass backline).

Before AEQ: OT12 with 12 piezo Melded array, full space, 1 meter, pink noise.

After AEQ: OT12 with 12 piezo Melded array, full space, 1 meter, pink noise.

What the GEQ looks like after AEQ.

Since I don't have golden ears, I'm quite content to let the DEQ move some sliders for me.

[Landl.livesound]

I consider the AutoEQ function a very useful tool for getting a baseline curve, and should be used if you have it, especially for high efficiency cabinets that inherently have peaks and valleys. To me the OT12 sounded very harsh without AutoEQ. I like to use parametric eq to suit to taste at the gig (electric bass backline).


Since I don't have golden ears, I'm quite content to let the DEQ move some sliders for me.

Hey WB,

I also don't have golden ears, but with some basic training your ears can become pretty darn good, and much, much better than a blind auto-RTA, which as Sydney likes to quote from Bob McCarthy's book "Sound System Design and Optimization": (Excellent book BTW)

""The real-time analyzer has a number of applications in which it is the best tool for system optimization: Zero"




Here again is a link for a paper that helps to explain why to ax the auto-RTA, and why the RTA has some uses but *not* with system tuning and alignment where it is not the best tool for the job.

http://campuspa.com/downloads/devil_with_rta.pdf


I would personally suggest to either:


(a) Start training your ears right now to EQ your cabs outside using many different types of music with songs that you know well. And just start with the groups of frequencies that seem to be sticking out.

(b) Look into the free program that Ron K. has found, "REW" where you can take an actual impulse response and transfer function. So then all you need is a decent measurement mic. Or invest in a program like Smaart.


Take Care!

[WB]

Here again is a link for a paper that helps to explain why to ax the auto-RTA, and why the RTA has some uses but *not* with system tuning and alignment where it is not the best tool for the job.

http://campuspa.com/downloads/devil_with_rta.pdf

Thanks for the link. I've printed it off and will read tomorrow. Looks interesting.

[bzb]

I think I have a pretty good ear. I can sing decently, play many instruments, and reproduce songs without sheet music.

But what I get hung up on, is how the heck would you know what a recorded song is SUPPOSED to sound like, if you've never EQ'd it before using some sort of technical analysis?

I always just EQ to what I think sounds good. Since I'm a bass freak, that usually means heavier on the low end, but not so much to make everything sound muddy or muffled.

[jcmbowman]

I think I have a pretty good ear. I can sing decently, play many instruments, and reproduce songs without sheet music.

But what I get hung up on, is how the heck would you know what a recorded song is SUPPOSED to sound like, if you've never EQ'd it before using some sort of technical analysis?

I always just EQ to what I think sounds good. Since I'm a bass freak, that usually means heavier on the low end, but not so much to make everything sound muddy or muffled.

Your question is the reason I get stuck hearing so much steely dan. Most sound guys who don't rely on auto-EQ will have three or four "Reference tracks" that they know like the back of their hand. Usually one or two tracks that are representative of a well-balanced full spectrum mix (hence the steely dan so many old-school sound guys swear by), and then one or two specialty tracks that readily expose weaknesses inherent in the system (In my case I have a couple of Techno/DnB tracks that almost instantly will let me know if I have any issues with phase or time alignment or low-end EQ). Then usually one more track that you just love, and want to hear at full volume while you walk around the space making the final minute adjustments.

And as far as just EQing to what you think sounds good - well - that's the whole point! Who cares if it's flat response, as long as it sounds good!

[lazyman]

I have a question for you guys. Will 15 band eq would be enough to tweak response of this system ?

[jcmbowman]

I have a question for you guys. Will 15 band eq would be enough to tweak response of this system ?

a 15-band EQ is a good start, but a 31-band would be much better. The 15-band just isn't precise enough to catch some of the peaks and valleys inherent in the design of these cabinets.