New member: Mark Anderson from South Africa

[markandersonsa]

Hello BFM members.

I'd like to introduce myself. My Name is Mark Anderson. I live in Johannesburg, South Africa. I am a newbie to speaker building and arrived here out of necessity.
My 12 year old Daughter is an extraordinary singer, who sings classical opera (very similar to Jackie Evancho). here are a few recordings on Soundcloud. These were "one takes" sung in my living room and recorded with a Shure SM58 with a curtain for damping! About as basic as it gets! She has placed 1st in a number of National competitions and continues to receive the wide mouthed stares of disbelief when the first few sounds are uttered from her mouth.

https://soundcloud.com/markandersonsa

I have purchased basic PA gear over the past 18 months to support her passion (Wharfedale Titan 12 Tops, Subs, mixers, mics etc). I found out quickly that very few "sound guys" know how to "sound" a classical singer. So I jumped in and learned.
I also found out that doing a sound check in an empty hall is not the same when its filled with a 1000 people!

Sound is now a passion for me and I hope to learn from the collective wisdom of the forum.
I have a fully kitted, 30 square meter dedicated wood shop at my home (My Other Passion) and as such feel confident to attempt most of BFM's designs.

My plan is to build the following (and this is where I would appreciate the forums input):
2 X DR250
2 X Titan 39" subs
2 X Wedgehorn 8" monitors

My aim to to to be practical and efficient for small events, with enough headroom for the odd 1000 or more person surprises.
The WH8" is important. My aim is to provide a very clear vocal mix when my daughter sings.

Eminence speakers are difficult to source in South Africa, as such, I have analysed the T&S figures and arrived at FANE SOVEREIGN 10-300 as a potential substitute for the DR's along with FANE SOVEREIGN 12-500LF for the T39's

Am I on the right path here or have I missed something along the way?

Regards
Mark Anderson

[Bas Gooiker]

Hey Mark, welcome to the forum.

I have used Fane Sovereign series drivers in a number of cabs, they offer quite a lot of bang for the buck. Loving the 10-300, hard to beat for the money.
My T39's are loaded with the 12-500lf which is pretty close to the Eminence Delta 12lf. Although the Titans need a lot of eq to get flat (same with the premium drivers) they do have a lot of quite output considering its "just" a 12 inch, and you won't need big amps.

[markandersonsa]

Dankie Bas

Thats fantastic. I was really keen to hear from someone who has used the Fane Sovereigns.
When you say" it takes a lot of EQ". Can that be done on a standard mixer using High, Mid, Low or is it a more complex procedure?
Reason I ask, is skill. Can a non trained operator attempt basic EQ or is it a task for a specialist?

[Bas Gooiker]

Dankie Bas

Thats fantastic. I was really keen to hear from someone who has used the Fane Sovereigns.
When you say" it takes a lot of EQ". Can that be done on a standard mixer using High, Mid, Low or is it a more complex procedure?
Reason I ask, is skill. Can a non trained operator attempt basic EQ or is it a task for a specialist?

If you check out the Titans response curve you will see it is alot more sensitive at 100hz as in the 40-45hz region. So to get it flat this would need some eq'ing. A low/mid/hi eq is not going to fix this, but i guess you won't be doing the FOH for the performance through a dj mixer.

To run the T39/Dr250 combo you are going to need a loudspeaker management system for crossover, limiting, and possible PEQ. I also use an aditional graphic eq to adjust for room modes.

[Chris_Allen]

[
If you check out the Titans response curve you will see it is alot more sensitive at 100hz as in the 40-45hz region.

I used to EQ, now I just change the crossover position.

[Bas Gooiker]

To run the T39/Dr250 combo you are going to need a loudspeaker management system for crossover, limiting, and possible PEQ. I also use an aditional graphic eq to adjust for room modes.

I feel i have to clarify my answer a bit.
Crossovers, eq's, etc. are not only for these cabs, this applies for any pro sound setup be it horns or direct radiators.

[Grant Bunter]

G'day Mark,
Welcome to the forum

The DR250's are a great choice. Clear, concise. Challenging enough build.
If you'd like, I'll point you to my build thread when the time arises, just give me a yell.

If you anticipate that the 1000 people events may ever be outdoors, and the Fane 12-500lf is similar to the delta 12lf, you probably should build 4 T39's.

processing etc has already been brought up. If you look at getting a DBX Driverack unit, it will do everything yoiu need as far as limiting, crossover, and EQ for your system. We can help you sort it out

WH8's are just awesome. Small enough to be unobtrusive on stage, but don't perform that way.
Your daughter will hear herself quite precisely. It has been said before that the WH series cabs actually highlight deficits in some peoples singing.
There's a couple of WH8 build threads to peruse, including one from me.

Hope this helps...

[LelandCrooks]

Get her some microphone training. My daughter is a trained opera singer, and had to teach herself. They just didn't teach it at college. That's why you'll virtually never see an opera singer holding a mic. One, a lot of the time they don't need it. Two, they're not trained in how to use one. That's why whenever you watch opera on tv they are using boundary microphones.

[markandersonsa]

Hi Leyland

I agree with your view. fortunately, my daughter is training currently with an American Opera singer living in Johannesburg who trained at the Juilliard School Of Music in New York. She has been taught from Day 1 to hold, feel and understand the mic and attenuate her voice by distance. The mic in a stand was difficult for her at first. She is comfortable with both now.

Leyland. What would your opinion be for monitor speakers? WH 6,8 or 10 or another perhaps and why?

taking into account of your experience with your daughter, do you agree with my plan to build the T39's and the DR250's? or should I alter my approach?

Your feedback is appreciated.
Regards
Mark

[Tom Smit]

Mark, welcome to the forum! As you already know, there is a wealth of info, and help here.

Your daughter has a very good voice for her age. Opera is not my style, but the singing that I heard was very good. With continued training and with age, I think she will be remarkable.

Your choice of speaker cabinets is bang on; clarity and efficiency. As was mentioned, 4 T39 cabs may be needed to keep up with the DR250s when outdoors.

Also mentioned was a sound processor, which must be used to get satisfying end results. I'm quite sure that you'll get the hang of running one.

[markandersonsa]

Thanks for the feedback Tom. I appreciate your input.
After yours and other members coments, I feel confident on my direction in respect of the Main PA (DR 250 & T39'S).

Still not convinced for the right technical reasons on which Wedge horn to built for use as a monitor for clear vocals with a full sound backtrack.
Any feedback would be appreciated.

Regards
Mark

[Bruce Weldy]

Still not convinced for the right technical reasons on which Wedge horn to built for use as a monitor for clear vocals with a full sound backtrack.
Any feedback would be appreciated.

If this PA is strictly for your daughter - forget monitors and go with in-ears. By the time you build one and add an amp and EQ, you can get a decent Shure In-Ear setup for about the same price.

No set up. No ringing out monitors. No feedback. No lifting.

[LelandCrooks]

WH6 for your needs. All you need is a good vocal monitor, that doesn't need to get especially loud. They do require eq, so factor that into your budget. Although Bruce has a very good point.


DR250's are spot on. T39's I'd do two and see if its enough.