av production

The Elements Of Concert Sound

Audio plays a vital role in any live concert performance. Onstage Systems offers the technology and expertise for superior execution of this type of event.

In order to understand what goes into such an event, we offer an introduction to these elements.

Input Sources

In order to present any audio source, we need to be able to capture it.  There are several ways to accomplish this task. We will go over a few of the most common applications:

• Microphones are designed to capture sounds and send them electronically to a controllable solution, typically a preamplifier
  
• Direct Interface is another way to modify an electronic source of audio and prepare it to send electronically to a controllable solution, typically a preamplifier
• Line Source feeds come directly from sources like professional grade video players, digital media servers, wireless microphones, etc

Onstage Systems has an inventory of several types of microphones, direct interfaces and line source equipment from several providers. Feel free to discuss with us the appropriate equipment and its application.

Amplifiers

Amplifiers are overlooked in many cases.  When selecting an amplifier, power efficiency and output are strong considerations.  

Flexibility with speaker settings is also extremely important. Speakers need signal processing before this stage in order to maximize the effective output of any speaker enclosure.  

DSP’s or Digital Signal Processors integrated within the amplifier is the most efficient way of handling these two tasks.

Onstage Systems uses the L’Acoustics line of DSP inclusive amplifiers exclusively.  This allows us the flexibility to utilize virtually every amplifier for every speaker enclosure we have in inventory.

Speakers

We host a large inventory of a variety of speaker enclosures to provide the best coverage for the audience.

The largest portion of our industry comes from L’Acoustics speakers. L’Acoustics technology continues to outperform the competition with the amazing sound quality that is sought after by many audio system designers and audio engineers.

Audio Consoles

Audio consoles, or mixing consoles, are the central hub of signal flow.

They are used to receive all inputs. This equipment also has the pre-amplification that is needed for microphones, Direct Interfaces and other sources of live and pre-recorded sources.  

Each source is represented by an input. Each input can then shape the source to the desired sound for presentation.

The audio console then routes the sound through varying paths to include amplifiers and speakers.

Monitors and IEM

Monitoring systems provide artists with a custom mix of some or all of the audio sources.

Traditionally, monitors were custom designed loudspeakers placed on stage directed toward the performer.

This practice has its flaws in the sense that those around the monitor would be impacted by what came from the monitor.  

Monitors have the ability to provide anyone in the area with a ready reference of audible sources and are constantly evolving.

With the ever-growing demand for more audible sources, the invent of IEM systems (in-ear monitors) created a way to provide clear, concise and discrete monitoring while reducing the necessity for increases in stage volume.

This also afforded the audience a clear representation of the show with better control. Learn more about what Onstage Systems offers for sound and audio equipment rental and take a look at our AV Checklist.

Audio goes hand in hand with visual equipment, so don’t forget about screens and projectors! Learn more about how Onstage Systems can help you make your next concert sound perfect with our equipment rental service. Call us or fill out this form.