Tips on elektrons over a PA

SB-SIX · 2014-02-15T20:18:30.000Z

Today I was playing for the first time over a PA, after some DJ’s played some records. I noticed quite a difference in sound quality, especially the A4 sounded a bit bandwidth limited. The sounds with lots of fx did ok, but the more dry sounds were not so rich. Thing is, on my monitors at home it all sounds ok. So I was wondering if anyone had some tips on improving the sounds. Maybe place my RNC after the A4 outputs?

bluewolfse7en · 2014-02-15T21:53:20.000Z

There are various things going on here.
Firstly a DJ performing with legitimate media, (i.e. not crappy mp3s), will enjoy the benefits of mastered material to work with.
The individual parts that make up their track will also have gone through a multitude of processors.
This makes DJs tough acts to follow.

There are ways & means though.
Firstly gain structure is sooooo important. How did you connect to the PA? We’re you supplied with quality active Di Boxes like KT or BSS?
Second, I take it you ran into a console? Who was at the helm & how knowledgable were they? Bit of compression on the console & an attentive pair of ears will make all the difference!
Thirdly, when prepping material for live performance, check it thru a spectrum analyser one track, (instrument), at a time & try to find little pockets for each within the freq spectrum. Also take particular note of the bottom end as there’s a far a chance they’ll be more going on than your studio monitors can reveal! Massive bass bins in a club environment can provide quite a surprise lol

bluewolfse7en · 2014-02-15T21:56:13.000Z

Might be some useful info here too dude

http://www.elektronauts.com/t/metal-funk-electro-kit-construction-for-live-play/3573/30182

SB-SIX · 2014-02-15T22:59:43.000Z

Thanks guys. I had my a4 running thru the OT and then in a mixer. It was a very small venue so no big deal but i’m trying to get some experience with pa stuff. I thought the OT stood his ground pretty well though, it was mainly the a4 i was worried about.
About the spectrum analyser, what would you look for to identify problems on a PA?

bluewolfse7en · 2014-02-15T23:54:42.000Z

Look at pink noise & note the curve, that’s how the human ear works, the top end tails off.
Look at white noise & that’s all freq present at the same amplitude. You don’t want to replicate this as it’ll sound really harsh & b’cos of what I said about pink.
So when you’re playing a track thru the top should tail gently off. Play some commercial tracks thru, you’ll see.
Playing individual tracks thru will often show lots of sub activity, 25-60Hz or so but your studio monitors won’t go that low so you won’t hear it!
Unless you want the track in question to provide lots of sub it’s best to hi pass filter it out so when you go live it isn’t shaking the room to pieces!
Also, if you just send L & R from the OT to the PA & the in house engineer hears it, he’ll just high pass everything & your intended sub will be lost!