Live Sound

2 Ohms; minimum load 4Ω; 8-kOhm; 16Ω…when you enter the world of audio amplification, there’s no way around terms like these. They’re often found on the backs of speakers, guitar cabinets and amplifiers, so in this blog, I’ll try to clear up the role of impedance (resistance) and explain what the numbers that go with it actually mean.

Gaffer tape or duct tape? Line up a few rolls of each and you won’t be able to tell the difference but as soon as you get them in your hands, you’ll immediately know which is which. This isn’t much of a surprise since they are in fact completely different things. So, while duct tape is known for being able to fix any of the world’s problems, why is it that lighting and sound technicians turn to gaffer tape instead? We explain all in this little slip of a blog!

Guest-blogger Niels is here to tell you why in-ear monitoring (IEM) isn’t only great for gigs, but rehearsals! Together with the other six members of his band, Niels decided to get in-ear monitors for live performances, but they soon found out that there are also various benefits to using the system in their rehearsal space: much less noise and the ability to actually hear what you’re working on.

When you want to set up a small army of PA speakers in multiple rooms throughout a department store, shopping centre, restaurant, school or business, a 100-Volt system is a fitting solution. Since multiple speakers are connected to the same cable in parallel, it’s perfect for covering long distances combined with relatively low-powered speakers. As such, 100V systems are also used at sporting events, and in this blog, Bax Music product specialist, Bob is here to explain the basics and what to look out for when buying and setting up a 100V system.

So, you’ve bought a new microphone only to find out that it won’t work unless you supply it with phantom power. Condenser microphones in particular often require this. Fortunately, most mixers, audio interfaces and recorders have a built-in phantom power supply, the control for which is indicated by ‘Phantom’, ‘P48’ or ‘48V’. In this blog, I’ll tell you what to look out for when you want to use phantom power.

Whether you’re browsing the internet for a vocal microphone for the stage or a condenser for your studio, it won’t be long before you’ll run into the term ‘pickup pattern’, also referred to as ‘polar pattern’. You’re also likely to bump into terms like ‘cardioid’ or ‘omnidirectional’. In this blog, I’ll present you with the pickup pattern basics, include a few field examples, and tell you what you need to know when you’re looking to, ahem, pick up a new microphone.

Your local drive-in DJ, the next-door neighbour or even your best friend bragging about their new sound system might sound familiar to you. There are plenty of times when I’ve heard them say: “My new speakers are off the charts man, they’ve got 1,500 Watts of power!” This goes to show that a lot of people assume that more power means more volume, but really, it’s not that simple.

Sometimes, something happens that means you can’t play any shows for a little while. This not only makes the life of a musician or band a little bit boring, it also messes with that delicate relationship you’ve built with your devoted fans. To keep the love alive, you could easily live-stream a gig from the comfort of your living room or rehearsal space and you can even do it with great sound quality!

Singers forgetting the next lyric, drummers who struggle to stay in time, guitarists who keep playing that same bum note and buzzing audio gear … For all musicians, sound technicians and producers, these problems might be all too familiar.

So, you want to amplify your voice, but all you’ve got is a microphone, a cable and a speaker. Can it be done, you ask? While it certainly can, you’re going to need a suitable microphone and speaker, although some cases leave a little room for a creative solution. As always, read on to learn more!

This blog deals with one of the most frequently asked questions the specialists at Bax Music receive: What exactly is the difference between active and passive speakers? And more importantly, what should I look for when I want to pick up either of them?

While setting up a bunch of audio gear for a venue or studio, you’re going to come across balanced and unbalanced cables. But, what exactly is the difference between these so-called symmetrical and a-symmetrical connections? What kind of plugs do you need to use and are balanced cables pretty much the same as stereo-cables? All of these nagging questions shall be answered in the following blog.