Larger Performances
Although the example shown in the ‘Mixing Live’ diagram shown at the beginning of this section is of a small band, the principles are the same no matter the size of the live performance or venue. However, for larger PAs additional speakers, monitors, effects and processors may be required as well as slightly different positioning for each of these pieces of equipment. These additional requirements are outlined below:
Medium Sized Venues
The console used will require more input channels. For example it is likely you will want to mic up all of the drums, and there are also likely to be more instruments, backing singers and sound sources in general.
More monitor sends will also be required - a single monitor will not be enough for larger bands. The bass and drums will require a monitor between them. The vocalists will want a monitor each so they can hear themselves above the band.
More speaker outputs may be needed in larger venues so that all the audience can be reached, without there being “holes” in the amplified audio signal. It may be necessary to record the event. This will require additional level controlled stereo outputs or direct outs if a multitrack is being used.
NB: For simplicity, these diagrams do NOT show any outboard equipment.
Large Sized Venues
Large venues will require a separate “Front of House” (FOH) console for the audience mix and a Monitor console for the band, as with a larger stage area each band member will require at least one monitor wedge. The auxiliary send system of the FOH console will not be able to cope with these demands alone as it will have to deal with several effects units.
The FOH console will have a large number of mic/line inputs, plus a large number of matrix outputs so that a complex range of speaker clusters can be placed around the auditorium.
Recording Live
In some situations, you may want to record a performance. Depending on the situation, the feed for recording may come from the FOH mixer, microphone splitter boxes, or your own microphones which have been set up alongside those of the band.
The diagram below shows a typical example of the sound sources being split between FOH and Recording. The recording console operates independently from the FOH mixer.
NB: When using Folio SX it will be necessary to re-patch for multitrack playback.
NB: Subgroups can be used for submixing many inputs (e.g. drums) to a multitrack input. This is useful when tape track availability is limited.