Less From Two Than One?
Save these settings as a preset in your DSP of choice and repeat the process for each type of monitor wedge in your inventory as well as side fills and drum monitor rigs. You can also use these settings as a basis for multiple wedge setups.

But remember that when you use multiple cabinets of any sort, comb filtering will occur because of the time arrival differences. These peaks and notches are non-minimum phase. That means that they are not “EQ-able”. (Is that a word? It is now!)

Because of this, sometimes it’s possible to get less output with two wedges than with one.

But riders being what they are, go ahead and do a preset for dual wedge setups. The crossover and time alignment settings will remain the same, but you may get some summing in the low frequencies.

Use the RTA to check the frequency response because a TEF sweep will be too frightening to look at. If you need a preset for absolute maximum output with a particular vocal mic, try putting it on a stand exactly as if you were setting up for a show. Plug the mic into the test microphone input on the test rig.

The response will be a combination of the speaker under test and the off axis response of the microphone. EQ the response to be as flat as possible. It may not sound pretty, but it will get loud. (At least until the singer cups the microphone, sealing off the back of the cartridge, turning it into an omni).

Voila! A look at the final measurement result, courtesy of TEF. (click to enlarge)

You may also want to do presets for full range response or one with a higher frequency on the low-cut filter for vocal only. Sometimes it is beneficial to attenuate the lows for an acoustic set to avoid exciting acoustic guitars or pianos. Save a preset and switch back and forth at the appropriate times.

With the current crop of DSP devices, it’s not uncommon to find configurations like four input, eight output that work perfectly for either four two-way mixes or two three-way side fills and a cue wedge. Look for routing flexibility and the ability to store lots of presets.

But most of all, listen to the units. Audio quality varies as much with digital equipment as with analog.

It’s too easy to buy this type of device based on a laundry list of features and functions when the most important thing is great sound.

Bruce Main has been a systems engineer and FOH mixer on and off for more than 30 years. He has also built, owned and operated recording studios and designed and installed sound systems.

More articles on PSW by Bruce Main
Expanding To Provide A/V Installation Services? Important Factors To Keep In Mind
What’s The Delay? The Effects Of Weather Conditions On Sound
When Audio Worlds Collide: Sharing Technology Means More To Share

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