How to EQ Live Sound Systems Tricks - Updated Version

in 2010 I released this video where I describe a method for EQing live reinforcement sound systems. The method is based on 3 EQs to optimize console recording, show to show consistency and logical organization to minimize redundant EQing.

I have found and added some additional footage discussing monitor system EQ and EQ cuts in general as well as cleaned up the audio and video.

An EQ method for achieving consistent sound. What do you EQ with the channel strips? What do you EQ with the system graphic EQ? What do you EQ with the system processor?

00:00 Intro
01:20 Where to EQ what
01:43 The channel EQ mic
02:27 System processor EQ
03:00 System processor/house EQ
03:14 Sonic Consistency
03:49 Recording outputs
04:35 Headphone reference point
06:00 System EQ
07:01 Comparative reference points
08:23 Channel EQs consistency and triangulation of sound
09:32 No system processer
10:12 Stage monitor EQ
11:12 Over EQ
12:37 Which EQ for what in monitors
14:10 Outro

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[shiproop]

Dave can’t thank you enough, great job to help people like me who can’t afford a sound engineering course

[SoCalVipers]

I don’t do sound in arenas or giant festivals. I only do a tiny little things. But this video is still incredibly helpful even for my small little shows. It completely changed the way I think and mix. Using this technique makes mixing much easier and a lot more fun.

[richreitz]

Thanks for the tips Dave! Been working in a venue 6 1/2 years now, and your explanation of eq’ing the system is the best I’ve heard. Appreciate it brother.

[soundguymoses]

5-6 minutes in and I have nodded my head "yes" to every point you've made, so far.
I'll take that as a good sign that I'm thinking of this all the right way!
Crazy thing, because I learned everything on the job with no prior education, and it just tends to stay in my head!

[curtisjudd]

Helpful as always - logical, practical approach. Thanks Dave.

[NealMiskinMusic]

Yeah, this is how I operate and have for years. Very well explained, channel EQ for channel specific issues, system EQ for system specific issues. I don't know why so many people don't intuitively arrive at this way of thinking about it, but if I had a dime for every time I've seen a flat system EQ and 100hz set to -6dB on every single channel...

[Ironhead]

The teachings of Master RAT!! Thank You for you endless wealth of wisdom Master

[tag]

Thanks for this "basics" video. This "chain" approach to good sound makes perfect sense - I have always been interested in this process but I have never run into a situation where anyone wanted any help or wanted to show me their process. I'm not upset about it, and not interested enough to actively pursue it - I get it. Thought you might find this little story humorous.

I'll never forget this example, I almost laughed out loud when it happened. Here's the setup ;

Local, small, very informal acoustic jam session in a a good sized room (an old historical USO performance hall)
- very small, simple sound board, no monitors, 3 mics at most, 2 powered PA speakers
- very few volunteers to help and half of them were performing half the time - the biggest effort was just changing mics
- typically no more than 15 people in the audience (some of them were going to be participants) - I was somewhat familiar with the organizers
- I know I could have been of help - asked the two guys "running the show" if they would like some help while they were performing wait for it "we need someone to sell soda and popcorn in the lobby" #@*?!. They were serious.

I truly understand all of the "members of the band" jokes.

[sea-ferring]

Thank you Dave so much for sharing your knowledge and experience. Although courses and qualifications exist for audio engineering, this has always been an industry where experience is king. Most people have to apprentice in a studio or in live sound for years to learn these skills. You and many others sharing their experience online is so valuable for those of us who either volunteer or do this kind of work on the side. Thank you so much!

[okaudiopro]

I watched the old version of this video years ago... thanks for sharing Mr. Rat.

[WorshipShed]

I remember watching this back then. Still relevant today!

[raylanjohnson]

Hope some day I will get the opportunity to work with this legend...my hero in this industry

[DanaTucker]

I truly can't thank you enough! Your style of training/explaining is incredible. The "Rat" folder is where I spend most of my time on YT. Thanks again Brother!

[quantumonions]

Really learning a lot from these videos (thanks Dave for your generosity!) Regarding wedges (and this is obvious but helps to keep in the back of one's head as something to check...) it's important to know the polar pattern of the mics and position the wedges accordingly. I've made the mistake of placing wedges directly behind Beta SM58As when they should be 120 degress off-axis for maximum rejection, then sheepishly crawling in front of the performer to move it after they indicate they need more level and there's no way that's happening without me castigating myself in front of the sound gods (and audience) to move the darned thing. Also, some stages (small venues especially) are literally hollow plywood boxes themselves and are a major source of low end feedback (wedge -> floor -> mic -> wedge). In these instances, placing packing blankets (or whatever is handy) under the mic stand(s) and moving the wedges off the front of the stage (stealing some dance floor) or placing them on blankets too, can make a world of difference.

[jimpemberton]

Good thinking here. I do have an exception to this I wrestle with all the time. I work a medium sized venue that isn't acoustically sound. It's been engineered with acoustical treatment and fills throughout the venue to try to even the sound out and it's well-tuned. The issue is that the place can't handle a lot of sound pressure in the room without feedback from the mains and because of the size and shape of the stage it differs depending on the location of the individual microphone. Additionally I have choirs or orchestral sections whose microphones function as more of an array. I make it work, but it's less than ideal and I typically have to use channel EQs to mitigate feedback.

[doougle]

It's important to have the speaker system set up right before you do anything else. These days, as you mention, the speaker manufacturer has usually already done this for you via a system processor. As I'm sure you recall, in the older days your speaker system processor was just a crossover. I've seen so many system EQs where everything between 300 and 2k are down 10db. This is a classic sign that the crossover could have been set better in the first place.

[samwheelock]

Always the pro with reliable advice. Thanks for sharing what you know and doing it well.

[BryceAndEveeNZ]

I wish I had access to this level of knowledge when I was doing sound for church. tbh I still want to get into the live sound engineer game again sometime

[pieronexus]

I cannot thank you enough for this top notch material everywhere on your channel, hats off!!

[mojoemurphy]

I came here looking for tips on eqing my bands little bar/club PA. Feel like I've learned a lot more than I can use with my system