Music Tech for Live Sound Basics
Jared Davis, MM
Joey Berrios, MSB
PRESENTERS Jared Davis, MM
Jared E. Davis is a composer, guitarist, and teacher from Irvine, California. As a self-taught guitarist, hebegan performing and composing at the age of 16 with his own original band. After completinghisserviceintheU.S.Navy,hewasacceptedintoBerkleeCollegeofMusicin Boston, where he earned his BM in Guitar Performance in 2019. While studyingperformance, he quicklyrealizedthathistruepassionwascomposition,andin2021,hereceivedhisMMinMusic CompositionfromTexasStateUniversity.
Currently,JaredresidesinSanAntonio,Texas,whereheworksfortheUTSanAntonioSchool of Music and has authored three books: Chromatic Ladders, Music Theory for Fretboarders, and Atonal Improvisation and Jazz. He has premiered new works withSMART Orchestra, Unheard-of Ensemble, San Antonio Ambient Orchestra, and Bent Wrench Ensemble, and he regularlyperformsandlectureswithKevinMetzgeraspartoftheirduo,theAtonalGuitarDuo.
B.M.inPerformance,BerkleeCollegeofMusic,2019
M.M.inComposition,TexasStateUniversity,2021
PRESENTERS
Joey Berrios, MSB
Joey Berriosisavisualartist,musician,smallbusinessowner,andUnitedStatesAirForceretiree dedicated to serving the San Antonio community through music production and education. He holdsanAASinAviation,anAAinBehavioralHealthcareManagement,aBAinArtwithaminorin Music Marketing and an MS in Business from the University of Texas at San Antonio, blending creative vision and business expertise in his work. Joey is theco-ownerandoperatorofEar BenderStudiosLLC,locatedintheGovernmentHilldistrictofSanAntonio. He is alsothebassist for The Jed Craddock Band, Jacob Kyle and The Blues Bonnets and The Scotti Fraser Band (Houston,TX).JoeyiscurrentlytheMusicMarketingCoordinatorfortheUTSanAntonioSchoolof Music.
A.A.S.inAviation,CCAF/UniversityofNewMexico,2007
A.A.inBehavioralHealthcareManagement,CCAF/ParkUniversity,2009
B.A.inArt,MinorinMusicMarketing,UniversityofTexasatSanAntonio,2020
M.S.inBusiness,UniversityofTexasatSanAntonio,2021
Overview
• Cables, Mics, Connections & Speakers
• Microphones
• Mixers & Interfaces
• Speakers
• Best Practices
• Resources
Cables, Mics, Connections, & Speakers
Cables/Connections
XLR:usedformicrophonesandbalancedsignals(3pins)
Balanced signal – reducesnoiseandinterference.
Durable and secure – lockingconnectorspreventunplugging.
High-quality sound – maintainsaudioclarityoverdistance.
Supports phantom power – requiredforcondensermicrophones.
Versatile – workswithmics,mixers,speakers,andmore.
Long-distance capable – cleansignalevenover100+feet.
Cables/Connections
¼" TRS (Tip–Ring–Sleeve):
Balanced connection: resistsnoise,good forlongerruns(usedforline-level signals,headphones,someinstruments).
¼" TS (Tip–Sleeve): Unbalanced connection: morepronetonoise,bestfor shortruns(commonforguitarsandsome keyboards).
Quarter Inch
Cables/Connections
1/8" Aux
Small3.5mmstereocable(tip-ring-sleeve),commononphones/laptops. Deliversstereoaudio(L/Rchannels)inonecable. Easy,universal,andportable—quickwaytoconnectdevicestoasoundsystem.Not balanced:weakersignal,morenoise,andfragileforprouse.
Eighth Inch
Cables/Connections
Speakon
Professional cable foramplifiertospeakerconnections
Locking design: secure,won’tunplugaccidentally High power capacity: handlesmorewattagesafely Durable: builtforstage/touringuse
Standard: widelyusedinproaudiogear
Cables/Connections
Power (IEC)
Standard 3-prong power cord for pro audio gear. Works with mixers, amps, speakers, etc. Grounded for safety; use surge protection. Durable but don’t pull by the cord.
Microphones
Dynamic
Condenser
Durable&ruggedHandle loudsoundswell Nophantompowerneeded Bestforlivesoundvocals/amps/drums
ShureSM58
Sensitive&detailedWide frequencyresponseNeed phantompowerBestfor studiovocal&acoustic instruments
Microphone Grips
Good Bad / Punk & Metal Style
Mic Placements
Position placements for any direct sound source. Distance placements for any sound source.
Vocal Placements
Condenser Recording: with headphones & pop filter
Dynamic mic placements for live performance
Speaker/Amp Positions
Center Cone, Off Center, Half Cone, Edge of Cone
Dual Mic Technique: Dynamic + Condenser
Piano Placements
Single Mic Dual Mic Pairs
Mixers & Interfaces
Mixers & Interfaces
Analog Mixers:
Basic function: control center to route audio signals
Inputs:pluginmics/instruments(XLR,¼”)
Outputs:sendtospeakers,amps,headphones,recorders,otherdevices
Mixers & Interfaces
Hybrid Analog/Digital Mixers:
Same basic function but uses analog controls and/or digital only mixing via mobile devices (iPads/mobile devices)
Get to know a mixer
Input Gain vs. Volume
Gain changes input intensity from mic
Volume changes output intensity from speaker
EQ (Equalization)
EQ is how we can shape frequencies in a mix.
Usually there are 3 knobs on a mixer.
High, Med, Low
20-20,000 Hz Range
Mixers & Interfaces
Audio Interfaces
Converts analog audio signals into digital signals for processing via a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW).
*Some mixers are also audio interfaces
DAW (digital audio workstation)
FREE
Free with Apple products, Iphone, Ipad, Mac
Speakers
Speakers
Speakers transform digital signals from mixers or various sources and amplify them.
All speakers require an amplifier to transform signals - Speakers are basically categorized into Powered and Unpowered
Speakers
Passive Speakers: amplified by external amplifier
Pros of Unpowered Speakers
Flexible:youcanchoosetheamplifier youwantLightertocarrysinceno built-inamp
Easiertorepairifsomethingbreaks
Canconnectmultiplespeakerstooneamp
Cons of Unpowered Speakers
Alwaysneedanexternal amplifierMoregearand cablestomovearound
Speakers
Active Speakers: amplified by internal amplifier
Pros of Powered Speakers
Built-inamplifier,noextraampneeded
Simpletosetup,justpluginandplay
FewercablesandlessgeartocarryGood forsmallgigsorquicksetups
Cons of Powered Speakers
Heaviersincetheampisinsidethespeaker
Iftheampbreaks,thewholespeakermaybeunusable
Moreexpensivethanunpoweredspeakers
Hardertoconnectmultiplespeakersfromonesource
Active Set Up Speakers
Best Practices
Setlevelsslowlytoavoidsuddenloudpops.
• Poweronequipmentinorderofsignalflow;
◦ Instrument/source--Mixer--Amplifier/Speakers
• Poweroffequipmentinorderofsignalflow
◦ Speakers/Amplifiers--Mixer--Instrument/Source
• Wrapcablesproperly(over-under)toavoidtangles.
• Keepdrinksandfoodawayfromequipment.
Cupmicrophoneswhenusing.
• Yankcablesfromgearorpullbythecord.
• Don’tstackheavyitemsonspeakersormixers.
• Don’tpointmicsatspeakers(causesfeedback).
Home Recording Hardware Needed:
-Speakers/Monitors
-Laptop/CPU -Interface -Microphone -Midi Keyboard
+ Software: DAW
Resources
Audio Tech Resources.zip (OneDrive Folder created by Jared Davis with supplemental and further AV education) https://mediacollege.com/ (free, online resource to dive deeper) https://www.soundgym.co/ (a free and fun way to develop ear training)
Shure Microphone Placement Techniques