Sound Check Methods

[alexperrins]

As I’m pretty new to mobile DJing and we are sort of on the subject of sound, could somebody give me a few steps on sound checking and what else I might want to think about when setting up my rig before a gig?

Many thanks
Alex

[Ricesnaps]

Here's how I do it, but it's only my method.

Pick a track you know very very well and stick to it. Try to get a track that gives you a good indication of the whole range. Personally I tend to use two, start off with Frankie Goes to Holliwood - Relax, which has a fantastic bass line and some great mid range parts, then maybe on to something like Jack Johnson to pick out the subtle vocal and higher end frequencies.

I have a roadie, so he starys at the mixer and I go down to the dance floor and signal how I want the eq changed until I'm happy. We generally set and "empty" level for volume and walk the room to make sure it is a comfortable level for all the guests and not too loud in certain place.

That's about it!

[lightspeed]

Yep, pretty much the same here too. Make sure you drop the mid substantially on the mic or it oculd end up sounding muddy. I often get my roadie to stand out front to check if he can hear what i'm saying through the mic and to see if the volume is comfortable.

Plus: Remember that the music often sounds a lot more bassy and obviously quieter from behind the speakers than it does in-front.

- Chris

[DMX Will]

I was looking at making my own track. A bit like the creative test mp3s "This is the right channel"; "This is the left channel" etc, including some clips of songs.

[CRAZY K]

And then-----------------

The Hall fills up with people and all the acoustics are totally different :mad:

Dont do final sound test until your venue is full of people.


CRAZY K

[Corabar Steve]

Here's how I do it, but it's only my method.

Pick a track you know very very well and stick to it. Try to get a track that gives you a good indication of the whole range. Personally I tend to use two, start off with Frankie Goes to Holliwood - Relax, which has a fantastic bass line and some great mid range parts, then maybe on to something like Jack Johnson to pick out the subtle vocal and higher end frequencies.

I have a roadie, so he starys at the mixer and I go down to the dance floor and signal how I want the eq changed until I'm happy. We generally set and "empty" level for volume and walk the room to make sure it is a comfortable level for all the guests and not too loud in certain place.

That's about it!
The same but without a roadie, & with Steely Dan - "Can't buy a thrill" album

[lightspeed]

And then-----------------

The Hall fills up with people and all the acoustics are totally different :mad:

Dont do final sound test until your venue is full of people.


CRAZY K

Well the first one with the empty hall is just to get a basic idea of the sound. When the room is full i quite regularly go out front and have a listen to check how it sounds. :teeth:

[alexperrins]

Thanks for your info guys! Will take everything on board?