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Live music puts different demands on a PA system than a speech or presentation.
The sound system has to reproduce vocals and instruments clearly, handle changes in volume and provide enough output for the audience without becoming harsh or distorted.
The requirements also vary enormously between performers.
A solo acoustic musician playing to a small audience has very different needs from a five-piece band performing to several hundred people.
Audio Hire uses Electro-Voice powered speakers for a range of live music applications in Adelaide, from compact setups through to larger systems incorporating dedicated subwoofers.
The right setup depends on the performers, venue, audience and type of music.
How many speakers does a live band need?
For many small live performances, a pair of full-range speakers is a sensible starting point.
The speakers are positioned on either side of the performance area and provide the main sound for the audience.
A pair of Electro-Voice EKX-15P speakers, for example, can provide substantial output for a wide range of small and medium-sized performances.
Audio Hire’s 2 × 1500 Watt 15” Speaker Package includes two EKX-15P powered speakers, speaker stands and speaker cables.
For a small band, acoustic group or solo performer, this type of system can provide an effective main PA without requiring a large amount of equipment.
What does the PA actually need to reproduce?
The answer depends on the performers.
A solo singer with an acoustic guitar may only need two inputs: one for the vocal microphone and one for the guitar.
A band might need microphones for vocals, kick drum, snare, toms, overheads and amplifiers, along with inputs for keyboards, playback and other instruments.
That means the mixer and input requirements can become just as important as the main speakers.
The PA needs to be considered as a complete system rather than simply a pair of cabinets.
Full-range speakers for live music
Full-range powered speakers are designed to reproduce a broad range of frequencies from a single cabinet.
This makes them particularly useful for smaller live performances.
A pair of full-range speakers can reproduce vocals, guitars, keyboards and other instruments while also providing useful low-frequency output.
For many acoustic performances and smaller bands, this can be all that is required.
The advantage is simplicity.
There are fewer components to transport, fewer connections to make and less equipment to position.
When do live bands need subwoofers?
Subwoofers become increasingly useful as the music and venue get larger.
A live band with a kick drum and bass guitar can put considerably more demand on the low-frequency section of a PA than a solo acoustic performer.
Dedicated subwoofers take responsibility for the lowest frequencies, allowing the main speakers to concentrate on the rest of the musical spectrum.
This can produce greater low-frequency output and additional headroom for the overall system.
For larger live performances, this can make a significant difference.
Audio Hire’s larger EV speaker and subwoofer system combines two full-range speakers with two 18-inch subwoofers.
Do you always need subwoofers for a band?
No.
A subwoofer isn’t automatically necessary just because a band is playing.
The size of the performance, musical style, venue and required volume all matter.
A folk duo in a small venue may sound excellent through a pair of full-range speakers.
A rock band playing outdoors to a large crowd is a completely different proposition.
If the music relies heavily on kick drum, bass guitar or electronic low frequencies, subwoofers become more useful.
If the performance is predominantly vocals and acoustic instruments, the additional low-frequency system may not be necessary.
The importance of vocals
For many live performances, vocals are the most important thing the audience needs to hear.
A powerful PA isn’t useful if the singer disappears into the mix.
Speaker selection, microphone choice, mixer settings and system levels all contribute to vocal clarity.
The Shure SM58 is a particularly common choice for live vocals.
Audio Hire’s Shure SM58 is available for hire and can also be used for announcements and speeches.
If you’re putting together a complete live performance system, Microphone Hire Adelaide provides additional options.
Wired or wireless microphones?
For most stage vocals, a wired microphone is perfectly practical.
The performer is generally staying within a defined area, so there may be little benefit in adding a wireless link.
Wireless microphones become more useful when the performer or presenter needs to move around freely.
For a band, wired microphones can also simplify the setup and avoid the need to manage wireless frequencies and batteries.
The best choice depends on the performance rather than whether wireless equipment sounds more sophisticated.
Speaker placement for live music
Main speakers should generally be positioned in front of the performers and audience.
This is important because microphones pick up sound from the environment around them.
If the main speakers are positioned behind the performers, the microphones can pick up the amplified sound and feed it back through the system.
That can create feedback.
Putting the speakers in front of the microphones helps reduce this risk.
Raising the speakers on stands also helps the sound travel across the audience rather than being blocked by people near the front.
Our guide to setting up Electro-Voice speakers covers the practical setup in more detail.
What about stage monitors?
Stage monitoring is separate from the main PA.
The audience needs to hear the performance through the main speakers, but performers may need to hear vocals, instruments or other parts of the mix on stage.
For a very small acoustic performance, performers may be able to hear themselves naturally from the main PA.
As the stage and venue become larger, dedicated monitoring can become more important.
The exact monitoring requirements depend on the performers and their setup.
If you’re planning a full live production, it’s worth considering monitoring at the same time as the main PA.
How big should the speakers be?
The size of the speaker isn’t the only factor, but it can be useful when selecting a live music system.
A 12-inch full-range speaker can be an excellent option for smaller performances and applications where portability matters.
A 15-inch speaker can provide additional low-frequency capability and output.
Audio Hire’s 12-inch versus 15-inch speaker guide explains the practical differences.
For larger performances, the choice may instead be between a larger full-range system and a main-and-subwoofer configuration.
How loud does the PA need to be?
There isn’t a simple audience-number formula.
A 100-person acoustic performance in a small room may require a relatively modest PA.
A 100-person outdoor rock performance may require considerably more output.
The venue, audience layout, ambient noise and style of music all influence the required system.
It’s better to think about the listening environment and desired level than to start with a rule such as “one watt per person.”
Outdoor live music
Outdoor performances can require considerably more planning.
There are fewer walls and surfaces reflecting sound, so the PA has to project sound into the audience without relying on the room to help.
The physical distance between the speakers and the back of the audience can become significant.
Wind, background noise and the size of the performance area also matter.
A system that sounds powerful in a small indoor room may not provide the same experience when asked to cover a large outdoor audience.
Indoor venues
Indoor venues bring their own challenges.
A highly reflective room can make the sound feel loud while actually making vocals less intelligible.
Large hard surfaces can produce reflections that blur the sound.
In a smaller room, excessive low-frequency output can also become problematic.
This is another reason why simply hiring the largest system isn’t necessarily the best approach.
The PA needs to work with the room rather than fighting it.
Live music and speaker wattage
It’s easy to compare PA systems by their advertised wattage.
But wattage doesn’t tell you how a speaker will perform on stage by itself.
Maximum SPL, driver design, amplifier performance, frequency response and coverage all matter.
A well-designed loudspeaker can produce excellent results without having the largest wattage figure on the specification sheet.
Our speaker wattage guide explains why these numbers need to be treated with some caution.
What about a DJ after the band?
This is common at weddings, festivals and private events.
If the same PA will be used for a live band and then a DJ, it’s worth considering the requirements of both.
The band may need several microphones and inputs.
The DJ may place greater demands on the low-frequency section of the system.
A system that can comfortably handle both uses can be more practical than hiring separate equipment for each part of the night.
This is one situation where a pair of full-range speakers may be suitable for a smaller event, while a larger system with dedicated subwoofers may make more sense for a substantial dance floor.
What should a band provide?
Before hiring a PA, establish exactly what the performers are bringing.
A band may have its own microphones, mixer, monitor speakers or backline.
Another band may expect the venue or event organiser to provide the complete PA.
Don’t assume that “the band has a PA” means they have everything required for the audience.
Find out what equipment they are supplying and what remains to be provided.
This can prevent duplicated equipment or, worse, missing equipment on the day.
What should you tell Audio Hire?
If you’re arranging sound for live music, the more information you can provide, the better.
Tell us what type of performers are involved, how many people are in the band, where the event is being held, approximately how many people will attend and whether the event is indoors or outdoors.
It’s also useful to know whether the performers are bringing their own mixer, microphones and monitors.
If there will be a DJ afterwards, mention that too.
That information helps determine whether a pair of full-range EV speakers is appropriate or whether a larger system with subwoofers would be more suitable.
Don’t hire more equipment than the performance needs
A professional-looking stage can quickly turn into a lot of unnecessary equipment.
If a solo acoustic performer only needs two inputs and a pair of speakers, there is little benefit in setting up a large production system.
On the other hand, undersizing the PA for a full band can leave the system struggling when the performance gets underway.
The objective is to find the point where the system has enough capability without adding equipment that doesn’t contribute to the result.
Electro-Voice speakers for live music in Adelaide
Electro-Voice offers a flexible range of powered loudspeakers that can suit everything from small acoustic performances through to larger live music events.
For smaller performances, a pair of full-range speakers can provide a straightforward and effective PA.
As the performance grows, dedicated subwoofers and additional equipment may become appropriate.
The right system depends on the musicians, venue and audience rather than a simple speaker-count formula.
If you’re organising live music in Adelaide, contact Audio Hire with the details of the event and we’ll help you work out a suitable system.
You can also browse Speaker Hire Adelaide to see the current equipment available for hire.