The SOS Guide to Live Sound: Optimising Your Band's Live-Performance Audio (Sound On Sound Presents...)

This is a very basic overview of what to expect as a freelance audio guy in the underground industry. As an experienced audio engineer (10 years of experience), I couldn't find many things in this book that really called for my attention, althought there was a couple of tips that are worth the reading. This book is oriented to people that want to know more about basic live sound equipment and audio practices, specially musicians who play in bars and small venues.

This is the textbook used in my Music Theory class. It was 20% less expensive than at the campus bookstore and was exactly as described. Arrived on time. Happy with my experience.

This is a really nice book for those interested in learning live audio mixing. If you are experienced this book won't be anything new to you but will serve as a refresher. Would love more chapters on outboard and processing effects, but overall a good read.

Pretty good book

A very helpful book. If you're interested in learning about running live sound, then you should start with this text.

A lot of us that have been around bar bands and helped them set up or have home studios sort of take for granted the knowledge we have gained over the years. As you read this book you will probably think to yourself that you already know a lot of it. But for newbies to sound engineering or home recording this is actually a pretty good book.I've seen college textbooks that didn't have nearly as much useful information as this book has.If you know somebody studying broadcast engineering or maybe going to a recording class this could be a handy book to sort of slip to them and advise them to maybe get a few pointers that their college professors don't really know about. But it's also good for a garage band trying to find their sound. You want to be distinctive so that when you record your future hit and hear it on the radio, you can look back to your early days with fondness.You probably already know your equipment and its quirks. However there might be some things you haven't gotten exactly right.A lot of time and experimentation can probably be saved if you read this book.Even roadies that load in the equipment off of the truck can benefit from knowing how to set it up to achieve optimal results.

Any text that begins with the word "whilst" can spark a little concern (viii). Nonetheless, after this minor "gaff," the text provides an abundance of helpful information.I like that the text is quick to point out that current society has little tolerance for sloppy or even mediocre sound at live shows. This translates to you bringing every tool, every technique, and absolute perfection ... to every single show. All it takes is one less-than-stellar show for your profits to suffer. So, read this text and take its advice to heart.While this text examines large issues it also addresses smaller ones (which are sometimes the most overlooked). For instance, I really appreciate how the text even breaks down common errors. For instance, one frequently sees rap and hip-hop artists improperly holding the microphone ... I suppose, in an attempt to look "cool." While it is incredibly difficult to convince some artists not to touch the microphone basket, it might be a fine idea to try to break-down how this improper technique actually impacts sound-quality. I might even keep this text on-hand to illustrate the point. (I've worked with my fair-share of misinformed egomaniacs, sometimes it can help to have evidence when attempting to offer constructive criticism).As is expected with Focal Press texts, the photos and illustrations are absolutely clear and needed (no filler here). And, while some publishers "cut-corners" by publishing in gray-scale, Focus Press has never compromised quality for profits. I almost exclusively use Focal Press texts in all of my classes ... and, I would be proud to use this one (except for the fact that I am a professor of film and probably with not be focusing exclusively on this type of sound engineering at any point in the future)! Therefore, if you are a professor seeking an outstanding text, this might be an exact match.

Mixing sound looks easy- to those who have never tried it. You just get up there and twist knobs until everything sounds good, right? Anyone who has spent time listening to bands in clubs and bars knows that a lot of bands and venues take this attitude. But good sound requires a lot of careful preparation and a knowledge of how the various components in a sound system work together. Paul White has presented in this book a very good manual for bands and beginning audio engineers, starting with the basics of acoustics and how sound is reproduced. The presentation is very clear, and presents the information in a practical rather than theoretical manner, with plenty of examples from White's personal experiences.What follows is an exhaustive look at the components used in sound reinforcement, starting with transducers (speakers and microphones) and working through all the components of the sound chain- cables, amplifiers, equalizers, mixers, sound processors- with a careful discussion of the kinds of devices, the features, and how best to use them. Sometimes confusing topics, like ground lops, are explained clearly- along with solutions for dealing with them. There a re a few points where North American readers may be confused by the terminology- "stage box" rather than "cable snake" and RCD (Residual Current Device) rather than GCFI (Ground Fault Current Interrupter) - but for the most part the terminology is pretty much useful, and White does discuss some differences between British and North American terminology.While this book will not turn the reader into a skilled sound mixer, it is nonetheless required reading for anyone who does want to learn to mix. Highly recommended.

A very practical, beginners guide to mixing live sound for small bands. The book contains plenty of illustrations and figures, and the technical aspects are well explained.

Easy to read, very useful. Covers all aspects of planning and managing sound at your gigs.

Should have bought this year's ago

Good read but half the pages in my book where stained/ripped/glued together.

good, still reading it