Every concert is a hit if the sound quality is top-notch, especially if it is an outdoor concert with open skies and a lot of energy. The major concern about outdoor concerts is that it's not easy to control the acoustics, as there might be various obstacles, with weather conditions being the biggest example.
Famous bands like Coldplay and Dream Theatre set up high-end music systems for enhanced sound quality to minimise distortions, glitches and outdoor noises from disturbing their shows. It's very necessary to check if the sound quality is great before a concert to ensure that it's a hit for the audience. This blog will guide you and give you tips on how to enhance the audio quality for your next concert.
Sound quality check: why is it necessary?
Outdoor concerts mean that there would be no walls, no ceilings, but just a ground and a stage for you to perform, which can cause major sound dispersion if it's not taken care of. Let's talk about the different difficulties you face while performing outdoors:
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Harsh weather conditions: the weather can change at any point in time. Without a proper sound check and a sound system, the sound will start cracking in the harsh weather conditions
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Maximum coverage and the distance: open-air concerts have larger audiences compared to indoor concerts, so better coverage is required so that the sound reaches even a great distance. For this, you will need speakers with higher sensitivity and power, to make sure the concert is enjoyed by everybody.
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Major interference of outdoor noises: the biggest drawback while performing outside is that your show is interrupted by the loud traffic noises, other events happening around you, and even birds chirping or the trees rustling. This is why proper voice cancellation is required.
Plan it out: improve the sound quality in your outdoor concert
Make the right investment
This is the first important step that can help you set up a perfect sound system. Always go for a high-quality speaker for outdoor performances. Speakers with high power and sensitivity can sound louder than the low-sensitivity ones.
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Get subwoofers for the lower end effect. Bass frequencies are almost zero in outdoor areas. When you add a subwoofer, it creates a breath depth in the sound.
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You can also get delay towers if the venue is too huge. It’s usually placed at the intervals to make sure that all the people, even the ones in the back, can hear the proper sound without any echo or glitches.
Place your speaker carefully
The placement of your speaker matters a lot, and it can eventually make your concert a hit or even a flop. Even if you play your equipment perfectly, it might sound imperfect if the speaker is not set properly. For proper and even distribution of sound, you can
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Raise the line arrays, which take the sound farther and allow everyone to hear it clearly and prominently, reducing obstructions.
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You can adjust the angle of the speaker to enhance the quality distribution of the sound throughout the room.
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Make sure that the speakers are placed evenly apart from each other, to ensure that the sound is balanced and not glitching for the people standing away.
The use of stands
Speaker stands can be a great saviour for you. It will prevent vibrations on the ground, which can again cause distortions, which is meant to ruin the quality of the audio.
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You can adjust these stands and put them at the ear level, as most of these tools come with height-adjustability features.
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There are two choices for you- a tripod speaker stand and a round base one. Mostly for outdoor concerts, people choose the round base once because of its remarkable stability, but the tripod one is more portable.
Conclusion
When you are hosting an outdoor concert, you need to be ready for the uncertain challenges that may come to your way. It can suddenly start breezing, or the traffic might go crazy. But if you have a proper sound system with noise-cancelling features, you are good to go.
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