Audio Basics

Issued by Tech 25

Earn this Badge to get the basics of audio engineering for live sound. You will come away with both technical skills and background knowledge of how to operate the PA equipment we use in event production. You'll practice setting up and operating a small show using a pair of speakers, analog mixing board, microphones, DI's, stage monitors, and 2-track playback. This includes teamwork and communication with performers to run a soundcheck and operate an event smoothly.

Type Experience
Level Foundational
Cost Paid

Skills

Earning Criteria

Understand fundamental audio concepts and vocabulary: Decibels, Frequency, Hertz, Range of human hearing. Dynamics. Mono / Stereo sound. Phase. Distortion and Clipping. Gain. Signal Flow. Gain Staging.
Gain Staging: demonstrate an understanding of Gain, Distortion and Feedback by connecting an SM58 microphone to a powered speaker and doing sound reinforcement without feedback.
Perform basic setup of a small live sound system consisting of two powered speakers on stands, an 8-channel analog mixing board, a microphone on a stand, and a laptop with a stereo output into a DI box. Create a mix using music from the laptop and vocals on the mic. Include Aux sends to FX and Monitors.
Comprehend basic signal processing. Apply EQ to a microphone to shape the tone for spoken and sung vocals. Include the HPF switch and any built-in compression tools. Include built-in FX from the mixing board such as Reverb and/or Delay.
Demonstrate basic signal flow and gain staging on analog mixers. Reset a channel strip to default settings. Be able to explain the signal flow through all controls. Do this for microphone and stereo Line inputs. Be able to trace the path of a sound from input to output including Bus Assignments and Aux Sends. Troubleshoot common sound issues related to Mute switches, PFL / Solo switches, etc.
Monitor Mix and Talkback: setup one stage monitor and make a monitor mix that includes vocals, music from the stereo source, and a talkback mic. Demonstrate the ability to choose talkback through the mains AND/OR monitors. Show an understanding of when those two situations come up in a performance.
Identify common microphones, DI boxes, and cable types. Recognize the parts of a PA system and describe their functions.
Practice proper cable management including safe foot traffic areas, cable ramps, tidy cable runs, correct technique for wrapping / rolling cables.
Leadership: setup a small PA and welcome a performer to the stage. Lead them through a soundcheck to get them ready to perform. Include verbal instructions on the talkback mic, use of their Name, and giving them specific deadlines for the show start.
Learn basic industry roles such as A1, A2, assistant, FOH, monitor engineer, booking agent, etc. Understand career professionalism and how that relates to safety for the crew and audience.