Product Description

From faders to frequencies, microphones to mixing, pink noise to polarity, this is the all-inclusive manual for creating the finest sound for live performances. It applies to the entire range of stage performers and their equipment - solo acoustic guitar and vocal, full-scale band requiring complex amplification, or electronica DJ working multiple turntables. Every aspect of live sound is covered, including: analyzing venue needs, acquiring and managing the ideal sound system, setting up and testing equipment, understanding and applying the theories of acoustics, maintenance, trouble-shooting, and much more. Also features a 15,000-word technical glossary.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #223972 in Books
• Published on: 2002-01-09
• Released on: 2002-06-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780879306991
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

About the Author
Ben Duncan is internationally renowned for his extensive work in all spheres of high quality sound production, including numerous concert-sound equipment designs, patentable inventions, and prolific writing - more than 7,000 articles, reviews, and papers. Duncan is also author of High Performance Audio Power Amplifiers for Music Performance and Reproduction.

Customer Reviews

Useless
250 8x11 pages without a single picture, drawing, image, graphic, table, graph or equation. Zero. Not one.

The section on calculating the net impedance of speakers without an equation is hilarious: "This means turning each number on its head, then adding the numbers in this form, then changing the resulting number back to ordinary form."

I bet you have never thought of an XLR connector as "three small round pins/holes forming a triangular pattern inside an 18mm diameter circle."

There is also some questionable information, such as "the gain setting knobs [on an amplifier] should generally be set at maximum..." Never seen that one in print.

Much better choices for an actual book are Davis: "Sound Reinforcement Handbook" and Stark: "Live Sound Reinforcement".

Good, but...
I wanted a few books for reference, to share with working musician friends. This book does seem to be complete, but, with its total lack of diagrams and illustrations, really makes for very boring reading.

I would recommend instead this book: "Live Sound Reinforcement: A Comprehensive Guide to P.A. and Music Reinforcement Systems and Technology", ISBN 0918371074.

Another excellent sound reference is the Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook, from Hal Leonard (# HL 00500964). A littl e more detailed than the above recommended book, but still good for both beginners and experts.

this guy knows his live sound
This book is the end all/be all of live sound. It covers everything you need to know...from what the knobs do, to what rooms have different sound qualities and how to adjust. It's perfect. As a professional touring musician, this is one of the most detailed books I've read on the issue. I highly recommend it.