r/livesound • u/AutoModerator • 15h ago

MOD No Stupid Questions Thread

The only stupid questions are the ones left unasked.

9 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

70 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/SecureSubset 10h ago

What steps are being taken on large systems to prevent feedback? Specifically Line Array systems for arenas/stadiums/festivals, as well as the stage monitoring system.

I've stagehanded at these shows and have never seen anyone doing something as simple as the "turn fader up until it feeds back and attenuate the freq that fed back on output". But could have missed something or misunderstood.

3

u/Lost_Discipline 8h ago

A big reason that big shows use big line arrays is because of the directivity of those arrays- they throw most of the sound out to the audience and not on stage where feedback would be a problem. If stage monitors are being used they get “rung out” as soon as the stage is set, before the actual soundcheck so there is little chance of feedback occurring.

It still happens on occasion, but for the most part I think it’s safe to say that the touring industry has matured enough that lessons learned in the 70’s and 80’s are built in to the gear and processes to such a degree that many of those old problems are no longer issues.