Audio Made Easy: (Or How to Be a Sound Engineer Without Really Trying) [Paperback]

Ira White (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1423420144 | ISBN-13: 978-1423420149 | Publication Date: April 1, 2007 | Edition: 4

Now updated to cover digital mixing and signal processing, this established beginners guide to live sound has been the first book for many students and self-taught sound technicians. Ira White presents information in a very accessible, casual, down-to-earth way. This handy manual for musicians, studio engineers and audio pros contains valuable information on using EQ, speaker specifics, mics, and techniques for recording, live recording, club and concert sound, church sound, theatrical sound and much more, without page-filling formulas or mind-boggling abstractions. Includes lots of helpful diagrams, an index, and a CD so you can hear the techniques demonstrated in the book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 104 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard; 4 edition (April 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1423420144
• ISBN-13: 978-1423420149
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #161,437 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #86 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics > Acoustics & Sound

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this book!, December 25, 2007

By 

D. Parnell (Everett, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Audio Made Easy: (Or How to Be a Sound Engineer Without Really Trying) (Paperback)

I am the volunteer sound 'engineer' for my church. I have searched for years to find a book to teach me how a sound system (especially the mixer) works and what all the terms mean. This book gave me some ideas about routing output and setting EQ that suddenly make several things clear. The CD is great for the examples given.
I highly recommend this book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars not recommended for beginners, March 1, 2011

By 

1audiopro (Vancouver, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Audio Made Easy: (Or How to Be a Sound Engineer Without Really Trying) (Paperback)

Before I start, you should know that this review is of the older version of this book (which came without the CD). Also, just for the reader's information, I'm an audio engineer, with a consulting company that does equipment replacements, system up-grades, and complete installs. We also work with many small churches, training people with absolutely no background in audio how to operate (and creatively use) their systems.
The main problem I see with the book is that alot of pro audio terms are used (and rightly so; system operators need to learn the basics); however, most of the terms are defined only in context, using other technical terms. The index shows where these terms are used, within the book; but, there are no seperate, user-friendly definitions anywhere in the book. This may have been fixed in the newer version (I hope). If not, I would recommend beginners to use other books to get started; try Rudy Trubitt's books ("Live Sound For Musicians", or "Mackie Compact Mixers"), or the Yamaha books on audio systems. (The Yamaha books are dry reading, but the "Sound Reinforcement Handbook" has enough info inside to provide an associate's degree in audio engineering, yet it starts at the very beginning; the "Guide To Sound Systems For Worship" is less dry, and still has tons of info).
I like Ira White's writing style, and he knows his stuff, but when people have absolutely no idea about sound systems, you have to define the terms you're using in a way they can really "get it", or you're wasting your time - and theirs.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for DJ's Too!, November 26, 2008

By 

A. Freiwald "ib_tlama" (Milwaukee WI) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Audio Made Easy: (Or How to Be a Sound Engineer Without Really Trying) (Paperback)

I've been DJ'ing for 20 years and have taken a lot a pride in my system and it's sound quality. However, I was always a little disappointed because it always seem to be lacking. I run a bi-amped system with a sub. I've got a good quality crossover, eq, exciter, and mixer. Alas, the sound was not right. This book helped me to understand what was happening and why. One little correct tweek of the crossover and now I have unbelievable sound!!! This should be required reading for anyone dealing with live audio of any kind.