Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

A great primer for those new to sound. Topics are placed in simple terms with light hearted comparisons to plumbing.

I bought this book to help me work with the sound system at my church. I really helped me know some of the capabilities of the system and what is possible. The CD that comes with the book was very helpful for ear training. I liked it.

Great book! For those that need to grasp the basics. or review the basics, of live audio mixing this is the one book that will do it.

Ira White takes the reader through the sections of a mixing console (if you are from the UK a "mixing desk")and explains how each part works and how it might be used. As with any book on live audio mixing, it would be best understood if you spend a few moments in front of a console so you at least know what one looks like.

The audio CD is a great addition as the listener can actually hear what Ira is refering to in his lessons within the chapters.

This item is a tremendous value. The book is written in a very simple, straightforward, and light-hearted way, telling you all you need to know to get going on some creative creating. The CD may be the best part of this package, though. It has some examples from a live recording environment, and the author guides us through a little EQ sprucing-up of kick drum, hi hat, snare, acoustic guitar, and bass guitar tracks. Other tracks on the CD have the author explaining how certain EQ ranges effect vocals in what ways as he demonstrates by tweaking his own voice as he narrates. Also included are tracks demonstrating delay and reverb effects, as well as some modulation, and some tracks showing how to use EQ to detect and eliminate feedback, and how to detect phase or polarity problems. The CD is even rounded out by three pieces of the authors music. I definitely don't miss my $12 plus shipping.

I have been running the mixer at church for about 3 years. We just upgraded the mixer, and I had no clue what all the new features were for or what we were actually doing. It was all trial and error, OJT. This book takes a very difficult subject and gives a strong foundation to the uninitiated in a light, humorous way. It is a great book for the untrained.

I found this book to be extremely valuable.
Ira White presents a comprehensive overview of audio for both live and recording applications. Some of the topics I found especially helpful were microphone types - including wireless, micing techniques, eq, levels, delay, echo, reverb, compression and considerations for live theater. The CD includes examples of eq settings, speaker phase, digital effects and more.
The book is great for the beginner, or for someone with limited experience who needs to round out their knowledge. It is the closest you will get to sitting with a pro and picking his brain.

The real gem for me in this was the cd. I owned the book for quite a while and it was pretty much collecting dust at this point until recently when I pulled it out in order to prepare a training class. Finally I bothered to check out the cd. For me it was great to hear some real life examples of how to eq some various instruments... hearing for myself the changes that can be brought about with proper eq. It really amounted to a good, quick little lesson in ear/listening training. Yeah, the guy has a dry sense of humor, but look past it and you see that he really does know his stuff.

The book as whole gives a nice broad overview of things you should know before gettting started in pro audio even if it does spend time on things you probably know or thought were obvious. A few key chapters and the cd would be a good requirement for a volunteer about to be thrown into the "sound-man" job.