The Live Sound Manual: Getting Great Sound at Every Gig [Paperback]

Ben Duncan (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0879306998 | ISBN-13: 978-0879306991 | Publication Date: March 1, 2002

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.

Editorial Reviews

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 255 pages
• Publisher: Backbeat Books (March 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879306998
• ISBN-13: 978-0879306991
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #199,024 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #83 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics > Acoustics & Sound

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Useless, May 12, 2004

By 

Stephen Cooper (Twin Peaks, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Live Sound Manual: Getting Great Sound at Every Gig (Paperback)

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".

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good, but..., July 28, 2003

By 

Tim Specht "Tspecht" (San Antonio, TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Live Sound Manual: Getting Great Sound at Every Gig (Paperback)

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.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this guy knows his live sound, February 21, 2006

By 

Dan Anderson "Guitarist" (Fairfax, Va) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Live Sound Manual: Getting Great Sound at Every Gig (Paperback)

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.