PA systems

[karkus30]

Several threads have asked a similar question and I have trawled the internet looking for the answers.

Who makes the best PA system...........what is the ultimate. There are obviously several combinations involved, just like any system, it comprises mikes, amps, signal handling and speaker chains...........but what gives the best sound, who are the masters of this.

I saw Tool in Glasgow and the sound was pretty good for a big venue, but I saw APC at Nottingham and the sound was Saw Tool in London this year at Sheperds Bush and the sound was pretty average. Killing Joke at Sheffield lead mill everywhere else

Obviously the venue acoustics count, but you would imagine there were ways of sorting this one out.........anyone know the whole story ??

[Toasty]

Lots of factors involved here as you've already mentioned, but for concerts similar to what your mentioning, one of the biggest factors is the sound crew.

[Leaat23]

The best sound I have heard at any gigs has to be Pink Floyd, with their quadraphonic(the ONLY group to attempt this live) set-up and massive PA system they have to be the ultimate PA masters, always crystal clear with a real bottom end grunt, these where always large venues, Earls Court Pulse tour twice , Maine Road Manchester, momentary lapse of reason tour( the concrete stand was shakingIve never heard bass like this since, the power of this PA has lived with me ever since, and always compare other gigs with this) ),Docklands Arena MLOR tour, Paris Division Bell tour.

I did see Tool at Nottingham Arena and must say they had a very impressive PA set-up, nice deep bass with a crisp, clear sound. I also went to see Iron Maiden at Sheffield Hallam FM arena, their sound was terrible, every thing seemed to be lost and it was not loud enough , a real disappointment.

Another excellent group for quality sound live has to be Aussie Floyd, these are getting VERY good now with one hell of a PA set-up, very crisp sound with lots of trouser flapping bass

Same as mentioned before it is all down to the sound engineers ability to set the system up correctly, I just love a live gig when the sound is loud but crisp, can't stand to hear distortion of any kind, or annoying feedback, this shows up an inexperienced sound engineer.

[KillerOfThreads]

Nope i saw Tangerine Dream and John Martyn both with true quad systems in the mid to late 70's. JM's was pretty good but TD's was amazing.

Aussie Floyd had the best sound of any band I saw last year.

[dj-dulux]

Tony Andrews and Funktion one, no contest! But as someone already said the crew, mixer and outboard have to match!

Dupe...

[eviljohn2]

There are plenty of good PA equipment manufacturers but there's lots to it and I'd say that the buck stops with whoever is mixing FOH. Then again everyone has bad days which is unlucky for the punter but can't really be helped - it's just a job (albeit a fun job) to the guys in the booth.

I really like the D&B kit I use at work - has a nice clear sound to it and will go very loud. Otherwise the usual suspects like Meyer, EV, L-Acoustics and Funktion One make good speakers although as with hifi speakers they all have their own character. Choice of microphone and location will play a big part in the sound going to the desk, then there's the desk itself. I think Tool tour with a Midas XL4 but I could be wrong, then there's all the offboard effects (gates, compressors, maybe EQ) and so on which have the potential to make a big difference.

Then again, maybe the band were getting a poor monitor mix...

[overkill]

I think it's the setting up more than anything else. I've seen numerous types of Kit used over the years, but none that is consistently better than anyone else's.

The best live sound has to be from those bands/artists who pay attention to every detail. If you look up at the venues ceiling you often see sound deflectors placed either above the stage or all across the ceiling. This is vital in venues like Earls Court and the Albert Hall which have poor acoustics. The way the speakers are stacked/hung is also crucial as some bands are so slack you can see that they aren't going to reach 'every corner' as it were. Some of the HM bands go for that solid wall of speakers which looks very butch, but woe betite you if you are sitting in the back row as the sound has long fizzled out by then. In particular the extreme LF & HF's.

The best bands I've seen for sound are already mentioned. Tangerine Dreams rig and sound was always excellent, and this stretches back to the late 70's. Pink Floyds Wall show was the best concert I've ever seen, and, as someone said this was in no small part down to the excellent sound and superb sonic organisation of the venue (Earls Court).

Genesis are also very good, as were Tool at the MEN recently. Other honourable 'mentions' go to Aerosmith who even managed to sound good at Wembley Arena, Yes at the same venue, Rush again same venue, terrific sound.

I know this ones are a little obscure but, The Moody Blues at WE put on a great show with first rate sound. I rated this one separately as it was a charity show, with NO band fee at all, yet they were outstanding both in performance and sound. Yes, it shouldn't make a difference, but I have seen other charity gigs where the majority just turned up, 'bashed it out' and sounded awful...........

[Knyght_byte]

Pantera used some good gear.....sadly i personally only saw one of their gigs and it was indoors, but damn was it good (soundwise as well as a riot....the WHOLE PLACE was the moshpit )

i'd love to have been at their Moscow Cowboys From Hell tour tho....saw it on one of their tour videos.....wow....huuuuuuuuuge audience....huuuuuuge rig....lol.....