Have you ever tried to play your music in a club? Do you know that it will most likely sound completely different on a club sound system than on small monitors or hifi? Do you know that many problems in sound, resonances and unpleasant frequencies in the mix will probably be emphasized/multiplied many times (in multiples of x10) because high-powered PA amplifiers will amplify the sound/signal in multiples of several 100x?
If you produce electronic dance music, it's quite a problem. It should sound good in clubs and festivals. However, testing every mix and master in the club is very difficult and often impossible.
What about that? We designed a PA sound system simulator. It simulates not only various sound systems (advanced IR response + modeling technology), but also amplifiers and processors (in front of passive high-performance speakers, there are usually many limiters, multi-band compressors, protectors, crossovers and amplifiers, especially separated for bass and especially for mid-treble speakers, high power amplifiers that significantly affect the sound and also add THD distortion). In addition, the sound is significantly affected by the acoustics of the space because very loud sound is reflected more then quieter sound (also crowd affect sound, for example, it makes a difference if the club is empty - then the sound is usually sharper and reflects more from the walls) than when it is full - a crowd of people can break up the sound more - softening the reflections and sharpness of the sound. In addition, we also simulate the drive / the strength of the input signal, you will definitely recognize the fact when a DJ plays "to the red levels on the mixer" when he clips not only the mixer, but also the limiters in the processors and various protection equipment/limiters that prevent the speakers from firing. In other words, the louder the input, the more unpleasant the sound, but many DJs like to play at the max volume and therefore you can set different levels of input signal strength with the knob. In addition to amplifiers, distortion is also created by the loudspeakers themselves and their woofers placed in iron frames, especially if they go to the maximum of their acoustic performance (that's why many high-end sound systems are said to only go to 40-50% of the maximum possible performance) We developed the PA Club soundsystem tester not only with dsp engineers , but also with live sound engineers, DJs and producers such as Toxic Elements, Synthaix, DJ Byg Byzniss or DJ Adidaso with Slovakian slav squad)
PS: we expect a lot of flame wars, pseudo-professional ramblings and conflicts on such a topic, but we are used to KVR and take it humorously. LOL So we prepared questions and answers to offer more information.
Questions and Answers:
What is the characteristic sound of large PA sound systems in clubs and festivals, how is it different from small hi-fi speakers, how does it distort and negatively affect the sound?
The sound of large PA sound systems in clubs and festivals is characterized by several factors that distinguish it from the sound of small hi-fi speakers. These differences are a consequence of the design, sound pressures and goals these sound systems have.
Power and Sound Pressure: PA sound systems in clubs and festivals are designed to achieve high power and high sound pressure. This means that they can produce extremely loud sounds, which are necessary to cover large spaces with many people. On the contrary, small hi-fi speakers are aimed at reproducing quality sound in the living room and are not designed for such high volumes.
Design for Sound Pressure: The design of PA sound systems is often optimized to produce high sound pressure and minimal distortion at high volumes. This means that special speaker units, amplifiers and sound components are used, which are able to work in extreme conditions.
Distortion and THD: High-powered sound systems can exhibit some degree of distortion at extreme volumes. This can be caused by improper control of the amplifiers, deformation of the speaker diaphragms or other factors. This distortion can negatively affect sound quality, as it can introduce inaccuracies into musical tones.
Acoustically Affecting the Space: Large PA systems can tend to affect the acoustics of the space in which they are placed. Loud sound can cause sound reflections from walls and ceilings, which can lead to inconsistencies in the frequency response and sound balance.
Dynamics and Impact: The sound from large PA sound systems can have more dynamics and impact, which means that it can be very intense and energetic. This is important for music genres that are often played in clubs and festivals.
All in all, the distinctive sound of large PA sound systems is a result of their high performance design and ability to work at high volumes. This sound is different from the sound of small hi-fi speakers, which are aimed at living room sound quality and are not designed for extremely loud applications. When properly managed and set up, the sound of large PA systems can offer a breathtaking experience, but improper use or setup can lead to negative effects on the sound and even damage to your hearing.
Q:Why does the sound on large sound systems in clubs sound often unpleasant compared to small room hi-fi speakers?
The sound on large sound systems in clubs can sound unpleasant for a number of reasons related to the design of the sound installation, the acoustics of the space and the way sound is propagated and perceived in such environments. Here are some factors that can lead to unpleasant sound on large sound systems compared to small room hi-fi speakers:
Room Acoustics: Clubs and festival venues often have large spaces with different acoustic characteristics. Sound can bounce off walls, ceilings and floors multiple times, which can lead to reflections and interference that distort the original sound and cause acoustic problems such as echoes and resonances.
Volume and Sound Pressure: Large sound systems in clubs have the ability to produce extremely high sound pressure. At these high volumes, distortions can appear that distort the sound and make it unpleasant. This distortion can originate directly in the speakers or in the amplifiers, which may not be able to maintain a clean signal at such high levels.
Setup and Calibration: Correct setup of the sound installation is crucial to achieve quality sound. If the sound system is not properly set up and calibrated for the space, it can lead to an imbalance in the frequency spectrum and poor sound quality.
Speaker Placement: Improper speaker placement can cause uneven sound coverage and uneven volume distribution in different parts of the club. This can lead to inconsistent sound and an unpleasant perception of music.
Sound Design and Materials: Large sound systems often use different types of speakers and materials compared to small hi-fi speakers. These differences can affect the color of the sound and its character.
Selection of Repertoire and Genres: Some music genres and compositions can be more difficult to process on large sound systems. If the sound system is not properly balanced and tailored for specific genres, it can lead to poor sound quality.
Amplifiers – They produce THD Distortion at high volumes and can amplify also problems in mix/mastering significantly.
DJs – they often clip the output “play in red”. Many DJ mixers are digital inside (while they may look completely analogue or have digital hard clip limiters inside that cause additional distortion. Also PA sound engineers use limiters, multi-band limiters and other devices to protect sound system, because peaks in input can physically damage woofers!
All in all, the sound on large sound systems in clubs can sound unpleasant due to a complex combination of factors that affect the acoustics and technical parameters of the sound installation. Proper setup, sound design, and attention to detail can help minimize these issues and ensure a pleasant listening experience for listeners.
Q: state why the above distortion occurs in speakers and amplifiers?
Distortion in speakers and amplifiers can occur for several reasons, both natural and technical. Distortion means that the reproduced sound is distorted compared to the original signal. These distortions can lead to unpleasant sound and loss of sound quality.
Here are some reasons why distortion can appear in speakers and amplifiers:
Component Nonlinearity: Loudspeakers and amplifiers use electronic and mechanical components that may not be completely linear in behavior. This means that their response to an input signal may not be an exact increase or decrease in volume. Non-linearity can lead to distortions.
Amplifier Overload: When an amplifier is stressed by a strong input signal, it can reach its maximum capacity, leading to so-called overload (clipping). Overloading causes the amplifier to not accurately reproduce all parts of the signal, resulting in distorted sound.
Excessive power: If speakers are driven at too high power, their diaphragms can begin to deform, causing incorrect vibration patterns and distorted sound.
Improper frequency response management: If the speakers are not properly balanced with respect to the frequency response, certain frequency ranges can be cut or lifted, affecting the overall tone of the sound.
Inability to respond to rapid signal changes: Some speakers and amplifiers may not be able to respond quickly to rapid changes in the signal, which can cause unwanted artifacts and distortion.
Electromagnetic interference: Electromagnetic interference from other devices or electrical elements in the vicinity can interfere with proper signal transmission and lead to audio deviations.
Thermal issues: At higher outputs, heat can build up in components, which can affect their behavior and cause distortion.
Proper design and engineering, as well as quality components, can minimize distortion in speakers and amplifiers. Modern technologies and sound processing techniques try to minimize these problems and ensure clean and accurate transmission of sound without distortions.
https://youtu.be/szTAdZq7a8Y?si=5O9YIicHTFUWuHNA
https://www.g-sonique.com/pa-club-sound ... ugin.html
