Are there any considerations or differences in designing a loudspeaker system for a play versus a musical?
Replaying recorded sound effects through loudspeakers is a lot more forgiving than a system designed for amplifying live musicians and singers. This isn’t to say that sound effects design is not an art form because it most certainly is, but you tend to need more specific control of loudspeaker systems on musicals to provide very even and controlled amplification. This helps you in several ways. Smooth loudspeaker coverage allows for a more natural sounding show and better delay imaging with the actors. Also it helps you to get better amplification levels before feedback. What factors usually determine where you are going to place your speakers? Where the actors perform and where the audience is seated. What EQ and alignment systems have you used? I have been doing this job for 20 years so I have used many systems. The latest ones I use are Meyer Sound CP-10 complementary phase parametric equalizers and the SIM audio analyzer, XTA DP226 controllers, BSS TCS804 delays, Varicurve and Omni
