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Sadly, it seems exceedingly rare for me to leave a music festival without at least some complaint about the sound. A few recent examples:
-In general, the sound at the Which stage in 2012. Based on past posts on inforoo, I am to understand this is not an isolated incident. If I am close enough to make out the facial expressions on the artists faces, the sound should be blowing me away. It was hard to get down to Childish Gambino when the bass isn't really moving my body. Unless I was in the pit, the Which stage was far too quiet.
On the flip side of this, the sound during Skrillex was absolutely fine. Loud as hell, as it should be.
-The secondary main stage at Hangout in 2011 and to a lesser extent 2012. Too damn quiet unless you were RIGHT at the soundboard, as I was for Ween. I was further back for Primus and Flaming Lips, and it sounded like somebody's car stereo was playing from a block away. Couldn't even tell what song Primus was playing it was so quiet.
-The main stage at Voodoo 2011. Pretty much sucked unless I was next to or in front of the soundboard. Was not only too quiet but also a hot mess in the mix
-The main stage at Music Midtown 2012 during Pearl Jam. We were off to the side and maybe 20 ft behind the soundboard, and it just didn't rock damn it! I shouldn't be able to hear all the conversations going on around me with ease, nor be able to talk to my friends at a normal volume level. I should have to shout over the piercing guitars.
-The sound at the inside stage during Buku 2012. Kind of a different complaint, rather than too quiet the mix was just one big bass note. Terrible. This is somewhat forgivable because it was a first year festival, and the sound at the main stage was spectacular.
As a counter to these complaints, the sound at the What stage and tents at Bonnaroo 2012 was great. The sound at Jazzfest is always awesome: no matter where I am in the Acura field (main stage) the sound is always loud and rockin'. Same with Le Plur (EDM stage) at Voodoo, it always sounds clear and pounding.
So what the hell is the deal? I am perturbed by long lines at portalets and poor crowd logistics just like everyone else, but when you get my $200-300 I better be able to hear the goddamn music without shoving my way to the front row.
Basically I am interested in hearing affirmations that yes, I am not cray, and it is ridiculous that major festivals can't get the most important thing, sound, correct, or that I am older and deafer than the rest of you. I am also interested in hearing from anyone with pro audio experience about the difficulties and costs of proper amplification and mixing.
Also, generally I find that electronic artists tend to sound better than rock artists, as in the aforementioned example of Skrillex on the Which, or even Girl Talk last weekend at Music Midtown, which sounded significantly better than any other artist at the same stage (though sound at that stage was generally pretty good). Is this because electronic music is easier to mix than rock?
Post by Christopher Shawn on Sept 26, 2012 11:54:17 GMT -5
I had alot of complaints as far as the sound at Bonnaroo 2011. Opeth was ruined for me by lackluster mixes. Mumford and Sons was questionable at best. Arcade Fire was good where I was standing, but I heard alot of complaints from other people. I think Roo stepped up their sound game in 2012. The which stage did seem a little quiet for some acts and too loud for other.
people in the back of what during RHCP were chanting 'WE CAN'T HEAR YOU!!' and 'TURN UP THE VOLUME!!'
It's actually one of the reasons I chose to enjoy back at my tent instead.. and it wasn't nearly as loud as say - MMJ back a few years ago. They really should contemplate a time delayed group of stack speakers rear to the sound booth. Not heavy ones just some reinforcement - maybe it would help them with hip-hop at What Stage too. (I had a great time, but after seeing The Roots, Erykah Badu, Nas & Damian in the pit over the years - I'm convinced: the main company cannot get vocals for MC's right)
people in the back of what during RHCP were chanting 'WE CAN'T HEAR YOU!!' and 'TURN UP THE VOLUME!!'
It's actually one of the reasons I chose to enjoy back at my tent instead.. and it wasn't nearly as loud as say - MMJ back a few years ago. They really should contemplate a time delayed group of stack speakers rear to the sound booth. Not heavy ones just some reinforcement - maybe it would help them with hip-hop at What Stage too. (I had a great time, but after seeing The Roots, Erykah Badu, Nas & Damian in the pit over the years - I'm convinced: the main company cannot get vocals for MC's right)
There were some speakers behind the VIP ADA viewing platform in the middle of the field, the sound was great from there. So maybe huddle around that if you're toward the back? It's pretty centralized, you won't be able to see much of the stage but the screens should be alright.
^^I'm wishing for a little bit more then that - but I'm sure they are also fundamentally worried about phasing (technical term for slight time delays that mess with perception) and the lack of rain cover. I'm sure it will be figured out, if we keep prodding em
It's actually one of the reasons I chose to enjoy back at my tent instead.. and it wasn't nearly as loud as say - MMJ back a few years ago. They really should contemplate a time delayed group of stack speakers rear to the sound booth. Not heavy ones just some reinforcement - maybe it would help them with hip-hop at What Stage too. (I had a great time, but after seeing The Roots, Erykah Badu, Nas & Damian in the pit over the years - I'm convinced: the main company cannot get vocals for MC's right)
There were some speakers behind the VIP ADA viewing platform in the middle of the field, the sound was great from there. So maybe huddle around that if you're toward the back? It's pretty centralized, you won't be able to see much of the stage but the screens should be alright.
this is my general strategy, hang back by the midfield speakers whenever possible. I don't even care about seeing the stage so much as hearing the music loudly and clearly. Radiohead sounded great from behind the ADA viewing platform.
I didn't see RHCP, I was at something in the movie tent during their set. Adult Swim I think. It was awesome.
I would say at Bonnaroo the only time I had trouble hearing anyone was at the Which Stage... especially Foster the People on Friday(?). I was WAYYYYY in the back... but I couldn't even make out what song they were playing. I was fairly close for RHCP, but I don't think their sound was as loud as it was at Lolla. At Lolla they were being blasted! I could hear them throughout the entire park. Also, I was sitting at the back for The Beach Boys and I thought they were difficult to hear at times. Overall, though, I thought the sounds on all the stages and tents were really good.
Lollapalooza was mostly fine besides the Sony Stage. I don't know if it was that this stage was competing against Perry's electronic tent all weekend or what, but I could never get into the sound on that stage. A few acts I was really pumped for, M83 and Tame Impala, and I couldn't get into those acts at all. People near the front for those shows said that the sound was good, but I heard MANY complaints about the Sony Stage overall. Other than that though... every other stage sounded fine.
Post by pondo ROCKS on Sept 27, 2012 12:22:30 GMT -5
I have always thought this was an issue, especially on Which and What.
The one thing to remember is this: most non-festival shows have hours to set up where festy shows have literally minutes and they are following someone else who had the same time constraints. This could be a reason I suppose.
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Post by Zen Arcade on Sept 28, 2012 0:10:06 GMT -5
I think it sometimes depends on where the stages are, and what ground it is on.
Taking DeLuna Fest this year for example, when I was at the Windcreek and gopensacola Stages, both of which were on asphalt, in a parking lot, there was absolutely no problems with the sound.
But when I got to the Main Stage and the Heritage Stage, which were on the beach, in sand, the guitars kinda sounded a little low. It wasn't as loud as it looked like it could be. There was a similar problem at Hangout to, especially at the main stage and the "Letting Go" stage (which was on grass). It was really prominent at the Letting Go stage on Sunday. It wasn't very loud at all.
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