The AudioArt Blogs

As I mentioned in an earlier post I have been exploring the world of digital audio for the live situation. I decided to put together the SAC – Software Audio Console system. I have just completed the system and am beginning the test procedure. I hope to use it live at a club gig next weekend.

I have been posting progress reports on the I Built My Computer site. If you are interested in the adventure you can read all about it there. I built a dedicated computer for use with the system. If it performs up to expectation I may build one or two more instances of the system over the summer. One would be a smaller system that would be more compact for the smaller gigs and club dates. The other would be a full concert system.

The system that I have now built is a 32 channel system that I plan to use for events and conventions. The club rig would be probably 24 channels and would be significantly less expensive to put together. The concert rig would be on the order of 48 channels and have some other requirements that will make it more expensive.

This has been fun on several levels. I got to build another computer. I have been learning about digital audio. Both of these are areas of special interest to me. It will be interesting to put the new system into service and see how it works in the live sound world.

I am exploring entering the digital audio age through an software audio console. There are some very enthusiastic supporters of the software. I have been researching this approach for the last few days. The options seem to be nearly endless.

The software will handle 72 channels of audio and has flexible internal virtual patching. I am way behind the curve as far as digital audio in concerned so I have to learn nearly everything. A hazy picture of what is necessary is beginning to form.

I was thinking of getting this together for BikeWeeK, but the more I read on the subject the more I realize how much that I have to learn before I will be ready to implement this solution. Possibly by Myrtle Beach I could have this system up and running. If I do go this route I will probably carry at least two complete systems, and possibly three, out to Sturgis in August.

Taking this approach will eliminate a huge amount of equipment. The house rack will be an unnecessary item as all of the functions will be built into the software or added via plug-ins. The snake and split are not needed. The software allows the FOH and 24 stereo monitor mixes to be operated for a show. The actual mix can be done from a laptop that can be located anywhere in the venue thanks to wireless technology. It would not be necessary to  have any wires from the stage to the mix location. The monitor tech with a laptop could stand right beside the musician while doing the initial monitor mix and hear what the musician is hearing without a cue wedge.

Even writing this entry gets me more excited about the possibilities. There are truly huge advantages to this system. It will give the possibility of doing small gigs with a full featured system without carrying large amounts of equipment. For the hotel gigs there will be no wires to tape down. For parties one can mix from anywhere in the room. There is the possibility to allow the musicians to mix their own monitors. The 24 monitor mixes are all stereo, so all in-ear mixes can be in stereo.

Beside audio, computers are of great interest to me. I have been a computer hobbyist for several years. This system will allow me to enjoy two of my areas of interest at the same time. I am looking forward to the challenges of getting this system into operation.