Different Venue every week .... is EQing the FOH "Mains" rather than the individual inputs a shortcut ..... or heresy?

[Aliwobble]

I've done 100s of "set up and go" pub gigs. The sort where a proper PA tuning is just not possible. My key tips would be:

1. Shiny room = lots of treble reflections. Think glass or polished wood. Trim some highs out.

2. Floor <-> ceiling reflections typically create a room node around 160-180Hz, (unless the ceiling is higher). Putting an eq dip in here somewhere usually cleans up the sound a lot.

3. Can't hear the vocal? Put a towel over the snare drum.

[Chienmortbb]

On 09/11/2025 at 09:07, Aliwobble said:

Can't hear the vocal? Put a towel over the snare drum.

I am not sure if I would like to be near the drummer when I suggest this.🎆

[Stub Mandrel]

The one PA we have uses a reference microphone and white noise through each, then both sides of the PA. Not perfect as it doesn't compensate for the place filling with punters, but it speeds everything up.