Craig Leerman

Sparks

Senior Contributing Editor at ProSoundWeb

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Articles

New Expert Series Article "Taming The Beast"

Sep 5, 2024 | prosoundweb.com | Craig Leerman

Chapter 1 of 4 in the Renkus-Heinz Expert Series on Beam Steering Loudspeakers, entitled “Taming The Beast”. We’ve all been there. The room is highly reflective or the PA can’t be placed in a preferred location for whatever reason. Or both. Ideally, you’ve noted the challenges during a walk-through and can put some thought into an overall approach and a system design that will produce success despite the obstacles. My most recent “nightmare room” serves as an example of what can be done.
The Little Things: Tools That Can Make A Big Difference Between A "Good" Or "Great" Gig

Jul 3, 2024 | prosoundweb.com | Craig Leerman

Sure, you have a great microphone collection, the latest digital console, and fantastic loudspeakers – that’s everything required of a sound company, right? Well, not exactly. The truth is that it’s the little things that can make the most significant difference between a “good” or “great” gig. Here’s a list of some (not all) of the “must haves” at any show, no matter how big or small.
A Lot Of Hats: The Job Is About More Than Sound

Apr 5, 2024 | prosoundweb.com | Craig Leerman

Recently a young person asked me about my work, and as I explained some of the various aspects, it triggered something in my brain. I realized that I had actually just barely scratched the surface in terms of telling him about the wide range of responsibilities that many of us have. For example, we’re regularly involved with sales before the show (and often during and after).
The Direct Route: Operating Principles & Capabilities Of Direct Boxes

Feb 22, 2024 | prosoundweb.com | Craig Leerman

In its most basic form, a DI – also known as a direct box and short for “direct injection” and/or “direct insert” – takes an unbalanced high-impedance signal (i.e., from an electric guitar or keyboard) and converts it to a balanced low-impedance signal. This process is needed when running high-impedance signal at long distances, such as down a snake to a front of house console.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All: A Relevant Blast From The Past…

Jan 5, 2024 | prosoundweb.com | Craig Leerman

The cartoon above (and available as a PDF here), which first appeared in Live Sound International at least 20 years ago, is always good for a laugh, but it also brings up a good point. One of the difficulties we regularly face as live audio practitioners is working with a variety of parties in determining what’s best for a gig in terms of system size, scale, and complexity.
Taming The Beast: Strategies For Working (And Succeeding) In Acoustically Difficult Spaces

Dec 1, 2023 | prosoundweb.com | Craig Leerman

We’ve all been there. The room is highly reflective or the PA can’t be placed in a preferred location for whatever reason. Or both. Ideally, you’ve noted the challenges during a walk-through and can put some thought into an overall approach and a system design that will produce success despite the obstacles. My most recent “nightmare room” serves as an example of what can be done.
The Wonders Of Feedback: Sometimes All You Have To Do Is Ask...

Nov 3, 2023 | prosoundweb.com | Craig Leerman

Like most married couples, my wife Kelly and I don’t always agree on every subject, but when it comes to feedback we both absolutely agree that it’s a good thing. What? Yes, you read that correctly – I said feedback is good. Understand that I’m not talking about a 1K squeal that erupts from the PA just as the vocalist starts to sing a big ballad and decides to bend over the monitor wedge and get closer to the fans.
Microfiles: The Stylish Teisco TM-4 Dynamic Microphone

Sep 22, 2023 | prosoundweb.com | Craig Leerman

Veteran audio techs and musicians might be familiar with the name Teisco, and the company’s subsequent name, Teisco Del Rey. The firm was founded in 1946 in Tokyo, Japan by Atsuwo Kaneko, a renowned guitarist, and Doryu Matsuda, an electrical engineer. Teisco designed and manufactured guitars, basses, amplifiers, synthesizers, drums and some PA equipment, including microphones.
Serious Advance Work: Selecting Vocal Mics For “One-Offs”

Sep 8, 2023 | prosoundweb.com | Craig Leerman

In live audio production, choosing a vocal microphone for a singer you’ve never worked with can be a bit challenging. The “correct” choice is the one that complements the voice and how the particular singer “works” the mic. Another factor is providing a comfort level for someone who may be wary of using an unfamiliar mic, which shouldn’t be overlooked—a timid, unsure performance usually isn’t a good one. Let’s first look at what we have to work with.
Everyday Carry (EDC): The Right Tools For The Job

Aug 29, 2023 | prosoundweb.com | Craig Leerman

How many freelance stagehands does it take to plug in a cable? It sounds like the setup line of a joke, but it’s actually the subject of a memorable discussion with a colleague. At a gig a while back, he’d asked a freelance stagehand to plug in a cable at the back of a rack. It was dark, particularly in the recesses of the rack, and the stagehand couldn’t see the channel numbers (let alone the jacks).