When you think of a live concert, the first things that come to mind are probably the band, the lights, and the roaring crowd. However, lurking in the background, ensuring that the performance goes smoothly, is a piece of technology that is often overlooked: the stage monitor speaker.
Stage Monitors - Why They Are Useful
If you are a musician new to performing, a venue owner looking at equipment for the stage, or you’re simply a curious live music fan, today is the day you understand what stage monitors are, what they do and how they are used.
To begin with, we should discuss, in basic terms, how the stage is set up for a band’s gig, as this is where the stage monitors come into play.
Picture a stage at your favourite music venue, and you’re standing in the crowd. On each side of the stage are speakers facing you. Behind the speakers, you have the microphones for the singers, and then behind them, you have the guitar amps and drum kit.
Now the sound on stage is very different to what you in the crowd hear. The sound you are hearing comes from the front-of-house mix, coming through the speakers, with the sound from the microphones mixed to a balanced and pleasing level.
However, things would be very different on stage without monitors. The band would be hearing a very loud mixture of drums and amps. Some members of the band may hear the sound from the front of house reflecting off of the back wall, but for singers hearing themself would be nigh on impossible over the clamour of the band.
This is where stage monitors come in handy. These wedge-shaped speakers are put on the floor and they are angled up at the performer. Generally, there’s one per musician, but not always. Essentially these speakers are an aid for the musician, providing sound on the stage.
These monitors play a crucial role in live performances, allowing musicians to hear themselves and their bandmates clearly amidst the cacophony of sound on stage and in the venue. In this blog post, we'll explore the history, uses, and technical workings of stage monitor speakers.
A Brief History of Stage Monitor Speakers
Stage monitor speakers, also known simply as stage wedges, floor monitors or just monitors, emerged out of necessity. In the early days of amplified music, artists struggled to hear themselves over the noise of the audience and their own instruments. The first PA systems were designed to project sound to the audience, often leaving musicians in a bind when it came to hearing their own performance. The Beatles famously struggled to hear themselves over the sound of the crowd, with this apparently contributing to their decision to stop touring in 1966.
Around that time sound engineers were starting to face loudspeakers at the band using the front of house mix, just at a slightly lower volume, but there wasn’t any individual control like you’d find with modern stage fills. The introduction of stage monitors in the 1960s changed the game.
Pioneers like Bob Pridden, The Who’s engineer, began experimenting with some form of foldback for the band to give them a fighting chance of hearing themselves. Others include Bill Hanley (creator of the sound system used at the original Woodstock festival in 1969) who’s credited for positioning a loudspeaker on the floor at the feet of the musician and angling it up at them. Combining this with directional microphones to combat feedback on stage, the stage monitor was born.
The advent of monitors revolutionised live music, allowing artists to play with greater precision and confidence. Over the years, these systems have evolved from basic speaker setups into sophisticated tools that integrate with modern digital sound technology.
Uses of Stage Monitor Speakers
The primary function of stage monitor speakers is to deliver a customised sound mix to performers. This mix is tailored to the needs of individual musicians, ensuring that they can hear themselves and other key elements of the performance.
The stage monitors are mixed separately from the front-of-house mix, and sometimes each monitor speaker will have its own mix as per each musician’s requirement. This means, for example, that the singer can have their vocals in the monitor at a much louder volume than say the bassist’s monitor who’d mostly likely want the kick drum and guitar at a higher volume.
Whilst it means more sound on stage, it can actually make for better volume levels overall. This is partly down to the performers being capable and experienced players, but essentially, a good monitor mix means all of the members of the band are able to hear themselves clearly and therefore don’t need to increase the volume of their individual instruments to compete with the other sounds on stage.
A guitarist who is struggling to hear their guitar would simply turn their amp up, and if they didn’t have stage monitors this increase in volume would mean the bassist is likely to need to turn their amp up to hear themself, meaning the drummer will need to play harder to be heard over the amps, which will make it harder for the guitarist to hear, so they’ll turn up again, ad infinitum.
With stage wedges, life is made easier for the performer but it also makes for a better performance overall. This is perhaps most notable for singers, who will be able to hear themselves much more clearly and therefore sing in time and in tune with the band.
Here are some more key uses of stage monitors:
Band Cohesion
In a live music setting, band cohesion is paramount. Stage monitors play a vital role in ensuring that band members can hear each other clearly, which is crucial for maintaining rhythm and coordination. This is especially important in larger ensembles, where the number of instruments and vocalists can create a complex and dense soundscape.
When each band member can hear the other instruments and vocals through stage monitors, it helps them stay in sync and maintain a tight performance. Drummers, for example, rely on hearing the bass guitar and other rhythm section elements to keep the beat steady. Likewise, guitarists and keyboardists need to hear each other to complement their parts and avoid clashing or overlapping sounds. In ensembles with multiple vocalists, hearing harmonies accurately through monitors ensures that vocal lines blend seamlessly, enhancing the overall sound.
Stage monitors also facilitate dynamic interplay between musicians. When performers can hear each other clearly, they can engage in musical conversations, responding to cues and improvisations. This ability to listen and react in real-time contributes to a more spontaneous and energetic performance, which audiences can sense and appreciate. The communication facilitated by stage monitors not only enhances the musical experience but also strengthens the bond between band members, allowing them to work together as a cohesive unit.
Cueing
Stage monitors serve as an essential tool for cueing, providing musicians with an easier means of hearing prompts from other musicians on stage during a live performance. Cues can indicate various transitions, such as the start of a new section in a song, changes in tempo, or the introduction of a solo. These cues help performers navigate complex arrangements and ensure that everyone is on the same page throughout the performance.
In many live shows, musical directors or conductors use stage monitors to deliver cues to the band. These cues might be pre-recorded or delivered live through a microphone, allowing the director to guide the performers in real time. For example, a musical director might cue the drummer to start a specific rhythm pattern or signal the horn section to play a certain melody. These cues are crucial in large productions, where multiple musicians need to coordinate their actions seamlessly.
Stage monitors can also facilitate a visual barrier for artists on stage. If the audience is not lit and with stage lighting glaring into the eyes of the musicians, it can sometimes be difficult to see where the stage ends. Whilst many stage monitors aren’t always positioned right on the edge of the stage they are a good indicator that the stage will end not far beyond the monitor so the musician can err on the side of caution and remain on the correct side of the monitors to prevent them from accidentally falling off the stage.
Feedback Control
Feedback control is another critical aspect of stage monitors, allowing musicians to adjust their dynamics and performance based on what they hear. Feedback, in this context, refers to the unwanted sound loops that occur when audio from speakers is picked up by microphones, creating a high-pitched squeal or hum. This can be distracting for both performers and audiences and can disrupt the flow of a performance.
Sound engineers play a crucial role in managing feedback by using equalisation (EQ) and other signal-processing tools to fine-tune the audio mix. By cutting problematic frequencies and adjusting the monitor mix, engineers can minimise the risk of feedback and create a more stable sound environment on stage. This proactive approach to feedback control allows musicians to focus on their performance without worrying about technical issues, enhancing their ability to deliver a smooth and engaging show.
It is probably worth saying, as a note to prospective sound engineers, that floor monitors can be the biggest source of feedback on a stage since it can be directly at microphones, but always ensure the microphone isn't pointing directly at a speaker to help combat this.
Communication
In addition to their musical functions, stage monitors can be used for communication, relaying spoken instructions or messages from the sound engineer or musical director. Whilst this communication channel is typically utilised through in-ear monitor systems, it is possible to convey messages through wedges to the musicians without the audience hearing it and can be essential for alerting the band on stage to any technical issues.
For example, a musical director might use stage monitors to give verbal cues or instructions to the band during a performance. These instructions could include reminders of upcoming changes in the setlist, adjustments to the tempo or dynamics, or alerts about potential technical issues. By providing real-time communication, stage monitors help performers stay informed and prepared, ensuring that the show runs smoothly.
How Stage Monitor Speakers Work
To understand how stage monitor speakers work, it's helpful to look at their components and the signal flow involved in a typical live setup.
Components of Stage Monitor Systems
- Monitors: These are the speakers, typically active stage monitors, placed on stage, often angled upwards towards the performers. There are two main types of stage monitors:
- Floor Monitors: These wedge-shaped speakers sit on the stage floor and are directed up towards the performer.
- Side-Fill Monitors: Larger speakers placed at the sides of the stage, providing a broader sound coverage, often used in conjunction with floor monitors.
- Amplifiers: Monitor speakers require amplification to produce sound. Some systems use separate power amplifiers, while others incorporate powered speakers with built-in amplifiers.
- Mixing Console: This is the control centre for the audio setup. The mixing console receives inputs from microphones and instruments and sends the appropriate mix to each stage monitor.
- Signal Processors: Devices such as equalisers, compressors, and feedback suppressors are used to fine-tune the audio signal before it reaches the monitors.
Signal Flow in Stage Monitor Systems
The signal flow in a stage monitor system typically follows these steps:
- Input: Sound from microphones and instruments is captured and sent to the mixing console.
- Mixing: The audio engineer creates a monitor mix for each performer. This involves balancing the levels of different audio sources to suit the preferences and needs of each musician.
- Routing: The customised mix is sent from the mixing console to the appropriate stage monitor. This routing can be done via analogue cables or digital networks.
- Amplification: The signal is amplified to a suitable level for the monitors to project sound effectively.
- Output: The stage monitors reproduce the audio signal, allowing performers to hear the mix clearly.
Technological Advancements in Stage Monitoring
The technology behind stage monitoring has advanced significantly over the years, leading to improved sound quality and more versatile systems. Here are a few noteworthy developments:
- In-Ear Monitors (IEMs): While traditional stage monitors are still widely used, many performers have adopted in-ear monitors. In Ear Monitors offer several advantages, including greater mobility, personalised sound mixes, and isolation from ambient noise. They consist of wireless earpieces that deliver sound directly to the performer's ears, reducing the need for loud on-stage speakers.
- Digital Mixing Consoles: Digital consoles offer greater flexibility and precision in creating monitor mixes. They often feature built-in effects, advanced signal processing, and the ability to save and recall settings for different performers and venues.
- Smartphone Apps: Some modern systems allow performers to control their own monitor mixes using smartphone apps, giving them greater autonomy and real-time adjustments during performances.
Not Every Show Needs Monitors
Now, not every instant will require a stage monitor for each member of the band, and for smaller venues, such as a cafe or small bar, you may only need one or two, depending on the nature of the performances. If it’s a band, one at the front of the stage is often enough but it might be useful to have one at the back of the stage for the drummer too. If it will be predominantly acoustic or solo acts, one monitor at the front is often plenty.
It is important to understand that the instrument needs to be capable of going through the front-of-house system, or the desk for it to be put through the monitor mix. You won’t be able to hear any drums through a monitor if there are no microphones on the drum kit, for example. It sounds obvious, but it does mean more work for the sound engineer and it’s not always necessary to fully mic up everything on the stage, and so for smaller venues, expect to just hear vocals through the monitor.
In these instances, more experienced bands and performers shine since they play to accommodate the size of the room. If you’re in a venue where nothing is mic’d up except vocals, the indication is that the band’s playing volume level needs to be lower. If you’re playing so loud on stage that you can’t hear each other, then your audience is in for a horrible time. Everyone in the band should lower their volume on the stage enough so that they can all hear each other clearly, along with the vocals in the monitor.
Conclusion
Stage monitor speakers have come a long way since their inception, evolving from rudimentary speaker systems into sophisticated tools that enhance live performances. By providing musicians with a clear and customised audio mix, monitors enable artists to deliver their best performances, ensuring that they and the audience enjoy the music as it was intended.
As technology continues to advance, we can expect stage monitoring systems to become even more integrated and versatile, further enriching the live music experience for both performers and audiences alike. Whether you're a musician, a sound engineer, or a music enthusiast, understanding the history and workings of stage monitor speakers adds a layer of appreciation to the intricate world of live sound. So next time you’re at a concert, spare a thought for those unassuming speakers on stage—they're working hard to make sure every note hits the mark.
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