Update on Marching Band Amplification Tomorrow

Submitted by FL on

An update from a friend on the band's dress rehearsals with stadium amplification:

We've experimented with the sound amplification twice this week at stadium rehearsals. Unfortunately it's really hard to get a read on things without people in the stadium. Right now there's a significant delay between the actual sound and the amplified sound. It varies from minor to almost a beat late depending on where you are. It seems to be worse the lower you are in the stands for some reason, and it's also pretty bad anywhere on the east side. We'll have a better idea of things after the first game tomorrow.

 

I hope things go well; it'll be interesting to hear reports from stadiumgoers.

bklein09

September 4th, 2010 at 2:02 AM ^

So they are doing it for sure tomorrow then?

Well at the very least it should make the band louder and the stadium even more intimidating...regardless of how well it actually works. 

philibuster

September 4th, 2010 at 2:57 AM ^

The only way to really do this is to colocate the speakers with the band or else the band will hear their notes delayed because it's such a large distance. Hey Dave Brandon, pay me to be your amplification consultant!

BlockM

September 4th, 2010 at 9:52 AM ^

There have got to be enough engineers in Ann Arbor to get this sorted out at some point this season. Hopefully it works well, because that would be incredible.

Enjoy Life

September 4th, 2010 at 10:55 AM ^

It seems to be worse the lower you are in the stands for some reason

Yikes, sound travels at 1125 feet per second. So, obviously, the further away the longer it takes for the sound to get to you. I think the speakers are located at the top of the stadium. So, that is the reason.

C'mon man, the acoustic consultants must have known that!