Creamware as processor for PA systems

ernest@303.nu · Post by **ernest@303.nu** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 5:14 am

I organised a small elektro/techno party (about 100 visitors) in a squatted farm last weekend. I decided to try out my creamware-system for PA-optimizing.
The results exceeded my expectations!!!Chrystal clear and defined sound (especially considering the old speakers and amplifiers) with tight bass; A/B-ing the sound with the unprocessed output was like removing a brickwall from the speakers. We could turn up the volume VERY loud with full and defined sound all across the hall, without fatiguing and harsh mid/high frequencies. I even could easily chat with a friend in front of the speaker stacks:)
The speakers were facing the DJ's from the other end of the hall; the sound was so defined they didn't need monitor speakers.

I used:
* 30 band graphic EQ for tonal correction
* psy-Q for low-mid-high-enhancement
* Optimaster, for squashing the last Watts of undistorted sound pressure from the speaker cabinets. This worked like a miracle!
* highcut-filter, for feeding the sub-bass speakers
I ran the system at 48kHz, but next time I might try running at 96kHz

The Creamware-system ran stable from 23:00-10:00 (when we aborted the party)

I highly recommend Scope for PA-enhancement! You have to try it to believe it. And I'd recommend Creamware promoting CWA-cards for the PA-market as well.

(BTW the party was cool)

wsippel · Post by **wsippel** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 8:57 am

Sounds like a really great idea.
We used some K3Audio DPX Mainframe EQ's for our parties, DSP-based EQ's with up to 4 DSP's, wit EQ, compressor, AD/DA converter and analyzer - controllable via MIDI.
But even though these things are quite expensive (Euro 1000, each), they are very limited (16bit/ 44.1kHz), the sound is not exactly what I would have expectet, and you shuld use at least one DPX per amp, so we used up to 4 DPX for a single floor (with 4 2600W ECLER amps).
Using SCOPE would be far more flexible - and _way_ cheaper...!

ernest@303.nu · Post by **ernest@303.nu** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 9:53 am

On 2004-04-12 09:57, wsippel wrote:

We used some K3Audio DPX Mainframe EQ's for our parties, [...cut...] the sound is not exactly what I would have expectet, and you shuld use at least one DPX per amp, so we used up to 4 DPX for a single floor (with 4 2600W ECLER amps).
Using SCOPE would be far more flexible - and _way_ cheaper...!

It's incredibly flexible. Just connect your favourite multi I/O-rack to your Scope-card and tweak the amplifiers till your jaws hurt from smiling

If you try it out on your next party: let me know how it went! I will for sure stick with my Creamware-system for PA-optimizing (as long as I don't need it for my own liveset

)

<font size=-1>these people enjoy the CWA-enhanced PA-experience

</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: ernest@303.nu on 2004-04-12 11:04 ]</font>

Shayne White · Post by **Shayne White** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 12:44 pm

Did you use a desktop computer or a notebook with Magma expansion?

Nisse · Post by **Nisse** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 2:21 pm

Oh my. . .

Nice picture, Ernesto. That party looks wicked

Immanuel · Post by **Immanuel** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 4:16 pm

Next Friday I will too try out SFP for live use. I will be doing simple sound processing on the inserts of the hardware mixer.

Post by **hubird** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 5:02 pm

greatly done Ernest, I regret I wasn't there, but I told other people who actually did go!
Nice picture indeed, looks great.
Next time I'll be there, gimme a shot in time

ernest@303.nu · Post by **ernest@303.nu** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 6:19 pm

On 2004-04-12 13:44, Shayne White wrote:
Did you use a desktop computer or a notebook with Magma expansion?

I used my desktop system. Small Compaq case and 15" emergency-monitor.

Indeed the picture is nice, and in reality it looked just as funky as on the picture

We (me and 3 friends of mine) were very satisfied with the lighting (which was in fact very simple but effective), visuals and decoration... and of course about the sound!
But damn was it working hard, building up/breaking down.....

More good vibes @ Berg-en-Dal coming soon

(and Creamware will be there)

wsippel · Post by **wsippel** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 6:33 pm

A little off-topic, but anyway:

When we made a party sylvester 2000/2001 (about 1000 visitors), we were out of lighting effects for the mainfloor. We only had two medium scanners, one small strobe and fog, and the strobe was so small, you did barely notice it was running...

So, we got several thousand AOL(?) promo-CDROMS, painted that room's walls black, and glued the CD's on the wall (reflective side up, of course) using silicone. It was a lot of work, but a really great effect - the walls seemed to glow in all those holographic colors when the strobe flashed, and the colors change when you move around. Very cool...

King of Snake · Post by **King of Snake** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 8:10 am

Looks/sounds great! Let me know when and where the next party is, I'll try to be there too