Live Sound System Measurement for Concerts and Festivals

TL;DR

Live sound environments demand real-time measurement: transfer function for system alignment, SPL monitoring for regulatory compliance, and delay finder for multi-zone timing. SonaVyx runs on any device — use your phone as a walk-around analyzer while the FOH laptop runs the main measurement.

Acoustic Measurement for Concerts and Festivals

Live sound at concerts and festivals involves complex multi-zone systems, outdoor propagation challenges, and strict SPL compliance requirements. SonaVyx provides the measurement tools needed to align, optimize, and document large-scale sound systems in these demanding environments.

Multi-Zone System Alignment

Festival PA systems typically consist of main arrays, delay towers, front fills, and subwoofer arrays, each requiring precise time alignment. Use SonaVyx's Transfer Function mode to measure the impulse response at the boundary between coverage zones. The delay finder identifies propagation time from each source, allowing you to calculate the correct delay setting for each zone. Work through zones systematically using the Tune PA workflow, starting from the main array and adding each fill zone one at a time.

SPL Compliance

Most festivals operate under local noise regulations that limit SPL levels at property boundaries and in audience areas. EU regulations reference 99 dBA LAeq over 15 minutes with a 102 dBA maximum. Use SonaVyx's SPL meter in logging mode to continuously monitor levels throughout the event. The noise dose calculator tracks cumulative exposure for crew and audience. Set event markers to annotate level changes during soundcheck, support acts, and headliners for compliance documentation.

Delay Tower Alignment

Delay towers extend coverage to rear audience areas. The Haas effect requires delay speakers to be timed 10-20 ms after the main array at the nearest overlap point. SonaVyx's delay alignment workflow guides you through measuring propagation delay from the main PA, calculating the delay tower offset, and verifying smooth summation at the zone boundary.

Subwoofer Configuration

Festival subwoofer arrays use cardioid, end-fire, or arc configurations to control low-frequency coverage. Measure the transfer function at multiple positions behind and in front of the array to verify the rejection pattern. SonaVyx's multi-trace overlay lets you compare front-to-back ratio at key frequencies to confirm the array is achieving the desired pattern control.

Documentation

Generate a compliance report after each event using SonaVyx's report generator. Include SPL logs, system alignment data, and before/after comparisons to demonstrate due diligence for venue operators and local authorities.