Damn! I was hoping to pick up some "tricks" myself from some of the veterans here. Instead all I'm getting is "good advice."
C'mon! Quit holding out! I KNOW you've got some secret "tricks" up your sleeve!
Well there is a lot of good stuff here. I'm not a veteran but i will share some "advice".
Some people think that there is some "trick" that is a push of a button and it makes everything sounds good, and they want the secret trick. but in reality there is NO magic. Sound amplification is a combination of the Acoustic and electronics, and you have to deal with both, in order to have an honest sound.
I see some people focusing on the mix (mixer), where they try to correct everything with a ton of processing. rather than fixing it in the first place at the source.
Sound amplification is a bunch of compromises.
In acoustical domain we have only a single direct source with additional reverb (echo).
In the amplified sound system we have the same signal arriving at the mic from 1)Source 2)Monitors 3)Main PA 4)Reflections, and it is than being multiplied by a number of load-speakers, arriving at the listener from multiple points.
My goal in sound system is to reduce the amount i have to compromise. the trick or technique is "ISOLATION" at both ends, at the input (microphone) and at the output (speakers) stages. if you have clean signal and a coherent system you don't need much processing.
Input1) Use microphones with tight pickup pattern and good rear rejection. it will also help for GBF.
2) Point the microphones to the source, and closes possible to the source.
3) Use close miking technique.
4) Use In ear monitors instead of monitor wadges.
5) If you have to use monitors, align the monitors that they should be at the cancelling point of the microphones.
6) Use carpet on the floor to reduce reflections.
7) Use shield panels for drums.
8 ) Use direct input for guitars/bass instead of amp miking.
Output1) Use the least speakers possible. 2 bigger speakers are better than 4 smaller.
2) Use speakers that have a tight pattern control (down to the low frequency).
3) Point the speakers where you want the sound energy to go, not on the ceiling and walls. hang the speakers and tilt it down, if possible.
4) Try to have as much of the speakers coverage at isolation zone.
5) Use delay speakers when needed. and align time and phase to the mains.
6) Center the subs, and align phase to the mains.
7) Balance the subs and the speaker levels. raise lows in the mix if needed.
If you do all of this, and advice from the veterans here. you don't need "tricks" to make it sound good. And if you use tricks you will be able to enjoy it, because the system will reproduce those "tricks".
Yeh, i know i put a lot of points here. The best advice i can give someone here is take training, listen to others, share with others and help others. this way you learn and grow.
Enjoy
Yoel Farkas