I just finished a Classical Mystery Tour show in Allentown PA with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra. This gig was yet another reminder that without my measurement rig and more importantly the skills I have acquired to know how to use it, I would be blind. It took (8) well placed parametric EQ filters to make the EAW KF730 PA play nice with the room.

The mix position was near the back wall on the HL side of the hall. I was at least 20 to 30 feet underneath a balcony. I placed a mic at about 1/3 the distance of the room away from the stage stacked HL array. I used that mic for my “what do people hear up close to the PA” reference. I located a second mic next to FOH for my “what am I going to hear” reference.

Orange trace indicates HL array without any board EQ.
Light blue trace indicates the system response after EQ in the nearfield.
Yellow trace indicates the system response after EQ in the far field.

This indicates the impulse response in the nearfield

This indicates the impulse response in the farfield

I used the near field mic to EQ the main PA as follows.

Band 1 – 80hz / -18 / Q 6.3
Band 2 – 100hz / -6 / Q 4.0
Band 3 – 200hz / -9 / Q 2.5
Band 4 – 300hz / -9 / Q 5.0
Band 5 – 900hz / -4 / Q 3.2
Band 6 – 1.7k / -4 / Q 4.0
Band 7 – 10k / -8 / Q 4.0
Band 8 – 14k / -6 / Q 4.0

After finishing the EQ adjustments, I did a good bit of walking in the house to make sure that chosen EQ worked through out the venue. Things seemed relatively even and other than the expected SPL loss in the far seats.