[Johnd]

I’m interested in other observations on this topic. I go to the squares several times a month to take advantage of the free entertainment. The quality of the sound system and the engineers tuning the system to the performers is very uneven square to square. My observations are based on the setups for Uncle Bob’s Rock Shop. I picked them because they have a fairly complicated combination of microphones, amplifiers, wha-wha pedals and other cut ins.

Spanish Springs has the best sound system and the most consistent engineers. Part of the system quality may be due to the renovations of a couple of years ago. Nevertheless, this system is crisp and the sound is omnidirectional. The iPad tuneup by the engineer usually adds to the overall quality. They never seem to use too much bass or volume.

Lake Sumter is second best. This system is not omnidirectional with a noticeable quality drop-off to the sides and a big drop off to the rear of the stage. The iPad tuneup’s here are just as likely to make the sound worse as better. I did hear it once when it was nearly perfect so it can be done.

Brownwood is worst and worst by a large amount. The sound starts falling off about 5° off either side of the stands. It’s virtually a different system at 90° to the stage. Sound quality starts off mushy and indistinct. Almost always, the engineers iPad tuneup makes it worse. There must be a sign in the control booth that says all tweaks are made better by earsplitting volume and pumped up bass. It’s really a mystery how the most recently installed system can be so bad.

[justjim]

We go to the Squares Occasionaly and I thought each band brought their own equipment and that could make a difference. I admit---have no clue---as its free (sort of as somebody pays) and It's not the sound at Brownwood so much as the set-up and stage is so different from Spanish Springs and Lake Sumter Landing.

Brownwood was designed to be different for sure.

[perrjojo]

We went to Brownwood a few weeks back for Bobby Blackmon and they didn't get the sound working until 8:00. Very frustrating for the band and audience.
Another time we went and were walking toward the square from parking the music sounded great but once in front of the stage it was terrible.

[bandsdavis]

I have played in the Squares with 3 For the Road on many occasions. The sound systems in the 3 squares are quite different. The sound people who work in the squares often rotate from place to place, so it is not just them, although some are better than others. Brownwood is an entirely different set up than the other 2. It is essentially unidirectional, while the other 2 are omnidirectional. The "grandstand effect" of Brownwood which tends to increase echo, increases the difficulty of getting a good sound to the dance area. Also remember that every band has a different desire as to how they think they should sound, which adds to the complexity for the sound person.