Hello
Please could anyone advise me whether we (a flute duo) need amplification to play at a wedding - in a small hall, then in a garden, then in a marquee. We are the background music.
Thank you
Do we need amplification to play at a wedding?
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
Re: Do we need amplification to play at a wedding?
Depends on the size of the hall, for indoors, and whether the room itself is very 'live'. Also depends on how many bodies in the room as bodies absorb sound as well. In a large dead sounding hall with a large crowd, the answer is likely 'yes' to amplification. A small hall with good acoustics and not so many people would probably be a 'no'. Try to get a look at the the hall you're playing in, and even play a little if possible. Allow for some deadening from the bodies, and see what you think...
As for outdoors, there is a basic 4 to 1 rule with regards to sound: You need 4 times the power/strength of presence for the equivalent sound that you would expect to produce indoors. Therefore, I'd suggest planning on amplification. Might not be needed, but the difference between just enough and empty sounding is very small at times. As background music, you might get away with it, but if you have access to gear, it would be wise to have it on hand.
The marquee will also absorb some sound, as well as adding rustling if it's windy. Could go either way for that one, once again depending on size and numbers. This is probably the hardest of the three, IMHO, to get a good sound, especially on a windy day. Once again, I'd have gear on hand, and make the call on the day.
Overall, probably no to needing it in the hall (a small hall), possibly yes to the garden, and probably yes to the marquee, depending on the background noise. Hope that helps a little...
As for outdoors, there is a basic 4 to 1 rule with regards to sound: You need 4 times the power/strength of presence for the equivalent sound that you would expect to produce indoors. Therefore, I'd suggest planning on amplification. Might not be needed, but the difference between just enough and empty sounding is very small at times. As background music, you might get away with it, but if you have access to gear, it would be wise to have it on hand.
The marquee will also absorb some sound, as well as adding rustling if it's windy. Could go either way for that one, once again depending on size and numbers. This is probably the hardest of the three, IMHO, to get a good sound, especially on a windy day. Once again, I'd have gear on hand, and make the call on the day.
Overall, probably no to needing it in the hall (a small hall), possibly yes to the garden, and probably yes to the marquee, depending on the background noise. Hope that helps a little...