[Adam Polidori]

After etensive of tweaking with limiters and compressors, I’ve finally gotten some more (perceived) volume out of SD2. You guys were spot on with your suggestions. I just didn’t realize at first how heavily raw drum sounds need to be processed to achieve a good sound that is usable in a live setting. Thanks for all your help everyone!

[Adam Polidori]

Hi RobJames! Thanks for the reply. I think setting the levels of Superior may be my problem because I’ve been able to eliminate all other issues. The mp3 is playing from the same computer as Superior and they are both outputting from my DAW to the powered speakers the same way which leads me to believe it’s not a hardware issue or connectivity.

I am still unable to figure out why I can’t get my drums as loud as the mp3s. When the mp3 is playing, it’s really loud and the powered speakers do not indicate clipping. When I play Superior Drummer, it’s clipping at the speakers and it’s not as loud as the mp3. I tried to suggestions from PlanetNine and also have used subwoofers with built in crossovers so the really low bass (under 100Hz) frequencies are not sent to the satellite speakers. Those Altos are rated at 800 watts peak (400 RMS) a piece. I think the drums should be crushingly loud with no clipping when I’m using 4 of them, right? Any ideas?

[Adam Polidori]

Planetnine, this is a HUGE help! Thanks so much. I’m gonna try this out. So, ultimately, my best bet is a bigger system, though?

So here’s my next question, if I buy two powered subwoofers, will this actually allow me to play the loudspeakers at higher volumes? I believe I read somewhere that subwoofers often have a crossover that sends the lows to the sub and sends only the mids/highs to the loudspeakers. If that’s the case, will the loudspeakers be able to output more volume before clipping because the low end of the signal is being handled by the subs?

I’m new to this whole live sound thing, so I hope this makes sense…

[Adam Polidori]

Thanks for the reply, Markiss!

Before getting the Alto 15″ self powered speakers, i got two JBL JRX125 with the QSC GX5. My altos are rated at 400 watts RMS a piece, and the JBLs were rated at 500 watts RMS a piece. Both setups had the same problem with superior drummer only. mp3s and any samples I’d run through the system would blow us out of the room, but superior drummer always clips at low volumes. (mp3s, samples, and superior drummer are all coming from the same source: my computer)

Is there something unique about how superior drummer outputs sound that makes it clip? Does it need to be set up a certain way to run into mixers and amps for live sound?
I recorded my band’s CD with the same settings and had no clipping issues.

[Author]

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