Problems of Sound Reinforcement in Large Halls

Large halls afford maximum opportunity for acoustical difficulties. High noise level, long‐delayed reflections, focusing, sound‐equipment limitations, and other factors are present. Program material, “including, but not limited to” everything from motorcycle races and bullfights to famous entertainers using dialect, with symphony as an added attraction, must be satisfactorily accommodated. There is opportunity for operators to misoperate, for press reviewers to devastate, and for local experts well versed in radio and television to improve the sound. Message constraint rarely exists, except in rock music where the levels are constrained to be high. The paper discusses practical measures which have been employed to alleviate some of these difficulties.