Introduction to Live Sound Reinforcement, 2nd Edition

The Introduction to Live Sound Reinforcement, 2nd Edition is an accessible yet thorough guide designed for aspiring and early-career sound engineers who want to build a strong foundation in live audio. The book begins by grounding readers in essential acoustical theory — concepts like wavelength, frequency, the inverse-square law, decibels, phase, and polarity — presented in clear, understandable language. From there, it explores how environmental characteristics such as diffusion, reflection, absorption, and reverberation influence sound in real-world performance spaces. What sets this edition apart is its expanded coverage of modern digital audio workflows: it goes in-depth into digital networking, digital audio distribution, and how to incorporate these into live systems. Beyond the hardware, Boyce also provides practical, engineer-focused guidance on how to plan, execute, and manage a live sound session—from setup and tuning through to sound check and event breakdown. The writing is supported by comprehensive illustrations, making technical ideas easier to grasp and apply. Throughout, the book emphasizes both the art and science of live sound, helping readers not only understand how things work but also how to make them work musically and reliably in a live environment. Overall, this edition is positioned as a career-building resource: it equips readers with both conceptual understanding and practical skills, helping them create a stable, professional basis for future work in live sound.

Key aspects:

• Foundational Acoustics
• Room and Environmental Acoustics
• Live Sound System Components
• Digital Audio and Networking
• Practical Live Sound Workflow
• Illustrated Technical Explanations

Highlights:

• Beginner-friendly yet comprehensive
• Focus on real-world application
• Balanced blend of science and artistry
• Updated for modern technology
• Career-building resource
  

About Teddy Boyce

Teddy Boyce is an experienced live-sound engineer with nearly two decades of hands-on involvement in audio reinforcement, particularly through his work with choirs and ensembles in Canada’s National Capital Region. He holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Ottawa and has taught as a lecturer at Carleton University. Boyce is also active in professional development, having created courses on live sound engineering and led numerous seminars. In addition to his educational work, he contributes to the audio industry through research and development in digital wireless technology, and is a member of the Audio Engineering Society (AES)