Amplifying folk music

Folk music often needs amplifying. Some purists don't accept this, arguing that it's essentially acoustic music so electronic amplification is an unacceptable corruption. This romantic view is not realistic.

Modern circumstances dictate acceptance of the dreaded PA system for even the most authentically traditional folk music. In such venues as large noisy pubs, big concert halls and open-air festivals, unaided acoustic music would be futile. What's the point of presenting music to the public if the public can't hear it?

But there are important cnsiderations when it comes to using amplification for folk music - considerations often not appreciated even by professional sound engineers at established venues, especially those more used to pop music.

First there's the question of equalisation. For traditional acoustic folk instruments the best starting point is a completely flat setting, making slight adjustments only to correct any quirks of the room acoustics and perhaps to add a little warmth or presence. The v-shape graphic equaliser setting beloved of the pop engineers is disastrous for folk music.

Then there's power. What we're trying to achieve is sound reinforcement - making acoustic music clearly audible but remaining natural. Which means not too loud. But paradoxically the PA needs to be much more powerful for this than might be expected. A powerful amplifier system at a low volume setting will do the job far better than modest equipment working near its maximum.

Quality of microphones and other key parts of the system will also prove crucial - folk music needs higher fidelity than most pop, and often it's the mics and speakers which make the biggest difference to sound quality.

So far this has assumed we're talking about traditional acoustic folk instruments or the human voice, but similar considerations apply to electronic instruments in folk.

Electric string instruments and keyboards have long held a legitimate - even essential - place in many types of folk music. And if they'd been invented earlier they would undoubtedly have been seized on with relish by the founding fathers of our most ancient acoustic traditions.

With electric instruments the amplification gives the sound its character as well as its audibility, but within the folk genre it still needs using with care and taste.

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