Re: Good guitarists getting bad advice...
John, there does seem to be more of a problem with SOS deployment. I disagree with the inference that it is the SOS as a reproduction means, but rather I would point to a lack of talent on the board, and that the band (and many audiences) have no idea of what things should sound like in a live environment.
SOS is not the devil here, just as racks and stacks are not the savior. Many of those SOS speakers may be "full range" systems, but would hardly stand up to a SMAART analysis as flat. That does not mean that they cannot be made to sound reasonably good with judiciously applied EQ. Using the three or four band on the mixer to fight off speaker problems and feedback leaves little resources to clean up the sound. Enough rig is also a player here.
Of course, that flat range problem is not unique to SOS systems. Any decent system will have been tuned carefully long before the band takes the stage. Look at all the DSP that is developed for specific, well known, respected loudspeakers. That leaves many tools to shape and optimize the sound, many of which are not even known about by many bands.
Add to that, many blues (or whatever) bands are running their own sound, or have their drinking buddy, Billy Bob, either "running the board", or just at the bar giving the thumbs up if it is ear-splitting enough. As a bonus, we can pay him in beer! Vocals? Who needs 'em? We know the words. By midnight, we're all singing along anyway. (10pm for Grateful Dead audiences)
Now, without Billy Bob, they are relegated to running sound from the stage. We all know how that turns out... The option of hiring a real soundman is not thought of, felt it is not needed, or an expense they cannot afford.
Bad equipment is indeed a large contributing factor, but most have no idea of what the EQ is for (let alone all the other knobs and buttons), and therefore are fearful to change anything. Center the knobs, plug it in, turn it on, and crank it to 11. One touring musician was "helping" a Billy Bob at the board and was saying to "always keep the EQ knobs between 11 o'clock and one. NEVER use more EQ than that."
Bottom line: Enough rig for the gig; talented BE; and talent enough to "run what you brung". Ability to make good lemonade is a must.
Drifted well OT - many apologies.
