Tips for a better live sound show!

What's live sound? Live sound is essentially setting up and running a sound-system for a type of performance, whether it be musical or theatrical.

Sometimes it only involves a couple of speakers and a microphone for conferences, other times it involves a huge P.A. system complete with separate monitor mixing stations and backline. Whatever the case is, there's always a need for a sound-technician of some sort to run it. 

For me, setting up and mixing concerts is extremely enjoyable. It's one of my favorite aspects of the audio industry. Sure, it has a lot of heavy lifting and horrible hours but being a part of a band's great performance comes second to none. 

It combines the working class attitude with an artistic mentality. You have to be on top of things when it comes to equipment malfunctioning but also be able to appreciate and enhance a musician's soulful performance.

Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit? If you love sound reinforcement and want to start your own business, there are many great ways you can set up a live sound business. One of them, is getting yourself a portable sound system and running sound whenever you want, wherever you want!

After you pack and set up for a live event, you need to be able to listen your PA speakers correctly. Check out how to test PA speakers with your favorite CDs, using your love of music to calibrate different sound system.

There are a few different roles to play in the sound reinforcement industry.

FOH - Front of House sound mixers

These are the people you see in the sheds at the back of the venue fiddling with buttons. They are controlling the sound you hear.

• 7 Live Sound Mixing Tips
• Using Wireless Microphones - What Could Go Wrong?

Monitor mixers

These guys usually stay at the side or back of the stage helping the band with the on-stage sound. They control the monitors that make the band hear themselves.

• A guide to monitor mixing a rock band with a brass orchestra
  
• 5 ways to make your next monitor mix run smoothly
• Using the graphic equalizer to it's full potential.

For a different monitoring experience, consider using in ear monitors on your next gig.

The runners

These are the roadies. I like to call them runners because when something goes wrong on stage they come running to fix it. Roadies also play a vital role when setting up the sound systems. These are usually the worst paid and overworked people of the whole crew. But they still love what they are doing, because there is a certain vibe to working with huge P.A.s and even bigger bands.

• Dealing with the artist, whatever your job is
• Packing for a gig, essential equipment
• A sound-tech's struggle against groundhum

From my experiences in the sound reinforcement industry, I am able to give you a fair amount of tips and useful articles related to a broad variety of subjects regarding everything in sound reinforcement. From gig planning and relationship building to monitor mixing big bands and FOH mixing tips, these articles are here for your enjoyment although I hope you can learn from them as well.

Tell us your live sound stories!

I'd love to hear your stories and experiences with live sound. Whether you're a die hard sound-tech with loads of experience or a band that's had to deal with shitty sound-techs, tell us here!

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