properly during the changeover, the headlining artist started their set, and the singer couldn’ t hear herself in her in-ears- and I got nothing but feedback on stage from the monitor that was still patched. That was an error that had a lengthy impact, and I didn’ t soon forget it- and continued forever after to urge my team to take many notes and double check their work( and I also had to triple check their work for a while after too).
I’ ll admit, at times, the paperwork seemed redundant, especially on shows with 4-5 consistent and relatively simple bands with the same setup, and where everyone was sharing on backline... but I always felt better knowing we had a plan that had been noted and tested out during sound checks. Of course, there were times where we didn’ t get to sound check every band, which meant we had to“ roll with the punches” on that band, and I had to sound check them with a live audience, but at least there were more times than not that we went in prepared- and therefore less stressed, and with less mistakes.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The goal isn’ t perfection- because perfection is impossible. The goal is to be able to walk away knowing truthfully and without a doubt that you did your very best work at the things within your control and couldn’ t have done anything better. That was always my goal, and it’ s my best advice I could give anyone as a live sound engineer. Take notes before, during, and after. Ask questions of the artist, worship leader, or the production manager depending on the gig. Communicate openly and directly with your team. Be as prepared as you can be going into any and every show- and you’ ll thank yourself for it later.
Erin Parisi A 15-year sound engineer and lifelong musician, DJ, and music producer. Erin is recently focused on marketing within pro-audio distribution and continues to work within the music industry, supporting many of her favorite brands for studio, live sound, and home Hi-Fi gear, mixing shows on weekends, and performing her own music around the world.
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