Who needs sound engineering lessons? Learning to engineer sound for a band – like many things – looks deceptively simple.
Plug in, turn on, turn up – right?
Then you find you get feedback, things don’t sound so clear, and what order should you set everything up anyway? It’s time to get some sound engineering lessons.
You might like to see my page on Advice for Running Sound for a Band first. That’ll give you my generic starting tips.
What Do I Need to Learn About Sound Engineering?
OK, so here are some of the things I can teach people about live sound engineering. You can also learn a lot about these topics online, from other bands and musicians, or sometimes in college. More often I just fill in the gaps, build on what you know, or show how you can apply the concepts for your band!
- Different microphone types and which ones suit you (I can let you try alternatives from my set)
- Minimising feedback
- What a DI box does and why you might need one
- Differences when mixing on a digital mixer
- Sound mixer concepts (basics)
- Gain staging and levels
- Signal flow
- How to EQ inputs and outputs
- How to set up mixes/busses for monitoring and effects
- Monitoring on headphones
- Sound mixer concepts (next level)
- Setting up and monitoring compressors
- Gates and expanders
- Mute groups
- Sound mixer concepts (taking more control)
- Setting up and using DCAs
- Setting up and using groups
- Saving and recalling scenes and settings
- Setting up a mixer in a real sound check
- Setting up and testing your PA system
- Layout/positioning
- Different cables
- PA check
- Line checks
- Equipment management (inc. cable care and labelling)
- Radio mic configuration
- Working with other acts, service providers and bookers
- Creating your stage plot
- Understanding your required specification
This list is mostly focused on the gig itself. The whole lifecycle of a booked gig is a bit more extensive, see what does a live sound engineer do?
Get In-Person One-to-One Sound Engineering Lessons
If you’re in Devon and would like sound engineering lessons to learn more about sound engineering for live music or other live events, contact me.
Every session is bespoke, so I need to find out what you want to learn. I like to teach in a practical way with demonstration, but will also draw on a whiteboard if we have concepts to build on.
I can bring equipment to try or help with the sessions, for example:
- Does a more expensive mic help? Let’s listen to both
- Would better speakers help? Let’s compare out loud
- Would a better mixer help? Let’s build a mix on both
Generally, I’ll come to your location in Devon, especially Exeter, Torbay or Plymouth.
