I recently returned to my day job as Production Director for Northview Church after filling in for a friend for a few days on tour. Getting to mix for at several large festivals got me thinking about my early days behind the console and what I wished I had learned early on.
Whether you've been mixing for years, or this next weekend is your first time, please allow me to share some advice I have learned over the years. I don't promise this advice will make your mix sound better, but it will help as you engage with those around you at the console.
Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you're rolling your eyes at this point, stop it. We've all been there, not understanding something but not wanting to appear ignorant so we keep our mouths shut. All the while, our stress level increases. Don't get sucked into this. If you have a question, ask it. I had to constantly ask the house engineer at one of the festivals to help me. I've been mixing sound for about 18 years. I've mixed on the type of console that was in front of me many times. But he uses it everyday and I don't. He is naturally going to be faster than I am, so I asked for help. Secondly, questions also help with engagement; it lets those who are in charge know you're involved and eager to know more.
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare. Mixing is an art form: a creative expression and extension of the band. The guitar player isn't going to show up for service without having practiced and neither should you. Listen to the recording of the songs and really learn them. Make notes of instrument solos and vocal parts. That way you can flow with the song and not be constantly reacting to what you're hearing. For me, on worship nights, or when we have new songs on the weekend, I make a PowerPoint presentation (Keynote actually) on my iPad. I set it up on the console and each song has a slide. I use this to tell me key information I need to know for that song. I also notate what I need to prepare for in the next song.
Talk with the band and instill confidence in them. Even if you're shaking on the inside, play it cool. Get up on stage and talk to the guitar players about their tones, find out from the drummer how hard he hits, make sure the vocalists are good to go. All these things show them that you're prepared and part of the team.
Test your connections, cables, presets, and overall equipment – it is the easiest way to guarantee you don't look silly later. When setting up and wiring our stage, I make sure everything up the point of the musicians is functioning as I'd expect it to. Then, if there is a problem once rehearsal starts, nine times out of 10 I know I can start troubleshooting at the musician's gear.
Leave territory marking to the dogs. Quite often I come across guys whose whole identity is wrapped up in the sound booth. They have no interest in helping you, and take threat to your mere presence there. Don't become that guy … especially in the church. Keep an open mind to what others' experiences can bring to your mix. For example, I was talking with a friend a while back about how he EQs vocals. Like I said earlier, I've been mixing for years, and what he shared with me was something I had never done before, but now I do all the time. Open your booth to the next generation, or even the current one, maybe they don't have an ear for mixing, but you'll never know if you don't let them in.
If you haven't yet, you will experience the fact that the crowd only notices the sound guy when there is a problem. Or you will get a visit from the armchair sound engineer that feels the need to come out of the crowd and assist with the mix. Please hear me out, just brush that off and keep doing what you're doing. Don't become cynical and mad at the world.
Ask questions, make sure you're prepared, and move on if you're not enjoying it. Beyond learning the console and mix techniques, those are three key things I want all of my staff and volunteers to know and help them become successful audio engineers on the front end.
