There is no pre-mediation to this post... Just some observations I've seen over the years and yes its true I've stood on both sides of the glass/stage whatever and outside of God the most important person in the room is your sound person. ( didn't God say he who has ears...) I've seen great sound people make mediocre bands rock the room and I've seen bad sound people ruin a great experience.
So what are 5 things that will hork off a sound guy or gal?
• Be Condescending._ The sound person is an important part of the team. Remember that. They are part of the band. They are part of the teaching. Treat them with respect. They deserve it.
• Be late. When you are in a portable situation every minute counts. When you are late you cause the other people around you to not be able to give you their best. So be a pro. Be on time. ( meaning be ready to play when your supposed, not just in the building somewhere)
• Don't learn to listen_ I'm always amazed at musicians that have never learned to listen... to a monitor mix or spend their whole life in "more me" land. Learn to Listen. Learn to understand what you need to hear and how to communicate it quickly. Learn to play even if you can't hear anything.
• Inconsistent levels._ If you are sending the FOH or monitor guy multiple signals ( ala keyboards or guitar) then spend the necessary time it takes to pre-mix your tones so your levels are consistent. Nothing is worse than getting a -18 piano tone and then 2 bars later getting -.05 horn stab.
• Unplug while your channel is hot/Tap on or Blow into the mic while yelling "is this on"...I can't hear it?... Is yours working?"...Stand on stage playing Sweet Home Alabama or banging your toms or cymbals. Get your gear around, get comfortable and then either get off stage or stand their quietly and wait for the sound person to let you know what they need.
- Don't say thanks at the end of Worship/The set/The gig.( yeah I know its six but it's my blog:) )
It all boils down to love and respect. The bottom line for a sound person is to remember they are in the house to serve everyone else and the bottom line for everyone else is to remember that the person riding the faders is a member of the team and deserves as much respect and honoring as anyone else involved.
Tomorrow lets look at what sound guys do to drive musicians nuts.
It's Brent's wife here. I sing on the worship team and we have a player who decided to turn up his bass rig/cab (whatever y'all call it) right when the set started last night. It about vibrated me off the front of the stage. He turned it down when asked during rehearsal and up it went when no one could do a thing about it...Aaahhhh!!!! What is THAT?! And yes, it frustrated our sound guy...But NOT me...clearly ;)
Posted by: Tam | September 06, 2007 at 12:44 PM
Oh my goodness. I am married to a sound guy who happens to also lead worship with me. That is too funny.
Posted by: Amy | September 07, 2007 at 01:39 AM
Hi Amy and Tam! Married to soundmen/Worship Leaders. You are BRAVE folks!
Posted by: Pete | September 07, 2007 at 05:01 PM
Its not so bad though - we're in ministry with them - so it's kind of cool that way!
Posted by: Tam | September 08, 2007 at 12:17 AM
Great thoughts, Pete. I would add a 7th, and that would be "Not knowing your instrument." This applies primarily to electric guitar, electronic drums and keys players.
It's not the sound guys job to figure out how your effects pedal works, or how to reprogram the drum kit (though if you're a church sound tech, I suggest learning).
Love the last "official" one. The other sound guys and I constantly remark, "What is it with drummers, they can't just sit still." Very funny.
Posted by: Mike | September 14, 2007 at 04:18 PM
Great thoughts, Pete. I would add a 7th, and that would be "Not knowing your instrument." This applies primarily to electric guitar, electronic drums and keys players.
It's not the sound guys job to figure out how your effects pedal works, or how to reprogram the drum kit (though if you're a church sound tech, I suggest learning).
Love the last "official" one. The other sound guys and I constantly remark, "What is it with drummers, they can't just sit still." Very funny.
Posted by: Mike | September 14, 2007 at 04:19 PM