A Live Sound Training Template

How does one train a live sound engineer? Over the past twelve years and several hundred students I have developed a step by step method that I feel can function as a template for any company, club, school or church. In this presentation I will take you through the steps that I use, all you have to do is plug in your own specific content and adjust the level of detail to one that is appropriate for your trainees.
Bookmarks for video:
00:00 Intro
3:44 Course Overview
3:57 The System Approach
6:40 Microphones
16:16 DI boxes
20:18 Cables and connectors
21:57 Audio Mixers
29:52 System Processing
31:05 Amplifiers
32:03 Loudspeakers
33:44 Practical Sessions
44:32 Troubleshooting
This video is dedicated to Joni G, whose recent question inspired me to pull all of this info out of my brain and commit it to PowerPoint ;)
Narration for this video was recorded using an Audio-Technica AE5100.
Support GLB Productions: / glbproductions
My Amazon Store: astore.amazon.com/glbpro-20
Ways to get in touch - I love hearing from my viewers!
Website: glbproductions.com/
Facebook: / glbproductions

[@juergen_b]

This is gold! Bruno, thank you very much for this excellent training template. I wish, I could attend one of your trainings, you are such a good teacher!

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Jurgen - maybe one day!

[@wpbuilding442]

I wish I could just click on the "thumbs up" button a million times, because I would!!! Thank you for YOU!!!!

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome :)

[@tgnaweb]

This video is all I need to start teach the base of live sound to my worship team. I really appreciate your availability to help all of us.

[@GLBProductions]

Excellent! Hope your training goes well! Let me know if you have further questions.

[@jayjayripoff]

Hi there Bruno, I have followed your content for about 5 years, and this video was one of the first instructional videos on sound engineering I treated as kind of 'the word' on it, as I started putting myself out as a sound engineer locally. Frequently I have come back to many of your videos for guidence and to refresh my memories. Obviously the lock down here in the UK, as with all over the world, took it's toll on my ventures into live sound, and I took to guitar/amp repairs instead while I sat at home. Recently I have started back playing in a band again, and as I've had a history of helping set up events, helping with backline and sound at gigs and festivals, the duties of running the band PA have fallen to me. I am actually really enjoying it and am quite up for been that guy in the band. We all have a bit of history playing in bands, one guy has 40 years, I have 20, but one of the members has only been playing for about 3-4 years. There has been some tensions between the most and least experienced members, one wants to set up all our gear once before every gig, the other doesn't understand why it can't just be switched on and just work like it did the last gig. In an effort to ease both their minds, and to help speed up the set up (the previous member I replaced usually brought so much equipment they would take a few hours to set up for a small pub gig, a new digital PA system was bought to streamline this) I came in and started drawing up stage plans, writing input and output lists and creating a set up procedure, deligating various tasks to each band member. This has helped boost their confidence that wether or not we do a trial set up, we are able to get set up quickly, and I will be able to get us up and running and sounding great come show time, regardless. However, I still feel the polar opposite opinions of the 2 band members may actually stem from a perception that sound engineering and mixing is a big, complicated and specialized process. A lack of understanding that it can be broken down to smaller parts, and is a skill that can be learnt. I found myself coming back to this video once again, with a thought of 'if only they could just find the time to watch something like this. take it in, they may see that they can learn to do this also'. It's not actually scary. I then started typing, following your template and presentation, pause, type, play, ect. Before I knew it, I've essentially typed up this video's content to a PDF today. And I just wanted to ask, is that ok? I have put that it is 'By Bruno Luse, GLB Productions' and titled it identical to the video. I think it looks pretty useful, as I go through the list I can discuss a little bit about each topic, and see where/what I'm discussing next, and then I can direct them some of your accompanying videos for further research. Thank you for your invaluable resource over the last 5 years, best wishes to you brother.

[@GLBProductions]

Sure Jay, no problem at all - in fact that's precisely why I put this video together 😄 Your approach sounds logical and hopefully with some training and patience your band members will begin to see that being a sound engineer is much like being a musician - there are different levels of ability and proficiency but at the end of the day it is something that almost anyone can learn. I have taught students from teenagers to housewives to retirees and have yet to find somebody who couldn't at least learn how to plug in mics, set gain and push up faders 😅

[@lamarcy]

I want to thank you for your time, knowledge and willingness to share all this valuable information with us. I've seen other videos that try to explain all this information, but you are the best!!!! Thanks Thanks Thanks!!!👍👍👍👍👍

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome, hope you put the information to good use!

[@NoMoosic1]

Thankful for your series of videos. I've been in church music ministry since the old Shure VocalMaster days - and here we are transitioning to digital mixing! Your videos are a great help as I train and retrain newbies as well as "veteran" volunteers. God bless.

[@GLBProductions]

Great to hear that Stephen, let me know if you ever have specific questions about training :) Doing sound in church is a unique setting and requires a specific skill set.

[@xnahetu]

Great content. Been working on a training formula. Ive been training audio engineers for about 4 years now and have come at it from a lot of angles. I will be listening to this again.

[@GLBProductions]

Glad to hear that! The more of us there are teaching and training the less bad sound there will be :)

[@multitechaudiovisualinc.3889]

Thank you so much for sharing. I have been asked to teach a basic live sound course to some young musicians and this is going to help tremendously. I've been doing live sound for 30 years but teaching it is a completely different story. Yourstructured template will help me a great deal organising my course. Cheers.

[@GLBProductions]

You're most welcome, the more people we can educate the better!

[@bereantrb]

Very well done. Not only is it useful as a training template for others but also as an outline for my own personal study. Very much appreciated.

[@GLBProductions]

You're most welcome, thanks for watching!

[@fallingbubbles2479]

Thanks so much Bruno! This has helped so much! i am a secondary school aged sound engineer. I volunteer for my school and am lead engineer at my school's annual concert. For the past few years i have been put in charge of training but haven't been great at it. this has really helped and i hope the training this year will be better. I now know a good method for training! Thank you o much!

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome! Glad the video was helpful. Have you ever asked your school to engage or at least consult with a professional sound engineer to do some training for your team? Money spent on good training is always money well spent!

[@hypham558]

Thanks for your time and this is great lesson.

[@sherwindiego9197]

Thankyou sir! So much respect for doing this thing, badly needed for our church! God bless you!

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Sherwin, all the best with your training!

[@johnphirimackson9377]

Thank you very much for these videos Sir. Continue helping Us and God bless you 🙏🏾

[@GLBProductions]

You're most welcome John, glad they have been helpful.

[@LostNF0und]

Thanks for your videos Bruno! You've been a huge help as a learning resource!

[@GLBProductions]

Great to hear that! If you would like to support the channel please consider signing up to become a patron at www.patreon.com/glbproductions?ty=h Every little bit helps!

[@Mr_A_Mia]

another phenomenal video of yours i happen to stumble upon...EXCELLENT!

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks Alberto!

[@frankthomas8782]

Thank you for this tutorial. I'm an entry level engineer and producer and all of your videos have been essential for transitioning from "in the box" to the "live sound" game.

[@GLBProductions]

That's great news Frank - keep learning and all the best with your music!

[@jondoyle44]

Bruno, 🙏 I don't know how to thank you for your excellent youtube video advice. I've watched so many of your videos and they are simply outstanding... 👍

[@GLBProductions]

@@jondoyle44 You're welcome Jon, thanks for the comment. If you'd like to support the channel you can do so on Patreon - link in the description and video card :)

[@CrisValk]

Great advices Bruno,the vid is longer than usual but I watched it till the very end!Needless to say,the first part reminded me of the audio course I did some time ago...keep up the good work!

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks Chris, hope the content was helpful to you :)

[@UpaiSemaring2112]

Wow. How thankful i am to come across this video. I am currently working for a church in Indonesia and am currently developing curriculums of different levels for church. This video really helps me on so many levels. Thank you and be blessed!

[@GLBProductions]

Great news! Be sure to post some of your training videos in Bahasa Indonesia :D

[@subhashsoundmakrana4430]

Nice

[@johnisika1663]

Thank you very much sir bruno it really helps me out...

[@olanrewajuadagba1291]

I thank you so much for this tutorial.

[@gisantos3060]

Very useful and valuable info simply put together here!

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks GI, glad it was helpful!

[@russellmccallum3606]

Another great training video- Thank You !!!

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome!

[@domingohernandezk]

Very good job Bruno, FIVE STARS FOR YOU

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks for watching!

[@preetamsingh5792]

Excellent tutorial and wonderful tutor

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks for watching Preetam :)

[@Kingdombusiness1999]

Very Powerful template. Good job done

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks for watching :)

[@morenongrabbit]

Very informative. Thanks for this slide. More power to you.

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome :)

[@pindopurba]

Right, gonna use this for the team training. Thanks!

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome - hope your training goes well!

[@dsouzalester8]

Thank you it was really useful...

[@ebmshelia]

Thank you. This was helpful to me too. Thanks

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks for watching!

[@sofroniomina3826]

im watching your A Live Sound Training Template. its very helpful

[@GLBProductions]

Glad to hear that!

[@sonuscordoba]

Man! Just seen this. I'm from Argentina and this is Awesome. Great great job.

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks for watching, greetings from Singapore!

[@jilsyjacob4482]

Thanks for the wonderful tips. Really loving it. Easy to catch up. Looking to hear from you more. Add more tutorials in other sections also like connections and delaying speaker's. Rigging also.

[@eldumalag]

thanks to you sir for more info.

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome!

[@tilakpatel2743]

This is soooo helpful.. I am in a very similar situation.. Thanks alot Bruno :)

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@worknehassefa1373]

I would like to learn more from you if you were in UK. But steel I gain a lot of knowledge about sound from you. Thank you very much.

[@GLBProductions]

You're most welcome! There are many skilled and knowledgeable sound engineers in the UK, seek them out :)

[@amezianhellejunior8633]

Tanks my dear this is helpful to me i'm Edoh-yaovi from Africa

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Amezian!

[@amezianhellejunior8633]

@@GLBProductions tanks

[@itayfx]

You're the best! Thank you!!

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Itay 😊

[@banbhasawkmie9291]

Hello Sir Bruno I really thank GOD for you & your ministry. I've been blessed alot by your channel n educational videos through which I've been able to carry out my ministry in serving the church as a sound man. I'm always trying to get the best possible sound in church where ever I serve behind the desk (mixer). Can you please make a video on how to setup and connect power amps to line arrays in live sound for best results. Once again thank you so much. GOD BLESS YOU.

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks for your support! Which line array system do you have in your church?

[@chrisfox6843]

Thank you. Great video. It's not as good as having a band there to train with, but we've just started recording multi track songs to a laptop and play them back later. We can practice during the week when no one is there so it's not a big deal if you screw something up the middle of a song.

[@GLBProductions]

Yes that's a great idea - some mixers even have a 'virtual soundcheck' mode where you can literally mix without the band there.

[@martysradioshow5979]

Thank you sir bruno

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Robert!

[@48snapper]

Greetings Bruno Many thanks to you and Joni G for this brilliant idea. I look after the a/v setup for a village community centre - and need to train people too. I see that you mostly refer to Sound Re-enforcement rather than PA. For me a much better term. Many people I deal with seem to feel the audio must be booming out at all times, otherwise they perceive it as not working properly. We deal with speech mostly. I think if one can go to any part of the room - and hear the person just as if they were standing next to you - that is success. Best wishes

[@GLBProductions]

I completely agree with you ;) There are many different styles of sound reinforcement but I feel that the objective of all of them should be balance first and volume second.

[@Gfivex]

Thanks sir....love from India...

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@HaharuRecords]

Imagine when the Priests also become audio engineers of the Church after watching this videos...I have an electric feeling....Thats how good he explains

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks for watching!

[@edoardosanti5510]

Bruno, thanks a lot, I love this video. Can you publish a power point presentation with the same things inside, please? I would really appreciate that.

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome, glad the video was helpful. The idea is that you then create your own powerpoint presentation with the info specific to your church, band or school. I'm not going to do all the work for you ;)

[@edoardosanti5510]

Ok, i'll probably create it this summer, thank you very much.

[@olanrewajuadagba1291]

Thank you once again. How do I assign each channel to the main output ??

[@lukegoughmusic5032]

Great breakdown and explanations for understanding the structure of running a live sound workshop! Thankyou. is the a powerpoint file? or PDF available to download?

[@GLBProductions]

Glad it was helpful! There is no PP - the idea is that you customise this framework to your own needs and requirements :)

[@christianonyeso5990]

Thank you Mr. Bruno for educating me. I am in charge of my church sound system...Pls how to I lay hand on full comprehensive training video on sound engineering from A - Z? God bless you

[@GLBProductions]

Try the Exploring Sound Reinforcement DVD from Yamaha.

[@corkynet]

Hi Bruno, I have watched almost all of your videos and gained a lot of knowledge from them, thank you for that. My community's PA system includes a 12 year old Peavey PV14 mixer, the mixer doesn't have PFL buttons and I am quite puzzeled with how to set up gain. I would very much appreciate your insight on how to set up gain with the absence of PFL buttons. Tamir

[@GLBProductions]

Oh yes I hate mixers like that! In order to simulate the function of the PFL button, set both channel and master faders to unity gain - this will allow you to see the incoming signal without any fader attenuation. Then set gain in the normal manner.

[@corkynet]

Thanks

[@myrnacasillan3061]

Kindly please write the connection to each other accessories or equipment that was discussed. Like you did in frequency bands.

[@salvadorandal9009]

Very wellsaid

[@marktuovinen3888]

1 dislike? What an idiot! This video is so awesome! Thanks Bruno...God Bless!

[@GLBProductions]

Some people are just different you know? ;) Thanks for watching, Mark!

[@carlb.3082]

Great video! Thank you so much!. I have a question and I hope you or somebody else here could help me since I've never been to a Music school, all I know was self learned. It has happened to me that when a band is playing, specially loud ones, sometimes I get audio reduction in my speakers, like, when the vocalist screams, or the bass/guitar player strokes a note "powerfully", all other instruments disappear from the audio range for a second. I think it has something to do with the mixing volumes or the main output, maybe with speakers power compression or even the gain levels but I don't know if there's an specific reason. Hope someone can answer this! Thanks!

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks CB. What's going on is there is some sort of compressor or limiter across the entire mix: when it is triggered by something much louder than the rest of the signals, it reacts by tuning down the entire mix, which means that everything else but the triggering signals appears to drop out, because they are typically 6-10dB softer. The system is protecting itself but in a very audible way.

[@dksound6602]

Thank you very much! Sir kindly please tell me How i mixing in live sound aux sub feeds for punch and tight bass

[@GLBProductions]

Watch my video on how to connect an active subwoofer.

[@banbhasawkmie9291]

Actually the thing is this; we dont have line array speakers in our church at the moment but once our church building (aka Revival Prayer Centre) is completed i'm planning to install line array speaker system provided the church has sufficient budget. Anyway I trust that God will provide for a proper system. So far I havn't done LSR with line arrays yet. So I would requice some basics n also important tips on line array setup n speaker n amps choice from your part...

[@GLBProductions]

The thing to understand about line array systems is that they all need to be set up using computer modelling software that is quite complex and specific to each particular model of array - you can't just hang them up and expect good results. Unless you are planning on having a professional install and calibrate your system I wouldn't go with a line array.

[@banbhasawkmie9291]

do you mean tuning the system using pink noise?

[@banbhasawkmie9291]

I've come across a sofware called "Smart" and also used it in tuning FOH using Graphic Equilizer... Is that what you mean by set up using computer modelling software?

[@banbhasawkmie9291]

Thank you Sir for your initiative

[@banbhasawkmie9291]

Thank you for your response...

[@rocu406]

Thanks Bruno. Do you have the outline used for this video posted somewhere?

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome ro cu - what do you mean by 'outline'?

[@Katan-agi_outdoor]

Hi sir, can you do a tutorial on mixer like the mgp24x yamaha

[@GLBProductions]

I have done a video on a previous version of this mixer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZzcfZt3rLuEmLc

[@utubehound69]

I tried to train many ppl at churches I even wrote a small book w/signal flows & very basic things about gain staging all laid out w/ pictures & diagrams…but they never read it or really listen to instruction. They don't understand it's not a set & forget , there is a way to power up & power down the system even w/Instructions on main control center to power amps crossovers…on stage/behind stage on both ends & they would do it wrong every time.

[@GLBProductions]

I have the same issue here - training a live sound engineer is a long process and it takes lots of reminders and corrections before they become proficient. I would allow about 6 months to train an absolute beginner to the point where they can handle church services by themselves.

[@vimalchakkaravarthy8299]

Can you help me in operating our church digital mixer qu 32 we bought it recently ..we are not able to use to the full confused of the technology

[@vimalchakkaravarthy8299]

Can you share your what’s app no

[@videocasetteTV]

Excellnet tutorial, may you create in depth explantion for the yamha olv 96 mixer

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks for watching.

[@pj9565]

Hi bruno, i have watched most of your mixing tutorials. There's a problem which we face during church worship...we set all our input n output properly as it was shown in your tutorials but while worship begins and the whole band performs we have noticed that suddenly sound saturates which doesn't give out clear output. Could you please give a solution for the same?

[@GLBProductions]

That is usually due to a room that is very reverberant - does your church have lots of hard/parallel walls and/or a low ceiling?

[@pj9565]

Ohh yes, there should be some solution as it's an infrastructural issue.. could you pls guide?

[@GLBProductions]

I suggest you investigate getting some acoustic treatment for your church - this does not have to be hugely expensive but it must be done correctly. Get in touch with your local recording/radio studios and ask them for some contacts. The idea is to reduce the amount of reverberation in the room without deadening it completely. The person you hire must have experience working with live performance spaces such as churches and theatres.

[@banbhasawkmie9291]

Lately at a church conference held outdoors I saw that my friend who is a sound engineer power a system of array speakers (12inch or 10 inch, m nt sure) , 6 speakers on each side with just two about 3- 5thousand watts amps & powering 4 subs on eachside with two about 5- 7thousand watts apms. When I inquired about the connections, he said he did parallel connections only. Whats your say on that...??? I mean is it proper what he's doing?. Isn't there too much load on the amps?

[@GLBProductions]

Parallel connections (as opposed to serial) are standard in live sound. It's fine for the amps as long as you do your calculations correctly.

[@chongshenchang9197]

Sir, I have two speakers of 150 watts,8ohms each and two amplifiers of 40w and ssa250m,Ahuja and 6 channels mixer in our church. I'm using 4 mics and a keyboard. But I'm not being able to adjust the sound to my satisfaction .can u explain me how to link or connect them correctly? Also can I link those two amplifiers into one single amp so that I get higher output.Are they good if I know how to adjust and connecting them?

[@chongshenchang9197]

Sir, I've visited many tutorials, but you're the best. I like the way you explain in detail and the quality of your voice is absolutely clear. And Sir, can you suggest me a nice mic for a group of choir. Right now I'm using XLR 90/98 etc..

[@johnlukereyes8055]

Hi good day, im from the philippines,just wanna ask how can i combined my 4speakers, two of them are polk audio 8ohms with 100 watts/ speaker and the two of them are infinity 6ohms 75 watts/speaker, what should i do to combined them in an integrated amplifier with 105watts should i add a power amplifier? With how many watts i need for the power amp.? Thank you😃

[@GLBProductions]

Please watch my video on this subject: kzbin.info/www/bejne/omqvaKiBbL2sZtk

[@shihabkunjani7070]

next video sound training practical video

[@gisantos3060]

How loud should a guitar/bass amp be on stage?

[@GLBProductions]

It depends on whether the amp is used as a monitor for just the player, the entire stage or the entire room. If the amp is just for the player to hear themselves it can be relatively soft. On the other hand if it needs to cover the entire room (as in a small club) then it needs to be set louder. Each situation is unique and amp level needs to be worked out in consultation with the musicians and producer/manager.

[@Elior1030]

so, if I use all active speakers, I don't need a amplifier; is that right?

[@GLBProductions]

Correct!

[@aboalthoq]

0:56 you are speaking to me i work in school

[@GLBProductions]

Glad to hear that!

[@iosiapati6003]

How can I split high mid low on speakers from mixer to amplifiers.. Help pls. Thanks

[@GLBProductions]

You need to use device called a crossover - I have a video on this subject coming up in the next couple of months, stay tuned.

[@iosiapati6003]

ok thanks

[@phinehassteve8808]

Hello. I am in Kenya. How to USE digital Snake box. WITH Sound Craft compact

[@GLBProductions]

When your purchase the digital snake it will come with detailed instructions on how to set it up.

[@shivabeatsofficial3772]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@suafaifua3718]

Halow, how to set up the church band, our system is YAMAHA, our system siting at the back, how to connect the spikers

[@GLBProductions]

Take a look at this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKK3on1qr7R9gLc

[@kervensmartin]

Is there a PDF file for this video?

[@GLBProductions]

No - the idea is that you customise it to your requirements.

[@emadsalib6915]

Where is the course? It is all about topics

[@GLBProductions]

It's a template for you to create your own training course.

[@christopherweeratunga3554]

Any books you can refer to

[@GLBProductions]

I usually recommend "Live Sound Reinforcement" by Scott Hunter Stark

[@christopherweeratunga3554]

GLB Productions thank you

[@sofroniomina3826]

hi good day. can you suggest a condenser microphone. i will use it on an choir in my school. thank you very much

[@GLBProductions]

What's your budget?

[@sofroniomina3826]

middle budget only. how much is the max price.

[@GLBProductions]

I would suggest the Audio Technica AE5100

[@sofroniomina3826]

Thank you very much sir. one more thing pls recommend a wireless microphone for a big gymnasium

[@Schnazola]

May I call you "Mentor"?

[@GLBProductions]

Surely not Joe - I'm just another sound engineer learning new things each day just like you are :)

[@joshielectronicsoundsarwar3084]

Hindi m vidio bnao