How I Run A Soundcheck

Get better mixes, faster with my 3-step guide to perfect EQ:
www.offshoreaudio.no/eq
Soundcheck is the key to a successful gig, and I've got you covered. Join me in this video where I break down the essentials of soundcheck, ensuring you not only get through it but nail it every time. From initial setup to the all-important line check, and from crafting the perfect monitor mix to making in-ear monitors your best friend, I'll walk you through each crucial step. Don't just survive your soundcheck; thrive with confidence and deliver an unforgettable performance

[@m.o.n.d.e.g.r.e.e.n]

doing a V/O into a 57 is such a great way of saying your a live sound engineer without saying it (this sounds like a put down or something but i mean it nicely/humorously)

[@gregorykusiak5424]

I’m encouraging every member of every band I work with to buy IEMs (wired or not) and bring their tablets, and recommend to install the app for mixing their own monitors. Connect them to the wifi and they can build their own mixes as I run my line checks, and then tweak them as they run a verse and chorus while I get the FoH mix together. It actually helps, for instance, to show that guitarist how one of his pedals is way above/below everything else, and they can do the work themselves to not shock their band mates or audience when they engage it. Another Important aspect of IEMs is ambience - to pop the bubbles they’ve created for themselves. I find that they either love to hear the band/stage sound with a bit of audience/room interaction and play better, and want it exclusively/predominantly, or they find it completely distracting/disorienting. One thing I’m starting to experiment with is input delays on channels- I’m finding very small amounts make FoH tighter, smoother and quieter, and they don’t fight with the leakage into their ears around their IEMs. It also helps with phase between (for example) the in/out bass drum mics and DI/mic lines of the bass…and I’m talking less than 1ms, under 48samples (at 48k). But not on everything. Nudging something to be a hair of a second “out” has helped make feedback notches more effective as well, as the room warms up/the stage cools down outdoors in the evening/over the course of the show, especially in odd/bad acoustical conditions. The key takeaways of this video - give the sound person the time to do their job well before the show so the band/performers can just focus on performing, and allow them the control to do what they need before the audience shows up.

[@MobMind]

I started doing live audio (Switching from studio based production) about a year ago and went from conference rooms all the too FOH at a pretty large venue. I appreciate what you're doing for people trying to learn live sound and the effort you put into these videos. Tonight i'm doing a gig for a 5 piece band and this video (like all your other videos) came in clutch so thank you.

[@OffshoreAudio]

Hey thanks so much! That's the exact path I took, I hope it's going well for you 😁

[@veronikariedl8951]

As a singer, this was very insightful and helpful to know 😃

[@OffshoreAudio]

Thanks! So glad it was helpful 🙂

[@LewisMcDonaldBass]

I’m glad you included advice for small rooms as well. I’m enjoying these videos as I’m currently regularly working a small room myself. Would love to get a gig in a larger space to see how different the job would be :)

[@OffshoreAudio]

Glad you like them! If you ask me bigger rooms are usually easier. Bigger distance between mics and speakers along with better PA usually means less feedback and more even sound. When you're working In a 100cap basement where all the equipment has been abused its like fighting the boss.

[@samvanreem3659]

deff was help full

[@grantmarshall1293]

I have front of house off and do in ear monitors first, get the band happy. I limit what inputs they get for in ear, but you said full mix. I have heard just give them enough to stay in time, hear transitions, etc. but they feel like they are in a recording studio just playing their part. Question; full mix in ear is a better strategy for the band than just lead instruments vocals, etc?

[@OffshoreAudio]

Cool. Whatever works works, if you've got a happy band on stage and great sound out front then I wouldn't worry to much about what I'm doing. I do FOH first because I got all my early experience with floor monitors and without IEMs the PA makes a huge difference in what performers hear. Similarly I've had a lot of people ask for everything in IEMs so I adopted that strategy and so far everyone is happy. So I'd say as long as you're happy and the band is happy then you're doing a great job!

[@soundgineering4771]

I was part of a band doing sound for them recently. I gave them IEMs with their dedicated Aux mix controls on the phones so that they could adjust their IEM needs by themselves. It required a lot of gadgets (and WiFying the devices), but they were happy and didn't ask for anything)@@OffshoreAudio

[@ReneAlexisPenalozaMunoz]

EQ should be used only when required. I see too many people EQing before even listening first. It's like adding salt and ppeper before eating your food.