Pro Audio Sound Tips #1

Here is the first of a series of Sound Tip videos where I will share kinds of cool stuff I have learned throughout my career as a sound engineer, sound technician, system designer and pro audio rental company owner.
The "Pro Audio Sound Tips #1" video provides several useful tips for achieving better sound quality at live events. These include creating a set of gated and non-gated drum channels, avoiding excessive adjustments without reason, and gradually increasing the reverb from house music to enhance contrast and connection with the audience. Other tips include using limiters and compression to avoid issues in highly reverberant venues, not relying too heavily on technology, and mixing from the ground level instead of a riser.
Dave Rat shares a few tips for pro audio engineers. First, he recommends carrying a female-female male XLR Y adapter when using an analog console to connect your talkback mic to the lead vocal mic.
He also suggests working up hand signals with your team to do line checks without picking up the talkback mic.
Another tip is to setup the analyzer mic near you, adjusting, and then moving the mic down to the audience level to fine-tune.
Lastly, he recommends using both gated and non-gated inputs with a VCA on each set for dynamic bands allowing for quick changes between a fast or slow song with low or high volume.
The next tip advises against excessive fiddling or adjusting and encourages thinking before making any changes without reason.
The sixth suggestion is to combat highly reverberant venues by gradually increasing the reverb from the house music before your show and turning it down as your band starts playing to enhance the contrast and establish a better connection with the audience.
Finally, compression should be used to avoid wide differentials between peak and average volumes, which can cause sound issues in highly reverberant venues. Limiters and compression can be helpful in highly reverberant environments useful but should not be relied upon too heavily. The human ear is the ultimate judge of sound quality, and it's important not to lose sight of that. Additionally, mixing from a riser can actually make it harder to achieve a positive outcome for the audience, so it's recommended to mix from the ground level whenever possible.
00:00 Intro
00:40 - tip 1 Infallible Talkback mic
01:40 - tip 2 Hand signals to line check
03:15 - tip 3 Analyzer mic placement
04:30 - tip 4 Mixing both gated and non gated drums
05:57 - tip 5 Mix better, don't fiddle
07:19 - tip 6 Created the illusion of a better sounding room
09:12 - tip 7 Mixing in highly reverberant venues
10:20 - tip 8 Technology vs hearing
10:54 - tip 9 What is really loud
11:29 - tip 10 Mixing from a riser
Also I have started a KZbin membership area where I release videos early and post exclusive additional content for the huge price of $4.99 a month. An area where I can better interact with sound humans outside of the general public. Come join us if you are interested!
/ @daverat
Thank you Dani Munoz for Spanish translation. www.phantomcenteraudio.com

[@NotnaRed]

Thanks for the massive amount of knowledge and experience you're sharing with us for free, Dave!

[@mariobentley4284]

Amazing insight!!!....

[@paleeese]

Shhhhhhhh! ! ! !

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@kevon217]

Holy hell. Jam-packed indeed. Very helpful video!

[@DaveRat]

👍🎛️👍

[@timberhill3562]

I wish I had thought of the "reverb on house music"-thing before! Have definitely had my struggles in reverberant venues. Thanks!

[@JosephSebastian1]

or high pass the house music. Band sounds fuller by comparison

[@soundped]

When I'm mixing a band that is gonna be louder than people expect in traditionally quieter venues, I slowly raise the house music to a somewhat uncomfortable level to train their ears.

[@ElMoShApPiNeSs]

@@soundped I started getting a whole lot less loudness complaints from patrons when I started doing that. Though I'm not sure if it's just because they left before the band started lol

[@patdry]

YES. i’ll be the first to admit i mostly did the opposite when i first started out. almost like showing off how proud i am of the PA tuning with the preshow tunes lol. i had one experience where the band sounded far worse than the preshow and it made me realize my error. now i high pass and carefully sculpt that preshow sound to tee up the band perfectly, but the REVERB trick is genius!! everything is contextual. i love it.

[@remopns]

cant wait to use this in like a year and a half

[@Artemago]

Dude, you are so brilliant. I LOVE all your advice, especially the house music reverb trick! LOL!!! And I can tell there's so much knowledge you've accumulated over the years of doing your thing. Big thanks for taking your time to make these videos.

[@DaveRat]

👍👍👍

[@anthywhite]

Same haha I work primarily in a venue with terrible acoustics, so this tip was awesome 😂

[@DaveRat]

🤙👍🤙

[@lintonlupahla1347]

Really profound tips, can't believe I got this for free thank you Greetings from Zimbabwe

[@DaveRat]

Thank you!!

[@funthementhal]

we need to come up with more hand gestures to describe various cowbells :)

[@ExitStrategies]

YAS 😹

[@DaveRat]

Hell yes!

[@albinapa]

I often roll off some bass and trebble to the house music to make the live act sound more full when they go on, and now I'm eager to try putting some reverb on it too!! Thanks for this tip! I also like the "imagine there's a camera"-tip.

[@DaveRat]

👍🤙👍

[@florianz95]

Working as a Soundengineer and sometimes Systemtec for the big french "L" Speaker Systems for 10 years now and sharing your Knowledge is really lifesaving for us! Looking foreward for more of these Videos! Cheers from germany 👋

[@DaveRat]

Awesome and thank you!!

[@JosephSebastian1]

Tip1: "Do this a few times and you'll see the TB find it's way to be on again" : Legendary!

[@williamkillingsworth2619]

Life is a game of chess.

[@robertberrydrums7402]

Almost spat my tea out when he said that

[@jthunderbass1]

Brilliant! I get so furious when my TB mic gets shut off.

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@HulaOopa]

like a fcking boss! (we’re not worthy) 😂

[@isettech]

On fiddling, he is correct. Always listen. If i'm fiddling, it is switching the PFL to constantly check the quality of individual mics as sometimes something goes south and not easily noticed right away. Had a lower tom stand getting kicked, and managed to mute it before it started buzzing against a mic. Sometimes a rented stage does not provide a drum kit carpet. Be a hero and pack one. By noticing the change in sound as it moved, I could see the reason it was moving. Love the reverb. I'll try that. The reverse of compression in reverberate rooms, do the reverse for open outdoors. Remove most of the compression for a clean dynamic performance. You don't want an outdoor performance to sound like a radio station with compressed sound. Utilize the dynamics especially for acoustic acts. A classic Spanish guitar on a live stage uncompressed is live and dynamic. Use compressor for unintended excessive peaks only.

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@yourfirekiller]

I fiddle more than a country band. Thanks for the sage advice, that's something I can pay attention to straightaway. Love your content, Dave.

[@DaveRat]

Perfect and when things start up, let me know how it goes!

[@kevinwillis6291]

Thanks Dave and keep em coming!!

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@Rhodes1900]

Thanks Dave for your effort!

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@riverjumpfail368]

Dude your videos over the last month have been so good. I understand phasing and acoustics so much better. Keep 'em coming.

[@DaveRat]

Awesome!!

[@danielgregwah6718]

Thanks for the tips Dave!!!

[@DaveRat]

Thank you Daniel!

[@caseykittel]

Thanks dave! Love your advice.

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@stevenwenner9824]

I’m an old school analog guy. # 4 is pure genius! I wish I knew that back in the day and also wish I had enough channels. Kind of got used to changing my ACP88 up,and down.

[@DaveRat]

Yes, I got frustrated changing the thresholds and bypassing and one day I was like, wait a minute, I can solve this and it worked great until I filled up the console a few tours later and had to stop. With modern digital, it would be very helpful.

[@mitchelldurrett5350]

Always a joy to get some tips from you. Thanks Dave!

[@DaveRat]

Thank you Mitchell!

[@WorshipShed]

You absolute genius! Been following you for years and you always have relevant, straight to the point nuggets of information. May you live forever sir!

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@racertrash]

Dave, I always enjoy all your videos and find your ideas and suggestions to be very helpful

[@DaveRat]

Awesome and thank you!

[@topekadiyver2]

Dave Rat, Thank you so much for these tutorials! These are very helpful and educational even for a bunch of us who have been working in the field for decades. Well done!

[@DaveRat]

Thank you Bob!

[@dylanbarber6899]

Every time I watch a Rat video my list of things to try at the first shows after lockdown gets bigger and bigger. Truly awesome! One thing I do with my house music is high and or low pass if its a tough room. But the reverb thing is next level!

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@johnbecker8768]

Thank you Dave. Great information as usual. I love the reverb on the house music idea.

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@chenrr80]

Awesome Dave! Thanks a lot, very helpful tips

[@DaveRat]

Thank you Victor

[@ernestocalvo748]

"... you connect the artist to the audience, you don´t have to be seen..." What a phrase!! I love it!

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@ricardohavinga]

Great stuff man! Rubber meets the road type info!

[@jamiemiller6257]

Thanks Dave for the sensible, well balanced advice. It’s nice to hear from someone with real experience and understanding.

[@DaveRat]

🤙👍🤙

[@Ryan-fx7jx]

Thanks Dave. You're an inspiration to me, and have helped shape the way I operate and approach mixing music. Greetings from Australia

[@DaveRat]

Awesome!

[@atroy9tube]

I laughed loud on tip number 6, reverb on house music, I'll remember that one, you're a wise soundguy !

[@DaveRat]

👍👍

[@bassface2316]

Recently found your channel Dave. I really appreciate your technical expertise and vast experience. Also your totally unpretentious and down to earth approach! No BS, just really helpful info. Many thanks!!

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@KurtBob]

Thank you for making these, Dave. Good vibes to ya

[@DaveRat]

🤙🤙🤙

[@56mayer]

Those tips for reverberant spaces are gold. Thanks, Dave.

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@rrobb786]

I'm honestly shocked that you only have 29K subscribers. Keep putting out content like this and watch this channel explode! Love your stuff, Dave!

[@DaveRat]

Thank you Ryan!

[@gavmurray7398]

ha the reverb on the back ground music is genius. Thanks Dave great tips cant wait to try few when gigs finally return!

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@theberndog]

I've used reverb on preshow music for years because of you Dave. Always makes a difference :)

[@DaveRat]

👍 Awesome!!

[@metaling1]

Thank you very much, Dave. Liking that you are posting videos on the regular now - subscribed!

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@andrewdsouza16]

Thanks Dave! highly appreciate for sharing great sounds tips

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@trevorstefiuk5827]

Hey Dave, thanks for doing this. Some great tips in there for sure. Much appreciated.

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@troyjordan4279]

Great advice! That last one is the best!

[@DaveRat]

👍👍

[@chrisdileo]

Awesome tips, thank you

[@DaveRat]

You bet!

[@joelglaser5657]

Great ideas and advice!

[@DaveRat]

Thank you!

[@davburge5759]

Thanks Dave, always full of comon sense ,real world advice.

[@DaveRat]

Awesome and thank you!

[@theshiffman]

Great tips from a legend! Loved the house music reverb tip! Mind blown. Thanks Dave!

[@DaveRat]

👍👍👍

[@gscheckler]

So helpful. I love your house music reverb trick. Thanks for making these great videos!

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@TelmoMonteiro]

This videos are full of good advice. Thank you for your work!

[@DaveRat]

Thank you

[@ChiefNonsense]

Dave, the value you’ve brought to the world through this sharing of knowledge………. It’s impossible to quantify. But it’s real.

[@DaveRat]

Thank you Darius!!

[@ChiefNonsense]

@@DaveRat do you have any interest in doing a lifestyle interview? Think of it as a talk you leave for your family & friends for generations to come. I’m not famous, my channel isn’t famous, but I feel like the episodes let folks know what it was like to know me and share oxygen with me for a few hours. That’s how my few guests have treated it.

[@DaveRat]

Cool cool Darius supposed to link so I can take a look and consider

[@ChiefNonsense]

Sweet! kzbin.info/door/4OOts1rfXiZRx_AAksoTPg

[@matthewmparker777]

Wow what a great video! I always look forward to your insights!

[@DaveRat]

Thank you Matt!

[@Gauthierd1]

Perfect explanation of mix position! Put your ears where the audience is!

[@DaveRat]

Awesome!

[@heychandler]

Great tips Dave. Very cool to see one of the best in the industry sharing real world practical advice. So many engineers are often very arrogant, but You are so down to earth. Again, thank you for taking the time to create these videos that will hopefully help us all be better at this craft.

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@stevencancel4061]

Hey Dave love the comment of using two mics when you pink the system one by you and one out in the center of the audience so you can see the difference so glad you're still using analog gear I use some of the first digital boards when they came out love them but I'm in an analog guy for life keep doing it Dave you're the man

[@DaveRat]

Awesome thank you!

[@zumazmusic]

Gated and non-gated sets! Genius! 😎🎵👌

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@DaleChristenson]

Dave, thanks. I am humbled at your knowledge and experience. And the fact that you are so willing to share your vast skills. I aspire to be as cool-headed and helpful to those under me who are starting out, like you are.

[@DaveRat]

I appreciate that!

[@theopapakyriacou1153]

This has been one of the best videos I’ve seen. Your approach is absolutely genius and your explanations are even better!

[@DaveRat]

Thank you Theo!!

[@stanleypebsworth976]

Dave, thank you for being humble enough to share your knowledge. Mainly for speaking on a level all can understand from beginner to pro. Watching your videos, I have thought of myself as an advanced beginner but, you always show us stuff we’ve (Some of us) probably never thought of. Stay healthy and looking forward to more insight....

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@gregthomas7950]

I very much appreciate you giving us the benefit of your experience. Little things can make a big difference.

[@DaveRat]

Thank you!

[@scottproaudio]

Lots of great tips. Thanks for sharing Dave.

[@DaveRat]

🤙👍🤙

[@jimkeehr7890]

Great videos Dave, as band owner, drummer, sound tech. Last part of your video was spot on. As sound tech it's our job to help connect talent to audience. So so important.

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@wsmfp_4207]

The compression on peak transients legit blew my mind. Thank you Dave

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@wadethames9384]

I’ve been mixing live and studio for close to 30yrs and still learning. Great advice in this video! Thank you!

[@DaveRat]

Thank you Wade!

[@billcormier444]

Dave...thanks for sharing these down to earth tidbits that are so easy to grasp because of the way you deliver the message...you are beyond cool my friend...keep your sharing your incredibly useful knowledge 👍🏼👏🏻

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@666animemonster7]

Definitely need more of these. Thank you.

[@DaveRat]

👍👍👍

[@TheEpicbassman]

Incredible advice!

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@pvanb291]

Dave, you are THE man! Thanks for all your great advice that comes from years of experience. Delivered with casual authority and totally BS free!! Thanks heaps ;)

[@DaveRat]

Whoop whoop!

[@peterblackmore7560]

Good stuff Dave. I love the "no riser thing" - so true. Also I remember from an earlier video that you will have the Mixer to one side of you so that you have nothing between you and the audience. Genius! On the "don't fiddle with the mix" tip, a hundred years ago, I saw a Sammy Davis Jnr concert in Festival Hall - Melbourne Australia. As luck would have it, I was sitting behind the mix position. Every few songs, the operator would slowly move a finger over to a fader, and make a minute adjustment. Little or no tweaking for the whole show. Yay - as it should be.

[@DaveRat]

Awesome on all things. I wish I saw SDJ and kudos to the eng!

[@K0sk4]

Great stuff. Thanks Dave!

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@ERMAV]

The highly reverberant room with reverb on the playback before show start is a trick I am so happy to have in my bag now. Very creative thank you!

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@VictorRochaGaming]

LOL @ triangle. "Mighty decent of you, I must say." Great tips, Dave. I'll keep watching if you keep posting.

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@michaeljacques491]

Best channel... I can't thank you enough for sharing all this wisdom!

[@DaveRat]

Thank you michael!

[@hardikkeshan]

Amazing tips Dave! Please more

[@DaveRat]

Yes!!

[@dale116dot7]

Thanks for doing these! The tip about not fiddling is great. I used to fiddle more than now. Usually just some fader moves if the band changes their instrumentation or vocals (who takes lead). Also, great tip about compression in a boomy space. Once we’re out of lockdown I’ve already got a room in mind to try it on.

[@DaveRat]

Awesome!!

[@billshivelbine5279]

Thanks man!! You’re a game changer for the industry!

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@Scott__C]

Dave, this is great stuff. Keep 'em coming.

[@DaveRat]

Thanks, will do!

[@MrChuckBoom]

Thanks Dave, really great Advise as always keep on

[@DaveRat]

Awesome and thank you!

[@EdPin_]

Dave i love watching your work on KZbin, because every time i can see how much you love your work. Thank you :)

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@TheMcHarg]

Great tips and tricks

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@scottyvandweller]

love this channel.... thx dave!!!!

[@DaveRat]

Thank you Scotty!

[@MrTalisman80]

Thank you Dave. I always appreciate your videos and your willingness to spend your time sharing your knowledge. You certainly don't have to do these videos and it's refreshing to see you chip away at the prevalent notion that sound engineers are jerks. Maybe that's an idea for a new series as well; how to work with others! At the best of times this can be a very stressful job and knowing how to work well with others is key to success, maybe more so than any technical prowess. Thanks again man!

[@DaveRat]

Thank you!

[@klysmajan]

thanks again Dave!

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@dronenb]

Dave, always love your videos. I love tip #4. Digico consoles make this really easy since you can create macros that enable/disable drum gates with a single macro without having to double patch channels.

[@DaveRat]

But can you slide between gated and ungated such that you are partially gated at any amount from full to none?

[@CoryKent1997]

Great and helpful tips, Dave. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@timbly5824]

Thank you, great tips. Since the ipad connection with my A&H board for the last 6yrs., I use the ipad to check my sound with the audience. Handy tool.

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@richreitz5815]

I really dig your videos brother. Thanks for sharing so much hard earned knowledge.

[@DaveRat]

Awesome and thank you

[@phillingroovy]

Wow! Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge and insight. It’s extremely helpful!!

[@DaveRat]

👍🔧👍

[@ToddWCorey1]

Thanks, Dave -- keep 'em coming!

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@jeffbenink4799]

Great stuff in there Dave. Hope to see you soon again

[@DaveRat]

Cool cool Jeff!

[@rorannogare]

Thanks Dave! I really enjoy your videos and can always relate them to my own work. Plz keep it up!

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@danpeaslee6786]

Thanks Dave.

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@anthonyanzalone]

Awesome. Great tips!

[@DaveRat]

Thank you Anthony!

[@sethwaltz8077]

I love your comments about reverb on house music. psychoacoustics are very powerful. Like when someone asks for something and you don’t really want to give it to them and you reach for a knob and pretend to turn it and they thank you. The reverb on House music is brilliant.

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@keith7863]

Great compression tips! Improved my mix. Thank you!

[@DaveRat]

Thank you Keith and awesome you joined!!

[@LiveSoundTips]

Great stuff, as always!

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@fr4nc1sPT]

Thank you for these tips Dave, you're a great teacher. Greetings from Portugal.

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@ankitcho]

the wealth of knowledge dave drops is insane lol i would've never thought of the reverb and house music thing ever... thanks

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@ankitcho]

@@DaveRat replied to my comment... my life has been made...

[@MegaSoundscapes]

Thankx for sharing your knowledge and experience ! Really helpful tips here from years of professional experience. I like the way you bring it across !! .......

[@DaveRat]

Thank you Herbert!!

[@cartergreeves9302]

Dave, I’ve been working professionally in the audio world for almost 10 years now. I started as a studio rat, and lucked my way into live sound for extra money. Your videos have been more informative, and entertaining than all of the Sound on Sound and Tape Ops I’ve read this past decade combined. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, tips, and keeping me sharp and passionate! Much love brotha!

[@DaveRat]

So cool and thank you Carter!

[@ew7007]

Just found your channel, Dave. Wow. I'm a 59 year old that "retired" from FOH Pro Sound in the 90s. I absolutely loved the work but at that time the "party" got the best of me and I had to get out. Your philosophy about connecting the artist with the crowd was paramount for me and of course, back then things were mostly analog so there weren't as many rabbit holes of tech to fall into. Watching this video (and a lot of your other ones) really took me back and made me miss it. Favorite moment? When the house lights would go down and that nervous anticipation would really kick in. There was no KZbin back then and you might get a little mentoring here and there but a large part was just learning, learning and more learning on your own. Thanks for taking me back to what I loved about Sound Reinforcement.

[@DaveRat]

Thank you e w!

[@keylimetrpt]

These are well put together tips helpful for the pro or beginner. I mixed FOH for a handful of venues in the LES for a few years before moving away to focus on studio work. Miss working with live bands, hopefully we'll get venues open and live shows coming back again in this brave new world.

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@philstocks8358]

I've been running my own live sound service, 'Avenue 44 Audio' for about 7 years now. I have my dad work for/with me and we've built up quite a good reputation and have some very loyal bands that we work with regularly. A lot of that success in the last couple of years is thanks to your videos Dave! You're a friggin legend, man! Although I could have done to watch this three days ago. We just did a show in a 700 capacity hall where everything was made from good, old fashioned hard wood, with a balcony and seriously high ceiling. Quite an interesting challenge!

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@matthewmorgan5155]

#5!!!!!! Amen my friend, I can't tell you how many times i've seen an engineer playing non stop with the console.

[@DaveRat]

👍

[@andy435]

Dave, you are the man! I was at your seminar in Dublin a good few years back. I still have the Rat stickers too!

[@DaveRat]

👍 Hey hey Andy!!

[@kevbelanger1179]

Great reference to top fuel engines haha. I have never plugged my ears at a concert. First experience with a top fuel dragster had my hands on my ears while they had foam plugs and cups on lol.

[@DaveRat]

Exactly!