Running Sound For Sleep Token

Рет қаралды 68,962

Күн бұрын

Welcome to "This Is DeLaCruz"! In this episode, we're thrilled to sit down with Thom Pike, the masterful sound engineer responsible for delivering the immersive and atmospheric live sound of the enigmatic band, Sleep Token.
Thom Pike is a seasoned sound engineer with a deep understanding of creating captivating auditory experiences. As Sleep Token's sound engineer, Thom meticulously crafts the band's unique live sound, blending ambient textures with powerful dynamics to bring their hauntingly beautiful music to life on stage.
Join us as we explore the world of live sound engineering with Thom Pike. From discussing the challenges of mixing for a band with such a distinct and layered sound to sharing insights on equipment preferences, stage setup, and the creative process behind live performances, Thom offers invaluable knowledge for both music enthusiasts and aspiring engineers.
This episode is proudly sponsored by Guitar Center Professional, your ultimate destination for premium audio equipment and professional sound solutions. Whether you're a seasoned sound engineer, a musician, or an audio enthusiast, visit www.gcpro.com today to explore their extensive selection of gear, expert advice, and industry-leading services. Greg’s personal number…(615) 712-0295 or email him at gglaser@gcpro.com
This video is also brought to you by HWPco
HWPco is a manufacturer’s representative professional services organization, providing sales, marketing, technical support, customer service, event management, social media, video marketing and more. HWPco partners with the best audio, video and security brands in the Southeast to bring expertise to your doorstep. Whether it’s design help, planning a trade show, hosting a training event or you want a private technical demo, they’re here to help.
Check them out on the web at HWPco.com and follow on Instagram @hwpco. If you would like a demo of any of their brands and you’re located in the Southeast, head to demo.hwpco.com, fill out the form and someone will get back to you asap.
HWPco - your personal trusted and valuable connection to the manufacturer.

Пікірлер: 215

@velvateen_la 4 ай бұрын

I wanna know about the guy running lights for them cause they had the best light sequences I seen in awhile

@BazekBlu 3 ай бұрын

Meshuggah is pretty steep competition!

@JakobStrand Ай бұрын

@@BazekBlu Edward Hansson is a true legend and a 5th band member 🤣

@gyngernuts 8 күн бұрын

It's so in sync with the drums, he must be a drummer

@Gipsy-Danger73 2 ай бұрын

I love this. Many people just don't understand this business. Yes... Sleep Token are an amazing band of extremely talented musicians... but bringing that sound to the stage and in the studio takes another extremely talented group of people. Sound and stage engineers are a crucial and incredibly important part of the business. As a touring musician myself...a good sound crew is a security blanket for the entire band. It's truly takes a team for bands as intricate as this to give us that magic we love.

@eted2 4 ай бұрын

I love that he's a drum guy, it explains a lot. ii has an articulation that I don't think I've heard matched. The snare alone deserves to be a millionaire 😭😂

@codymathes4450 Ай бұрын

The snare is pure beauty 🔥 🔥 👏

@Cedarsalad 4 ай бұрын

Off topic but The bucees duck traveling with them kills me😭

@franklynanderson 4 ай бұрын

everyone has a mascot... mines named moo

@carlyblankenship5198 4 ай бұрын

I understood about 10% of this interview but it was fascinating. And it definitely helps explain why my husband and I both thought the Radio City Music Hall ST concert was the best-sounding concert we’ve attended. Amazing work.

@rockapartyjd 4 ай бұрын

I wondered how it was there...loved the show in Asheville...transforming my mind to the best show I've seen in my 46 years!

@ThisIsDeLaCruz 4 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@MultiJd88 3 ай бұрын

100% agree. Me and my gf went to their show at radio city and it was by far the best sounding concert I’ve ever heard. Well atleast sleep token was. ESB was pretty terrible sounding. Hahaha

@anthonysilveira3515 3 ай бұрын

To be fair, Radio City has incredible acoustics and EVERY show there sounds amazing. Still, I’ve seen them at other venues and this guy really knows his stuff

@carlyblankenship5198 3 ай бұрын

@@MultiJd88 yes ESB made me feel like my ears were bleeding. Not in a good way 🤣

@Bonz-vc8zd 3 ай бұрын

The people who just WORK for sleep token are like a DREAM TEAM for an international band. Everyone working with ST are phenomenal!

@PINQTEETH 4 ай бұрын

Hearing from Thom and people like him is so incredibly inspiring. My love for Sleep Token has made me push towards music in general for my career since discovering them, but I think because of the band's lack of public identity, a more significant amount of attention has been put on the staff (at least in comparison to other bands), and so the option of working behind the scenes in live music has been presented to people more. That has fully grabbed my attention, and I'd love to go into working with sound one day!

@ThaStranger11 3 ай бұрын

Unfortunately streaming has really put a damper on musicians' ability to earn livings because not many people are purchasing records like they used to. This has however in a good way opened up a ton of potential and opportunity for live performances as concerts have again become a more substantial way to bring in the paychecks. Musicians I think are going to be forced to tour and perform more moving forward. This is also good in a way as concerts have always been one of the best parts about music and it will in turn open up a lot of demand for backstage and tour positions. I believe it's not a bad time to get into the industry spite the dark period of the early streaming days. So yeah like he said, just get out there. Start from the bottom and be a help in any way you can. Follow the music you love as well and if you're persistent, you'll likely find somewhere you can work with music. Best of luck out there 🤙

@yourcoffeepal 4 ай бұрын

As a stage tech (who is still in college for it) and sleep token fan this is exactly the type of content I will not shut up about. my poor friends-

@callumvernon7053 4 ай бұрын

Leave. As a tech/engineer in the field for 10+ years, I can 100% tell you no one gives a s*** what college grades you got, they care about real world experience. Get yourself out doing gigs and working for local companies. If people see something in you, you won’t be short of work 👍 (ps. I also went to college, spent a fortune and completely wish I just went straight out into the field.)

@yourcoffeepal 4 ай бұрын

@@callumvernon7053 ill stay, if i stop ill be in massive debt. plus i do have teal world experience and get the proper basis taught. let me walk my own path.

@CelticWolfyCub 4 ай бұрын

@@callumvernon7053 I second this. I also went to college for it and was so worried about study time and not enough hands on time with the equipment. I very much regret it now, but I'm working with my local venues and will hopefully be in with the union next year to gain more knowledge and learn some new skills. TLDR; screw the books, get your hands on some consoles/equipment, etc 👍

@RVFFICA 4 ай бұрын

@@callumvernon7053 they dont ask for qualifications in that field?

@h.deaner6834 4 ай бұрын

@@callumvernon7053 thanks for the advice man.

@adrianofernandez4932 4 ай бұрын

Went to Sleep Token concert in Tampa and the highlight of my life was how well mixed the music was. I left that concert with no ring in my hears. Music was not overwhelmingly loud and there was no pesky frequencies. I literally wanted to know who was the genius sound engineer and here he is. Congrats man. You are amazing!

@GoatGodBaal 2 ай бұрын

Literally same! Saw them in Atlanta and my ears did not ring at all. My ears left as they came. Their teams are soooooo talented

@katieparks6408 4 ай бұрын

This guy makes me love Sleep Token even more. I love that he didn’t finish college and is killer at what he does. Man, thanks for making the Asheville ritual sound AMAZING 🎉

@TVHorrorArt 4 ай бұрын

Ahh I was at the Asheville Ritual too!! My dad and I could NOT stop talking about how amazing the sound and mixing was 😭👏🏻

@jamespage7736 3 ай бұрын

I was there in bleachers it was greatest show I've been. 2 besides the opener they were horribe.

@IanNubbit 4 ай бұрын

Something that has to be said about ST, is how identical the album is to live. I have NEVER been to show that almost sounds pre-recorded but in the best possible way. If Vessel didn’t have his little vocal plays you’d be hard set to find the difference, while of course the band members skill is part of that, but recognition has to go to this guy! Amazing job

@eted2 4 ай бұрын

Vessels intentional deviations during live shows are what make the shows for me, he's an absolute unit of a vocalist

@IanNubbit 4 ай бұрын

@@eted2 i was shocked to see how effortless the first half of the show was. The voice sounds like everything, but he really isn’t at his full level until the final 3-4 songs. Was crazy to notice that

@JoeDread316 3 ай бұрын

And now they are signed with a major label, RCA( Foo Fighters, Justin Timberlake etc) their production and overall quality of everything, is going to be even better with the financial backing they now have

@IanNubbit 3 ай бұрын

@@JoeDread316 that’s almost scary. Hopefully they do it right. And maybe shows will be large enough to not be bot bought re-sell infested

@89ceilidh 2 ай бұрын

@@IanNubbitoh no, if previous experience is anything to go by the bot-bought tickets will only get worse 🥲

@VvalocityV 4 ай бұрын

Got lucky enough to help on a sleep token gig and got lucky enough to spend some time with Thom. Extremely humble, and extremely helpful - answered all my questions. A lot of fun!

@Spermwhales93 4 ай бұрын

He's a really lovely and humble guy. Not changed at all from back when I knew him years ago.

@bandsivefilmedlive 4 ай бұрын

Thom Pike has done alot for the South Wales music scene, as a musician and as a sound guy! He worked hard and now he's doing sound for the hottest band in the world right now!

@eted2 4 ай бұрын

He is a sound sound guy 😂

@venomstellium 3 ай бұрын

Thom, you’re a literal fkn legend. This band is obviously insanely talented, and you *perfectly* honor them with the way you mix. Every. Single. Time. I see them live - my jaw is in the fucking floor because of YOU - the way you make them sound. Thank you, truly. 🙏🏼

@TifffanyTaylor 4 ай бұрын

THIS WAS FILMED AT THE ROXY which I went to and my husband and I literally the first thing out of our mouths that night were how good everything sounded! Dude killed it!!

@tresamccall 4 ай бұрын

I was there too

@pearlrival3124 4 ай бұрын

lets be honest first thing out of your mouth: get me a f'ing water before i die of dehydration... that venue was a sauna. the vessels' skin literally melted

@TifffanyTaylor 4 ай бұрын

@pearlrival3124 hahaha not first but definitely a close 2nd

@apex3d595 4 ай бұрын

Amazing show. It was hot AF 🤣

@JoeJohnson0515 4 ай бұрын

I have a buddy who was at their show in Texas last week and said it was one of the best sounding shows he’s ever been to! He’s a great drummer, I’m an audio engineer and he saw this come out and immediately sent this video to me and a couple others. Love to glean what I can!

@nathanraschella6700 3 ай бұрын

Saw them in Ashville. They sounded incredible. Vessel sounded like it was a studio track. And I love that they give II a big presence in the tracks (even live). Turned my wife (who hates metal into a huge fan). So I recommend seeing them live, it is fantastic experience

@MrHDPhoenix 3 ай бұрын

I found this interview crazy, I live in wales myself, and know Lucas who is the frontman for holding absence, and to think their audio lad is now the guy for sleeptoken is crazy, and to think sleep token were a supporting act for them is mind boggling, shows the blow up they have had. Thought I recognised Thom as the drummer from falling with style

@chriscuthbertson 4 ай бұрын

Sleep Token was the last band I saw before the Covid pandemic. It was just a week of so before the lockdown. They were awesome. It's amazing how they have grown in popularity in the past few years.

@OfficialBritta 4 ай бұрын

I was at one of the Chicago shows last week and the sound was incredible. My brother and I were behind the sound guys and their setup was so impressive and honestly, intimidating. Great job, Thom!!

@TriciaPooh01 4 ай бұрын

I was there on the 15th! They sounded amazing live!

@evanloken19 4 ай бұрын

I was at the first Chicago show just a few rows behind the sound table, so many consoles. The sound balance (and lighting production) made for one of the best shows I’ve ever seen.

@gitsiemonster 4 ай бұрын

The 15th sounded great

@reissmckellar9671 4 ай бұрын

Imagine just seeing them unmasked walking about the stage 😂😂😂

@snitchpixie0605 4 ай бұрын

Thom’s a friggin genius at what he does!! Been to a fair few ST shows and am always amazed at the quality of sound and the mix

@realitydrip3293 4 ай бұрын

That mixing board he’s using is well over $100,000 USD 🤯

@groovytemple 3 ай бұрын

Integrated hardware you cannot afford 😅

@Enemyofthenewworldorder 2 ай бұрын

@@groovytemple😂😂😂

@RyanAnger 4 ай бұрын

Saw ST last week in Chicago, after the show I looked at my wife and said, " this was one of the best sounding shows I've ever been to!" This was an awesome interview and made me love ST even more.

@thornysnotsoepic 3 ай бұрын

Sleep Token's sound and lighting are second to none. I saw Sleep Token at Sonic Temple and I was blown away by everything. Keep up the amazing work Thom and crew.

@hardypahardypa1 4 ай бұрын

I was at the Montreal show last night with a bunch of musician friends. We were right behind the soundboard to hear the full stereo sound Thom mentioned in this video. I don’t know where to start but I did go and see Thom at the end to acknowledge his mastery. The drum sound, the vocals from Vessel, the guitars and bass etc were all mixed with expertise. I have seen a lot of bands in my lifetime and last night was incredible. Bravo to the team as well that work with Sleep Token. You feel these folks care about quality. The light show as well was next level! We were all standing up on the floor looking at each other with our jaws dropped hahahaha Bravo! Seeing them tomorrow in Toronto at Massey Hall. Much smaller venue were the sound is apparently a dream to work at as a sound engineer. Thanks for this video!

@seanm.palmer6998 3 ай бұрын

Great interview. I haven't heard of the band before, I checked them out, and they rule. Can't wait to check out a show

@CM_chunk_drums 4 ай бұрын

i used to play in local bands with his old band and it's crazy to see him and the other members from his old band (FWS) now holding absence, absolutely taking over the music world. Proud of them all!

@spdrcr340 4 ай бұрын

I saw Sleep Token live at Sonic Temple 2024, was i gifted the opportunity to watch from FoH and it was one of the best sounding sets of the weekend. Full L'Acoustics K1 hang on the SAM750, with 24 stacks of 3 KS28 in cardioid across the front. Then the light show... oh the light show (minus the 30seconds during The Summoning where the console dropped).

@brittanyfulmer3638 4 ай бұрын

I was a stage hands who helped put up the set for em. Met thisIsDelaCruz backstage on A.

@ThisIsDeLaCruz 4 ай бұрын

👋

@NahIamgood 4 ай бұрын

I have seen sleep token at Wembley last December and must say that the sound was AMAZING! Everything was perfectly balanced, I was at the barrier and there was no need for earplugs at all. We could hear the crowd singing but could also hear Vessel so clearly like he was singing in our ear. Drums were absolutely madness, II is an amazing drummer but Thom elevates him to another level. Happy to see the crew getting the recognition, without them, the band wouldn't sound so amazing and the show wouldn't be at this insanely high level. Can't wait to see them again this December in London and Cardiff

@Melanie_M 3 ай бұрын

Thom is the chillest dude, so humble, so funny, so skilled. What a legend!

@samuelschmitt4324 4 ай бұрын

Couldn’t be more proud of you if I tried

@heidipatton5858 4 ай бұрын

I was at the show in Philly on 5/20, and it was amazing and the sound was....ethereal. ST was amazing, and huge props to Thom for all his hard work!

@onlyforyoutube9783 4 ай бұрын

I was really hoping for an in-depth go through of Thoms console layout with bus structure and layer configuration 🥲 Not only what’s happening outside of the desk, since I feel like nowadays the ITB stuff is way more important. Please go through this for the next videos! ❤

@Yodplods 4 ай бұрын

I'll try and make this a thing :P I used to work with him.

@creamsicle9826 3 ай бұрын

Not to be that girl or anything but you’re literally a GOD they always sound so fucking incredible, their shows are my favorite shows I’ve ever been to and it can’t happen with talented engineers like you guys so THANK YOU SO MUCH you’re all amazing. (To Everyone in this video)

@Luna-sf7rn 3 ай бұрын

You’re 100% a drummer because that snare sounds HOT. Went to see them in Boston and the sound was so incredibly crisp, nice to meet the genius behind it, keep the good work!

@ShankDrums 4 ай бұрын

Saw them in Pitt. over the weekend. The mix was top notch!

@JayKayOkie 3 ай бұрын

So thankful it is a drum heavy mix. Speaks to my soul.

@DeathColdBeer 3 ай бұрын

Sleep Token man? they just hit different brother. Appreciate you! Unsung heros ....kind of no words for the band. So Epic! Cheers from Atlanta Ga

@willblakeaudio 4 ай бұрын

Thom is an absolute legend and the sweetest guy 100%

@ii_official 4 ай бұрын

Appreciate the work you do.

@WhisperingWinds0 4 ай бұрын

Wait what?! 😱😍

@ii_official 4 ай бұрын

@@WhisperingWinds0greetings worshiper.

@WhisperingWinds0 4 ай бұрын

@@ii_official Oh my word 😱 Thank you for acknowledging me Mr II❤ All of yours guys Work and Talent have changed me ever since hearing that first song. One of a kind band. Worship🙌 (I've seen your Drumeo Offering in full, at least 20 times😍)

@ii_official 4 ай бұрын

@@WhisperingWinds0 The teeth of god are sure to bite again. Await the next arrival.

@joyjoyz778 4 ай бұрын

@WhisperingWinds0 that's not ii, the sleep token members only have instagram at the moment and they have posted on their accounts that all other accounts on sns are fake

@joyjoyz778 4 ай бұрын

I've been to so many shows for different bands and sleep token's has been the BEST live music I've ever heard. Thom is killing it.

@puddlemaniac 3 ай бұрын

I'm a big fan of ST. Pretty cool shit. Not everything... but lots of tunes I will likely play to death. That said... this guy has a monumental task that he clearly LOVES to do. I've been behind the board and it can be a royal pain in the ass if you have douchebag players to deal with. He clearly does not, and he knows he is one of the MVP's of the tour. But he's a humble dude. Kudos!!!

@nnunghi 4 ай бұрын

WORSHIP

@raylenlovesiv 3 ай бұрын

sleep token is literally saving my life, im so so thankful for them. videos like these i love! i have asd so sleep token is a hyper fixation of mine n i love learning more

@JackyGoodrum 4 ай бұрын

Love hearing Thom talk about how her got to where he is, and I remember working with him and he is the kindest guy who helped me greatly when I was in house at a venue with some tips and tricks

@richardbelisle4807 4 ай бұрын

I can tell you in the 90s I was often with a baby band with a big budget….bus crew shure endorsement ect….and many not all but many of the headliners we worked with there production teams where Aholes….im glad that has changed

@MissesFateful 4 ай бұрын

I only saw them one time live in germany and because of that I can't tell if it was the venue or the sound engineering, but the sound was SO GOOD!! We all were talking about this afterwards. I saw a lot of metal bands live so far, but rearly the sound was that pleasant. Especially when you're near the stage. Not too loud but the heavy parts still full and heavy. I'm very glad I have the opportunity to see them again this year in another arena.

@marksouthcombe2479 3 ай бұрын

Proper Welshman there, legend Thom Pike 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿👏👏

@ulrikjohansson140 4 ай бұрын

It´s perfect that you put up images for all mics when they´re mentioned. Good for us with poor memory!

@ThisIsDeLaCruz 3 ай бұрын

Glad it helped!

@astrowerm 4 ай бұрын

Ive seen holding absence, theyre pretty good too. They opened for Silverstein a couple years ago

@iOverThoughtThis 3 ай бұрын

love thom

@gitsiemonster 3 ай бұрын

I don't understand most of the terminology but this is very interesting to watch!

@ThisIsDeLaCruz 3 ай бұрын

Glad you found it interesting! Thanks for watching

@doxxgang 3 ай бұрын

the show at the Roxy was WET, we were sardined in there with barely any AC, but sleep token absolutely made it worth it. The sound was crazy, but it was even better at MGM in Boston. Big thanks to Thom for his efforts, and thank YOU for giving us a look BTS🙏

@soundshopvlogs 4 ай бұрын

Wow, you landed the white whale. Sleep Token's FOH. That's epic. Great story. Also, if you're ever in the NJ area, you interviewing Kay from our channel would be fun haha.

@zacharysmithingell5460 4 ай бұрын

Oh damn this was really really good, man. I love the discussion around differences in vocal mixing for screams vs singing. Also, all D6s on toms! Wild. You got a new sub.

@ThisIsDeLaCruz 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for the kind words! Hope to keep giving you content you will enjoy! 🙏🏽

@I_am_Felii 4 ай бұрын

This video and the comments make me excited for my first time seeing the band live in Berlin in November! Footage on KZbin will never make a live experience justice not matter how well they are filmed! Can't wait! thanks for doing this and thanks to Thom and the entire crew for their hard work!

@ThisIsDeLaCruz 3 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@vons_ 3 ай бұрын

v informative. such a gentle dude -I’d read his Calm story.

@holliburnett 4 ай бұрын

OMG I was at that concert in Atlanta! It sounded amazing !!!!🙌🏼❤️

@apex3d595 4 ай бұрын

I was as well, amazing show. Hot AF in there lol

@Madmatilda42 3 ай бұрын

Celebrate ! 🎉🎉🎉

@gordo271 4 ай бұрын

I knew he was some type of musician the way he mixed ...but a drummer wow...that's why ii sound incredible life

@gordo271 4 ай бұрын

Live

@alexm.handro1313 4 ай бұрын

This last tour was amazing. Best show I've seen in years.

@TeeBagGee 4 ай бұрын

Thank you Thom for making all of our sleep token experiences the best they can be! Legend!

@letsch666 4 ай бұрын

Great job, awesome video! Love to see all these „behind the scenes“ footage 🤘

@ThisIsDeLaCruz 4 ай бұрын

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

@deadonasunday 3 ай бұрын

Bro has a buc-ees hat on. I approve

@NickzAndMikz 4 ай бұрын

I knew that this video was coming and I'm so glad it's here. Can't wait to watch.

@fleurdelisxliv 4 ай бұрын

Most amazing band on earth

@techcore5537 3 ай бұрын

That hat is 🔥

@Games4Days912 4 ай бұрын

Just saw them in Boston this past Friday night. Show was fricken amazing. Will absolutely be seeing them again. 🖤SleepToken🖤

@ThisIsDeLaCruz 4 ай бұрын

Rock on!

@traceycurtis1005 4 ай бұрын

I saw this interview at the Roxy, and I was right above him in the video. Where his head was I sat. Great show

@Nathdood 2 ай бұрын

Hey this guy sold me sleep token merch in 2022. I think the venue didnt allow sound guys besides their own (bad owners) so he was at the table!

@TinoSchulz1990 4 ай бұрын

Man i loved it so much. Sleep Token has such a brutal and full, yet so dynamic mix. Would have loved to hear his opinion on the snare tuning, as i've heard he does have some tricks to beef it up. But still: Great video. Thank you so much

@AshleyTruchan 4 ай бұрын

It would be so awesome if someone did an interview like this with Sam to talk about ii's kit and such...lookin at you Drumeo 👀👀

@TinoSchulz1990 4 ай бұрын

@@AshleyTruchan Well. They did? 😀

@ashleyabraham2909 4 ай бұрын

@TinoSchulz1990 what?! They interviewed Sam??! Send me this gloriousness kind sir 🙏

@TinoSchulz1990 4 ай бұрын

@@ashleyabraham2909 Look up: "drumeo sleep token"

@ItsBoots. 4 ай бұрын

Sat right behind him at radio city in NY awesome show

@RattlinBonesClub 4 ай бұрын

Great interview Thom, you almost sound like you know what you’re doing ;) haha Sounded great in Chicago last week. Let’s catch up soon. 🤘

@campraincloud 4 ай бұрын

sick fly slap, brev. mad respect for these videos! You're doing cosmic work

@ThisIsDeLaCruz 4 ай бұрын

🤣 Thanks!

@mikeytrw 4 ай бұрын

Love how he says D&B PA cause it matches his genelecs. I have Genny's and whenever I hear a D&B system they just sound like giant versions of my monitors.