Sound Tutorial - Running the Sound Board

A crash-course in how to run a sound mixer. If you are between being clueless and being someone who dabbles, you should find it useful. Welcome to all SPO and community people. Here is an index of the contents for easy access:
INTRO
0:22 Priority 1-get sound
0:40 Priority 2-sound good
VOCAB
0:53 Fader
1:05 Potentiometer
1:10 Bus
1:30 Inputs
1:32 Channel Strip
1:45 Insert
2:15 Preamp
2:34 EQ
2:52 Filter
3:08 Aux
3:20 Pan
3:29 Mute
3:31 Peak Light
3:50 PFL
4:03 Fader
4:06 Outputs
4:38 Metering/monitoring
5:03 Phantom Power
HOW TO
5:21 Setting the Preamp
6:22 ...by using the PFL
7:38 ...by other means
8:12 Using EQ
8:21 Sound examples
8:47 Tips
9:34 Using Auxiliaries
9:50 Pre and post-fader
10:49 Setting up a monitor
11:14 Setting up an effects loop
12:00 Using the Faders
Make sure leaders are audible
Fill in the background after that
12:26 Sound is everything
12:37 Monitoring location is important
13:05 Read your manual and practice

[@philipstaley2592]

This is indeed an excellent tutorial for the true beginner. The explanations are at the right level and does not make the mistake of assuming knowledge and understanding terminology a beginner would not have.

[@jimc3161]

One of the most informative and accurate videos - well done!! The rule of walking out cannot be stressed enough. I walk out into the crowd often to be sure they are listening to the best sound system around. It is so funny to hear new karaoke singers in my show say my system makes them sound good. I just take the time to update/tweak settings for every singer in my show.

[@christianlorentzen4124]

Thanks for your post. I've read a lot of training materials about setting mixing boards and levels, but nothing compares to an engaging presenter talking about it in a hands on way.

[@annhadtheband138]

I think this is the best anyone could explain about what does an analog mixer do. You summed up everything so quickly and easily.

[@dhapumdhap]

As a novice, Tom, Sir, your explanation is just perfectly balanced without overwhelming with technical jargon and terminology. EXCELLENTLY Done! Thank you very much. Be Blessed!

[@mickypoo4622]

Congratulations on a most clear, helpful and well thought out explanation. Simple guidance of the mixing console overview, sound advice about how to get the best sound by careful listening and "training your ears", AND ... so easy to understand. Many thanks and keep up the good work.

[@MrOwendempsey]

best explanation on youtube

[@MrHooskerdu1]

Nice work. Quick, concise, without all the fluff of other tutorials. You did in 13 minutes what it takes others hours to do. Well done.

[@008Birdman]

This is a fantastic video. I’ve needed to share this with some youth that run sound for our children’s worship. Thank you for your time in putting this together.

[@nickcorradino]

Excellent video, I'm taking over the sound board for our high school drama club and this video just made my life so much easier. Thank you!

[@kwametuffour5359]

Been searching youtube for days on sound/audio mixers and its set-ups and functions. And this is by far the best video i have come across on this subject. Thanks alot.

[@scotthayes4760]

Gotta be honest, the first 5 seconds I saw the video quality I almost skipped on to the next video: Shaky, and little fuzzy, looks like someone screwing around in their attic. Then I stuck to it for a few minutes, and it was the most effective 13.5 minutes I spent wrapping my head around my first mixer. Your content was concise, to the point, and exactly what I needed to put me in control of my first mixer that I have found myself suddenly in charge of running in an auditorium at my college. THANK YOU!

[@Pomdaddy]

So glad I found this Chanel. By far the best video on KZbin for this subject. Thanks for keeping it simple enough that a beginner like me can get a jump on learning something like this.

[@davidgeorge1294]

A few things that can help is to make sure any unused channels are muted and both gain and faders are off. This can help keep the board quiet especially with a cheap noisy board. Also cover your board to help prevent someone from changing a setting and having liquids splashed or even spilled on your board. No drinks near the equipment! Lastly, everyone thinks they can drive like Richard Petty. Just like everyone thinks they know how to run a board. Don't be afraid to learn. Ask questions from more experienced operators just be sure that they know what there doing. I like to set the faders to maximum then adjust the gain to the maximum regardless of the VU or LED meters say. This basically means run it up until it feedback and back them off slightly. Now your gains are set and no matter what level you set the faders to you should have a lot less feedback issues and still have all the volume your equipment can handle available without feedback. The clip light helps allot with this. Having said that, you can still have lots of feedback issues with wireless mics and the performer moving about the stage and room. You will need to learn how to deal with that. This method gives you a great no feedback base to start with. Setting gain with the PFL LED method often leaves you no headroom when you need it. It's not a good method for setting gains. It's also not good for much except maybe recording. That's because all you are hearing is the sound threw the board into head phones. This is live sound, you need to hear what's coming out of your mains, monitors and side fills if any. PFL is a tool for your use at best it's not to be relied on as it's not a true representation of the end product. Hope that helps, happy mixing!

[@BibleBeltBlues]

This is very specific and EXCELLENT information presented in a really complete and professional manner. Thank you so much. Learned a lot.

[@RexyFan]

Woooooow.... been watching a loooooot of KZbin clips in regards to setting up band equipment (mainly in ear monitors) and using the mixer over the past two weeks cos I’m about to set up my new church band in a couple of weeks time, and I can say is .... this is by far theeeee best video I’ve seen ! You explained everything about how a mixer works, what all the functions are and how to use them properly in 13 minutes! Which I had to struggle to find over many clips and Piece them altogether. Thank you !!!! I only wish that I stumbled over this video first. Straight 🔥 🔥 New sub ! 😁

[@willnottsubmitt3514]

I really appreciate your vid. Most folks gloss over basics. This is excellent taking it from the basics up. Thank you. 👍

[@jamesrossmusic6013]

You SIR have given the best explanation I have yet to see anywhere!!!!! Thank You!!!!

[@olivia-lv3td]

Thank you so much for this. I’m controlling the sound for our 7th grade video news club and this helped sooooo much!

[@johnthomas479]

Very Good Tom, Very concise, a lot in few words, you did the best job in a smaller amount of time than any other video I have seen in the last three hours here on KZbin.

[@latotayporota]

Dude, one of the best,if not the best basic tutorial on mivers on KZbin. Nice work....methodical

[@luoyisishimisi470]

This is excellent, sir. You are awesome for taking the time to do this video. Thank you very much for this wealth of information.

[@seanmartin5581]

Quick, clear, and concise! Excellent!

[@marcelomainero566]

Best explanation ever. Period. Thanks for posting this, it’s the real deal.

[@mikeschumacher9715]

FINALLY, someone who gets how to teach something item by item. Thank you very much.

[@chapmanproductions423]

Best straight forward explanation of the board! Thank You!

[@allanstelmach]

Great vid! Really clear and straightforward explanation of all the basic concepts

[@paulbalogh7064]

This was really good & i am “fairly “ good @ this stuff but reviewing the basics is always a good idea. Thank you.

[@robertpendland4923]

Just awesome, Thanks I can't begin to explain how much I needed this.

[@mrtonyadkins]

easy to understand. THANK YOU! I could actually hear you and you gave examples.

[@buildingsheriff]

This is absolutely brilliant!. Thank you. So easy to understand and comprehensive. Which idiots are giving this a thumbs down?!

[@CliveWebbAustralia]

I just wanted to say thank you all three videos that you have posted on mixing desks. It is very helpful...

[@zeroblueSTC]

Thanks! I've just been thrown in the deep end. I'm manning a mixing deck at a live outdoor gig tomorrow and this will be a first time in front of a deck. At least now I have an idea of what's what. Wish me luck.

[@matttrebing536]

Very comprehensive video. We are starting a Youth AV team for our student ministry and this is exactly the kind of content I need to help bring our young kids along.

[@cjwetzel22]

Thanks for this! It is the best I have seen on the Allen & Heath board. Answers a lot of questions for me as a new operator and I will use to train others.

[@keokiheller4351]

Aloha from Hawaii! Thanks for posting!!! Greatly appreciated!👌🏼😎👍🏽😇

[@djfingersflores]

GREAT video Tom! Very well explained and straight to the point, NO FLUFF. I love it, keep rockin' steady brother

[@Genna797]

Thanks for putting out this video I’m super new at this and the info in the manual wasn’t really sticking. Everything makes much more sense now!

[@christwefollowministries8224]

This was real helpful than most of the videos on KZbin with the same topic.

[@SamuelBullock]

Great job, very easy to follow. Now I will be able to get the best sound from my equipment.

[@randyfinchum4601]

This was exactly what I needed...thank you for sharing your knowledge sir!

[@USMC_BABE38]

Thanks for making this more clearer I had my first tranning last Tuesday I'm going to be doing a dry run with trainer who has been training me I'm super nervous about it but I can do this

[@MyRandomCommentsXD]

Got a church camp coming up, of which I am required to rent and set up the entire sound system. This and your PA system video helped tremendously!

[@johnkajwang9278]

hi Tom. am very much thankful for the lesion . actually I have longing to ask a question on the use of monitor but today you have made it clear to me. thank

[@chrismay5619]

I agree with this is the best explanation that I have come across. Thank you

[@bearpitrock]

Mate. That was such a great refresher. Thank you.

[@Virmich]

Very good, you are quite versed in the use of the instrument and have brought great clarity to the beginner.thanks much

[@patrickcallan8256]

Well done! Thanks for taking the time to make this tutorial .. you have a better grasp than most other youtube'rs on how to use this board.

[@earl4466gray]

Thanks so much for posting this! It's very clear and easy to understand even for a complete beginner. Very helpful.

[@joyjones5546]

I love his videos, they are well explained, clear as chrystal

[@paintgod4]

Tom, thank you for your useful and easy to follow video on mixer setup and I learned a lot!

[@olglez9230]

Thank you. This is so useful. And straight to the point

[@kmchale1313]

Dude...awesome!! I wish it gave very specific monitoring set up and mix but I just learned a ton.

[@LFC2458]

Fantastic Tutorial tekasza very clear instructions mate. Learnt a lot. Cant understand the small amount of people who have disliked. Certain people mate just don't take in simple instructions. Well done,and keep it up. Cya mate.

[@MichaelGorodezky]

Just what I needed. I know very little. Now I know a lot more. Thanks for the lingo.

[@MartinLang1625]

I'm looking to buy a Zed 24 mixer today and this is a great vid to introduce me to it. Thanks!

[@mauryisraelvillegasmorris4487]

Awesome vid bro👏🏽💯Starting my journey into audio operations▶️💯

[@nihaomao3063]

Thank you so much. So simple and straight forward.

[@kennyle7132]

Awesome tutorial man! Learnt so much in a short amount of time :)

[@edwardgrabczewski]

Nice and clear introduction. Thanks!

[@mashbrothers7354]

It Worked perfectly after trying other methods this one was the best one, Thanks.

[@bornagain0909012012]

Thanks brother! I'm sure I'll be watching this over and over and over again! 😅 I'm just starting out with sound board to help my church!

[@Lightsidegun]

That was excellent. Thanks for making the video!

[@kevinbrown1357]

I really appreciate your in depth tutorial

[@dwuzzup1]

killer tutorial.. you the man!

[@tmkcooking]

Great tutorial and explanation. I play a little guitar on a basic amp and always wondered what all these knobs and buttons actually control. Now I know 👍

[@easygeorge3161]

You are a very good teacher ,, you explain it very clearly.

[@Hernandezvideofilmaudio]

Excellent video. I totally understand my own mixer now 😊

[@ausi1189]

Such a great video! Thank you

[@musicfanmic]

Thank you. Extremely helpful!✌️

[@louissellers5410]

Really nice job! Thanks!

[@MrMusicmicky]

Perfect, all the essential info! Thanks!

[@chellypooh2012]

You explain this FABULOUS!!!

[@jacksondog740]

Excellent explanation

[@thedistinguishinguctcampai671]

Wooow, best mixer tutorial ever, Thank you bro

[@CurtisPruettSr]

Good info and to the point! Perfect 👏👏

[@RelaxingMusic-mp8lq]

Organic info .Excellent.

[@tomconnally7953]

I have had a mixer for years and now I know how to use it!

[@meandmysunshine1]

Thank you! This was very helpful!

[@bernie4436]

Easy to understand. Thank you

[@naykoz]

Thank you SO much for this video :) it really helped me out!

[@mohammedbruh7219]

Informative and well explained, thank you

[@BIGDADDY-vl6qf]

A lot of good info here! Thanks for this!

[@RoddyTullenz]

This tutorial is eq’d perfectly.

[@rogercook58]

Like you said, " It all comes down to the ear. And that takes practice. Great job my brother. 1/29/2021

[@themcclendonhouse4946]

awesome video man. I learned alot! God bless you brother!

[@mrmajestika]

That was great thank you all the relevant things to know if starting out helps me a great deal

[@amiyahentertainmentgroup4860]

Awesome Tutorial. Thanks a mil.

[@kaneshka20]

Thank you for your information, greatly appreciated

[@eddydivine7289]

Very helpful! Thank you and God bless you

[@romanzlatov1856]

This is so good. Thank you so much!

[@nathanbrewer6032]

Excellent job, thank you!

[@anthonycosta2662]

Dude, great job. Thank yoy

[@cromulus]

This was great, man. Thanks!

[@1974crystalful]

Thank Tom, very useful!

[@partycity55]

Very very informative video - Thank You

[@rosabellailluminous3811]

Thank you for making this!! I've been thrown into running sound boards in the past (even the master fader app) but didn't quite understand how the input vs. output worked or how to fix what I heard (usually just turned dials until it got fixed). I even heard someone on a mic the other day and even though they were loud, they had a very muffled sound-too much "body". As of now, I *know* the first range I would tweak (mid). Well done!

[@raymondreyes2704]

Very helpful! I appreciate you!

[@ryckeymylez3307]

This was by far the best noob video for sound engineering.

[@debbieporter2509]

What a great tutorial. I actually have this video on my iphone so it is handy.