10 Tips to stop people staring at the defenceless Sound Technician
These aren't commandments, but they'll save you from a bunch of mistakes:
- Sound Check, Sound Check, Sound Check!
In some installations there is a rule, "if you don't sound check then you don't go on" You might not have that power but it highlights how vital it is to check your system works as expected. Everyone has plugged a cable in the wrong place and a basic 'test, test' and play music through all speakers. - Extra Cables To Hand
If you have a spare XLR or instrument cable to hand (and ideally a DI box too) then you can switch something over with minimal fuss. - Test Batteries and Have Spares!
A battery tester is probably the cheapest and best investment you can make. It takes little to always double-check a wireless mic has a full battery. If you can afford it use a new battery each time and the old ones for testing only. - Expect The Unexpected
In a large one-off event you'll almost certainly have to provide another mic or instrument somewhere or might find someone using the wrong mic. - Get The Plan
If you can find out what is supposed to happen, even if just which instruments or mics are needed then you'll have more time to focus on problems. Also you won't be surprised by special requests like playing a DVD. - Start Early!
If you can get in from the start then you'll be able to set up the system before everyone else arrives and focus on making it sound good. Time is your friend! - Don't be Lazy
People often want to help out with sound though you can't let them do everything. You can quickly double-check connections with a 'wiggle' and do things like wiring up the amps and desk yourself. - Cable Tidiness & Gaffa Tape
Although it helps with sourcing sound problems the tip here is to tape down your cables and keep where they cross key pedestrian paths to a minimum. Power-cables especially need protecting as someone tripping over it and pulling out the cable to a mixing desk or amp is silly. - Stay on The Desk
Yes you probably could visit the toilet during a long speech without anything going wrong but it will backfire and you'll be caught running back to sort out some silly goof like a mic you left on that someone knocks. - Pay Attention and Anticipate!
You'll find that most mistakes occur because the sound person is chatting to their friend and not looking at the musician pulling the cable from their guitar or leader holding the wireless mic speaking away without being heard.
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