Better Sound, through Sight

Of all the things that differentiate sound guys (1), one of the biggest factors in a successful live performance (2) is awareness. A brilliant technician with great ears, but without constant awareness of what is happening on stage, will eventually mess something up.

As a sound guy, a big goal is to be unnoticed during the show. The sound guy isn't on stage. You might be scrambling behind the mixer, overcoming all kinds of unexpected obstacles, putting on a truly virtuoso performance. The highest praise you could ask for is that the audience would never realize there was a single problem. If someone says, "easy show, eh?" you've done very well.

The best-rehearsed "performances" I run sound for are weddings. Worship services, concerts, meetings, and seminars tend to have last-minute changes. Last-minute, in this context, really means something more like "okay, next thing on the schedule is the solo vocalist--wait a second, the band isn't supposed to be starting up!" People forget program orders, or just forget to tell the tech crew when they change things. Sometimes, the tech crew doesn't even get a program.

In situations like that, the best tool a sound guy has is his eyes. If the sound guy keeps his eyes on the stage--stays aware of what the folks up front are doing--surprises and scrambles won't turn into anything the audience notices.

Awareness of what's being said up front helps, too. Instead of just listening to the mix an adjusting levels, listen to the words. Regardless of what the schedule says, the MC is usually right. Following the MC's lead can give a sound guy a very valuable few extra seconds.

The job of a sound guy is to make sure the audience can hear "the show", and keep the show from being interrupted by sound problems. Your eyes are a big part of avoiding awkward moments.

"Thanks, everyone, for being here..." [Puzzled look at microphone] "Thanks, everyone..."
[Sound guy notices; unmutes channel, and slowly begins to fade up as the speaker continues.]
"...here, and enjoy the show!"
[Audience starts wondering if they'll be able to hear anything.]

(1) Sound guys, audio guys, sound engineers--whatever you call them. The term does not exclude female sound-people, but really, doesn't "sound-people" make you think of Star Wars?

(2) Well-rehearsed shows are probably not as affected. If your digital mixer can run your two-hundred-ninety-first performance of Oklahoma without your involvement, feel free to take a nap.