Picture of soundboard at eFree where I run sound, Taken with cell phone
Well Chris Huff of behindthemixer.com is looking for what the sound tech thinks of the band members. He did a post of the musicians point of view. You can read that here. But here is my point of view on the musicians. Don’t get upset @kentsundberg if I offend you.
1. What could the musicians/singers do better?
-When a new song is added, it would be nice if it was listened to so they know how it is supposed to sound, rather then just trying to make it up as they go.
2. What do the musicians/singers do really well?
-We have great musicians who know what they are doing. It makes things very easy when the music is practiced and then know it well.
3. Where is the biggest disconnect between the sound tech and the praise bands?
-Sense the services I run are usually louder, its hard for me sometimes to communicate to them.
4. Do you take suggestions from the musicians/singers?
-I don’t get many suggestions other then from the worship pastor on how to the mix should sound. I do take his opinion and if I agree I adjust.
5. Do you give suggestions to the musicians/singers?
-I try to but most of the time my opinions are ignored.
Great post! You might talk with the musicians on #5. It would be good to know why they ignore your suggestions. Maybe it’s an age issue. Maybe they think they know better than you. Maybe they do know better. If you show them you are trying to help and trying to get better at what you do, they will probably be willing to help you where they can.
I have always had the problem with age and older people listening to me. I’m just about to turn 19 and those that are older sometimes have a harder time thinking that someone so much younger can know more; even though I have been doing this for almost six years now.
I wouldn’t say that age is a big factor in this discussion. It may seem like the best answer right now – but realistically – it’s real experience that will give a person credibility.
You mention that you have great musicians who know what they’re doing in #2, but then you say that they ignore your opinions… this is probably just because while you may be a great FOH operator, you haven’t proven yourself as a musician to them – musicians are just “like” that – they only take advise of those who they feel are “better” than them… that’s just the Musician-Side of things.
Thanks for the input Aaron. I hope to someday be up on that stage leading worship as well. But for now all I can do is practice. Maybe get some lessons too?