LIVE SOUND
Maxime Brunet was introduced to audio at the age of 17 through community radio . She now works as both a club and touring front of house engineer . She developed an introduction to sound class , the DIY Audio Tech Workshop for Women + , which she has taught throughout Ontario .
This article was originally published by OttawaShowbox . com .
By Maxime Brunet
Getting into Sound Engineering
Have you ever looked at the back of a room during a show and noticed a person straining their neck to listen to the band while also fiddling with some knobs and faders ? That ’ s the sound engineer . Often forgotten until there ’ s monitor feedback or someone needs an instrument cable , they are an important part of local venues .
My journey as a live sound engineer began in 2010 when I started shadowing the legendary Slo Tom at the now defunct Zaphods in Ottawa . Prior to this , I ’ d worked recording ads and interviews in the production department at CHUO 89.1FM and recorded my own bands at home , but live sound was a different beast . Feedback , working with different musicians and music genres every night , as well as the notion that the show must always go on were very much part of this game ! Shadowing Slo Tom was a great experience and I learned to always treat musicians with respect and not give in to the grumpy sound tech stereotypes .
By that summer , I was given my very first solo shifts at Café Dekcuf . Without going into too many details , let me tell you that I learned a lot that weekend – everything from microphone stand placement to monitor feedback to how to never speak to a lead singer again . While my first night working alone went off without incidents , I almost ran out of the room on night two due to the crazy amount of monitor feedback . Fortunately , I stopped myself . I had the foresight to realize it would be hard to convince a club owner to hire me again if I took off mid-show !
I have now been working full-time as a live sound engineer for eight years in clubs in Ottawa and Toronto and as a touring front of house and monitor engineer . Here are some tips and tricks to get you started on your live sound journey .
Find Someone to Shadow In my opinion , the best way to learn how to do live sound is to shadow a live sound engineer . Don ’ t be afraid to ask local sound techs to come and shadow them as they work . Offer to help them patch the stage , work the show , and put away equipment . Ask questions . If you frequently shadow , a sound tech might let you mix an opening band – a great way to put your skills to use . Alternatively , there are audio programs at colleges throughout Canada , but these can be expensive .
Always Be Ready to Learn Those first few weeks on the job were a whirlwind of new information for me , from ways to ring out the feedback from monitors to how to properly patch a stage . Ask questions and learn from your mistakes . Find other local sound engineers to network and share knowledge with , or join online communities such as Soundgirls . org , Womeninlivemusic . eu , or the Women ’ s Audio Mission to access great articles , training videos , and forums . ( Note that these resources are available to everyone , not just women .)
No Show Is Too Small When you ’ re starting out , take all the gigs you can and learn from them . Do you have a friend who is organizing a show in a coffee shop ? Offer to set up the PA for them and run sound . Even if it ’ s just amplifying three vocal mics , you will learn from this experience . No one starts off mixing in arenas , and it ’ s in those small venues where you will learn how to problem solve on the fly – an essential skill in live sound .
Know Your Allies I am forever grateful to the community of sound techs I met through my work in Ottawa . My fellow Mavericks coworkers were the ones who helped me refine my monitor ringing skills on those first few shifts . Likewise , they were always available to answer questions when I had them . Most live sound work is freelance and it ’ s important to connect with your peers . You never know when you will work with someone again , or when a friend might be sick and need a substitute for a gig .
Treat People with Respect From the musicians on stage to the touring sound techs who come through your place of work , treat people how you would want to be treated . Don ’ t talk down to musicians about their amp tone or singing technique , but feel free to offer guidance in a gentle way if you think the performer could be open to your opinion . Likewise , if you are a touring sound engineer , the local sound engineer is there to assist you and make your day easier , so no need to be rude with them . I remember some of the first bigger shows I worked and the way some of the touring engineers talked down to me . When I am on tour and working with a new engineer , I try and show them tips and tricks if they ’ re doing things in a way that doesn ’ t work for my show , instead of simply yelling at them .
Know When to Say No You never have to do anything that makes you uncomfortable , whether it ’ s working somewhere with safety concerns such as electrical hazards or inappropriate venue staff or musicians . As a woman , I have been in situations where musicians or touring engineers have inappropriately touched my body while on a show . There is never a situation where this is OK . If this happens to you and you feel comfortable doing so , report the individual .
Have Fun Live sound is a creative job . Work with the bands you ’ re mixing in achieving their desired sound , and don ’ t be afraid to try something that seems totally unconventional .
DIY Audio Tech Workshop for Women +
Shameless self-promotion : if live sound is something that interests you , I teach an intro to sound class for women + ( inclusive of trans and non-binary persons ) in Ottawa . For more information , visit the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition site at www . ottawamic . com .
60 • CANADIAN MUSICIAN