r/livesound:

u/TooFartTooFurious

Good point. I am grouping them in that manner. But Im cognizant of the fact that they are individuals. I do this all with a smile on my face and an obviously playful approach. Might have done well to mention that in the post, which was also for fun. I have a well-established reputation at the club and in town as one of the most, if not the most, pleasing and down-to-earth technicians to work with. Im also the class clown. I didnt get into this line of work to sweat optics or live in fear of a power structure. I got into this line of work to make music better and have fun doing it. There isnt a show I work that a performer or guest tech or tour/production manager doesnt go out of their way to thank me for being kind, patient, and helpful. I take more pride in that than my mixing. To me, a pleasing mix is the bare minimum. I extend the same courteousness to every patron that I deal with. Im a house manager when Im not mixing, and perfectly happy to handle any situation that arises with compassionate wisdom and a quiet confidence. It is not, however, required of me to be a loser. I am allowed and encouraged to be myself. Coolest fucking dude in the club. Lover, hater, shallow, deepas complex and rich in spirit and intellect as all humans should feel empowered to be. Last night the opener thanked me after a great soundcheck. My response was Ahh fuck off! and everyone on stage laughed before dapping me up on their way off stage. I play the part I was born to play and Im happy that way. If I wanted to feel forced to use fake enthusiasm and be in constant in fear of losing my job for the slightest misstep Id work somewhere else. Fuck, Id work in corporate again. I quit my pandemic-era day job a year ago to get away from that. Its unhealthy and, frankly, acquiescent to capitalism and its undue burdens; put on people who I have no desire to emulate. Im happier doing music and being fun in a place where every night is a new challenge with a life-affirming payoff. Powerpoint just doesnt hit the same way. But sure, I represent the club or whatever. And in so doing Im permitted to come at people from a place of authenticity, without pandering to them in a desperate attempt to retain their patronage. We have a reputation as a venue, too, and its a good one. That rep is inclusive of our production quality and our people. It would be shortchanging our patrons, new and old, to alter any of that or put on a corporate front.
u/TooFartTooFurious

Youre not wrong, I am an asshole.
u/TooFartTooFurious

Thanks, Dad!
u/TooFartTooFurious

Uh you do you, boo. The real instructional procedure is as follows: Hold the mic vertically, by your chest, (frowning) and say Ice cream cone. Hold it up by your chin, angled toward your mouth, while smiling and nodding Say Microphone. Repeat once, quickly. Hand the mic off and expect the worst.
u/TooFartTooFurious

Totally get you. I have def witness ringy meltdowns that were show-stoppers and solely the fault of an underwater monitor engineer.
u/TooFartTooFurious

I get you but here are some factors that may contribute to that whole thing being customary. 1) There are usually more people in the audience than there are on stage. So while its less mixes its more ears to please. 2) The people on stage are getting paid to be there. The people out front paid to be there. 3) Before there were IEMs we all mixed on these things called wedges and side fills. It was a great way to cut your teeth learning your frequencies as well as the character and limitations of some of your gear in terms of loudness and feedback. Im probably gonna catch some shit for this but mixing ears is fucking easy. Like literally keep your eyes on stage and take care of your people. If youre on tour mixing the same songs every night, set up scene changes mix post-fader if you want. Theres obviously plenty more nuance Im not addressing but thats what Ive got for you.
u/TooFartTooFurious

like my nevermind
u/TooFartTooFurious

lmao – got me w this one
u/TooFartTooFurious

what happened to the days of starting on patch, getting promoted to mons, and working your way toward the option of mixing FOH? things done changed.
u/TooFartTooFurious

more like the glory hole.