For the first time in 10 months of podcasting, Sean and Andy were together in the same place, so how better to celebrate than with a livestream? They talk about meeting up for a music festival Sean’s company (Audio Engineers Northwest) provided a PA and support for, in addition to presenting a demo of the TT+ GTX 12 line array (courtesy of show spo…

In Episode 97, James and Gary discuss an important part of live sound, practice. The little things we take note of, listen for, and learn along the way add up and result in a smoother and better service. The hosts also discuss incorporating tools like virtual soundcheck that allow you to practice without a band and EQ apps to help you discover tone…

Summer concert and event season is in full swing, and Sean’s company (Audio Engineers Northwest) has been running full steam with some exciting gigs the last couple weeks. Two of his regular freelancers, Kyle Shaw and Matt Ratza, join the show this week to talk about what it took the last couple weeks to pull off a huge open air concert on a docksi…

Over the Fourth of July holiday, Andy teamed up with some Signal to Noise guest host alumni, as Kate Foretek pulled up the co-host chair once more to hang with previous guest host, theatrical sound designer and live foley artist ien DeNio. The jam-packed episodes includes tales of travel hijinks, pounding beers as part of a puppet show sound design…

In Episode 96, James and Gary discuss effects, often termed “FX” for short. It’s important to remember that with great power comes great responsibility — particularly when it comes to the application of effects in the mix. The hosts share their observation that the two effects the majority of mix engineers deploy most frequently are reverb and dela…

This week, the hosts get nerdy with Chris Tsanjoures, one of the Rational Acoustics folks behind the Smaart measurement platform, a veteran podcast guest and an avid enthusiast of squiggly lines and measurement geekery. He answers all of Sean and Andy’s questions about Rational’s new Smaart Data Modeler in addition to addressing some of their other…

Fresh off mixing the Broadway musical The Outsiders to a Tony Award win for Best Sound Design of a Musical for sound designer Cody Spencer, Broadway sound engineer and regular SoundGirls contributor Heather Augustine sits down with Andy and Sean to chat about her long touring career (including Billy Elliot, Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Mis…

In Episode 95, James and Gary discuss all things compression — not only what compression is but how it effects different instruments or sections during a service. The hosts share some basics and starting points they use when compressing in the mix. Compression is ultimately a tool that can help achieve a desired sound and when used correctly, impro…

In Episode 255, Andy is joined by DC-area based sound engineer Joe “Chef” McGrath, fresh off working together on a now rare “industrial musical” in NY this week. They start off talking about Joe’s extensive work as the mixer for the Ultimate Rap League, and why the mic of choice for them for rap battles might be the brand you’d expect, but almost c…

It’s time for an end-of-spring check-in, as Andy and Sean sit down at the microphones in Episode 254 to catch up on everything they’ve been up to the last month. Sean talks about his trip to Texas to help with a loudspeaker demo for RCF and gives Andy and the listeners a follow-up on his adventures in freewire DSP from a couple episodes ago. Meanwh…

In Episode 94, James and Gary discuss the relationship between audio techs and musicians. It all starts with building positive communication and thinking about not only what is said, but how it’s said. At the end of the day, both audio techs and musicians are needed to put on a good service, and when they’re working together and sharing ideas, that…

Veteran front of house engineer Paul Bevan joins the show in Episode 253 and discusses his eclectic career that includes mixing a wide range of gigs, from regal (Boston Pops Fourth of July) to raucous (Mott the Hoople), and just about everything in between. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF. While his music mixing resume is extensi…

In Episode 93, James and Gary discuss four pillars of a great mix: a great sounding source, capturing the source the right way, level balance and gain structure, and using high and low-pass filtering. Essentially if you start with clean sound, capture it the right way, balance the levels and then make small cuts to fit it all together, a quality re…

In Episode 252, the hosts are joined by Elliot Carroll, director of audio services for Show Imaging, who talks about the business side of audio — deciding what gear to buy (or, more importantly, not buy), when to say yes or no to a proposed project, training staff, keeping staff happy and healthy on job sites, and much more. Elliot’s spent the past…

In Episode 251, Tony-award sound designer Jessica Paz joins the show and talks about all things Broadway and touring sound design, including how to make a theatre sound like a stadium or an intimate office as well as the trials and tribulations of doing live theatre outdoors at New York’s iconic Delacorte Theatre for Shakespeare in the Park, and mo…

In Episode 92, co-hosts James and Gary discuss the foundation of great audio. A solid base starts with the setup. System design, where the loudspeakers are located and where they’re pointed. System tuning, taking those loudspeakers and applying EQ and delay so they all work together. Finally the console setup, having a clear detailed map so you inc…

In Episode 250, Sean and Andy take it back to the early days of grunge when they talk to Craig Montgomery, the front of house engineer for Nirvana. He details mixing and managing small tours and festivals in a van with Kurt, Dave, and Krist from 1989 to 1993 as well as going on to tour manage for Hole, and mix and tour manage other well-known artis…

In Episode 249, Sean and Andy gather around the microphones with Sam Kusnetz, education and training manager for Figure 53’s QLab and founder of Team Sound, maker of MIDI hardware and testers specifically designed for live audio playback users. Sam talks about growing up and falling into theatre in New York, working on smaller tours and regional th…

In Episode 91, co-hosts James and Gary dive into the world of immersive audio. What is it, where do we find it and why is it becoming more popular? Is immersive audio worth looking into for your space? What are ways that it could be used for worship services? The Church Sound Podcast is sponsored by DiGiCo and Electro-Voice. Check out James Attaway…

In Episode 248, the hosts visit with front of house engineer Burton Ishmael, who is currently mixing Madonna’s global Celebration tour, and learn about how the artist sought him out after hearing him mix Post Malone, the latest in a list of A-List hip-hop and R&B acts on his resume that also includes Lil Baby, Nas, Big Sean, Miguel, and H.E.R., and…

In Episode 247, the co-hosts catch up after Sean returns from his first vacation since starting his company. Sean fills Andy in on turning a trip to visit the RCF factory into a vacation for his entire family. He gives a recap of his awesome time visiting the factory and seeing how the loudspeakers he’s bought for his company are made and tested, p…

In Episode 90, the hosts focus on a critical pillar of audio: gain structure and balancing. They discuss how to prepare for a service so you don’t have to make gain adjustments during the worship service — it can throw off everything. They also share strategies and preferences when diving into a mix, including where they like to start. And don’t su…

In Episode 89, the co-hosts get back to the music. In a world with a million and one ways to shape, present, and experience music, how do we get out of our own way and be present in the moment? The Church Sound Podcast is sponsored by DiGiCo and Electro-Voice. They talk about ways to set up before an event and tips to make sure we don’t miss a beat…

In Episode 246, Sean, Andy and guest co-host Kate Foretek talk with financial advisor Bailie Slevin to get the lowdown on making your money work for you as a freelancer to plan for both the future you expect, and the one you don’t! This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF. A combination of finance ninja and theatre nerd, Bailie is a busin…

Kenny Barnwell joins Andy in Episode 245 to discuss how to nurture and maintain healthy relationships while working away from home. His advice — which even those who don’t tour will find valuable — touches on communication strategies, mutual support and accountability, self-awareness and boundaries, and how to include your family in your life and y…

Picking up where they left off in last time (here), in Episode 244 Sean and Andy continue their roundtable on corporate event audio with Aram Piligian, Brian Maddox, and Michael Curtis. Previously, they looked at the input side of corporate audio, and this time, focus shifts to the outputs — how to balance the needs of the live sound in the room wi…

Many of us spend tons of time talking about things like crafting the perfect kick drum or guitar or lead vocal, but in Episode 243, we focus the podcast on another important but less recognized set of “money” inputs — corporate event vocals. In part one of a two-part deep dive into mixing corporate events, Andy and Sean bring together a collection …

If you're wondering if we added another bass player to the podcast, we didn't -- he plays drums. Samantha and James welcome on another new co-host, Gary Zandstra, to bring in new perspectives and even more educational content for you listeners. Gary is a long-time contributor and author for Church Sound Magazine, and we couldn't be happier having h…

In Episode 242, Andy and guest host Aram Piligian talk with Mark Russie, who retired from a long career as a Las Vegas-based A1 and A2 to start a small business manufacturing the Lav Magnet and Beltpack Bar, tools he originally invented to make his own life on corporate events easier. Mark shares the story of how, after multiple manufacturers told …

In a “shocking” Episode 241, Sean and Andy talk with Richard Cadena, author of the book “Electricity for the Entertainment Electrician & Technician” as well as serving as a freelance lighting designer, lighting consultant, and trainer. He’s worked on concert tours, television, and theatre, and has designed dozens of lighting systems for permanent i…

Chicago-based front of house engineer and tour manager Dave Unger joins the show in Episode 240 and talks about his career mixing high-energy world music artists that include Femi Kuti and the Positive Force, Bombino, Sierra Leone Refugee Allstars, and many others at some of the highest profile venues and festivals in the world such as Coachella, t…

James is out having some family bonding time while they welcome their new daughter into the world! While James is away, the networking comes out to play! On this episode, Samantha welcomes Kat Taub from Audinate to discuss Dante and all the technology that's coming onto the network. Additionally, they discuss how to approach learning networked audi…

In Episode 239, the hosts are joined by Marc Alan, front of house engineer for legendary artist Jose Feliciano as well as the production manager and FOH at the Wall Street Theater in Norwalk, CT and the marketing director of Factory Underground Studio. He goes deep on what it’s like working with an artist like Jose at this point of his incredibly l…

Last week, while Andy was home in NY catching up on work after a vacation in Iceland, Sean headed to LA (well, Anaheim) to take in the 2024 NAMM Show. In Episode 238, the two catch up — Sean talks about everything he saw and learned at the show, how lessons learned at a trade show translate to how we run live events and shows, getting to meet up wi…

James and Samantha welcome back Ben Ivey to talk all about mixing in houses of worship and beyond! Ben Ivey is a touring FOH Engineer, Production Manager and Consultant based out of Atlanta, Georgia. Ben serves a variety of clients ranging from national acts, corporate companies and churches. Within the last year his clients have included Priscilla…

In Episode 237, four members of the audio team for Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps — Jonathan Yoo, Rosa Westfall, Tyler Hanson and Cole O’Malley — join Andy Leviss to talk about what goes into reinforcing sound for a modern Drum Corps International performance. They provide an in-depth look at the ins and outs of a true “battleground” audio sit…

It’s time to get our system engineer and designer hats on for Episode 236, as the hosts talk to Pat Brown of SynAudCon and Pro Sound Testing about all things loudspeakers, measurement mics, gain structure, and more. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF. Note: Pat and Brenda Brown are offering a 10 percent discount on any SynAudCon tra…

In Episode 235, the hosts are joined by Suzi Green, tour manager and founder of The BACK LOUNGE, a peer support group for the live music industry. She talks about her journey out of and back into the music world with a new mission to help make it a better place, creating healthier work environments, mental health first aid, and more. This episode i…

Audio “renaissance man” Jim van Bergen joins the show in Episode 234 to talk about his wide-ranging career, including his tenure mixing the Times Square New Year’s Eve broadcasts, serving as front of house engineer for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, recording singer-songwriter Shane MacGowan live, touring with the Metropolitan Opera, mixing th…

To wrap up the year, the hosts of Signal To Noise and Live Sound Bootcamp joined forces in Episode 233 for an extra special live episode to talk about all things audio — favorite gigs of the year, goals for 2024, fun toys, and a deep dive into console presets, drum mics and processing, in addition to answering listener questions from the live chat!…

Chicago-based live audio legend TC Furlong joins the show in Episode 232 and talks about his journey in founding a live audio company that just celebrated its 50th anniversary, his life as a pedal steel player in a one-hit wonder band, and the details of a tool he invented in the 1980s that many of us still use on every single music gig we do nearl…

Can there be a party if there's only 2 people? We say yes! Happy Winter Holidays! That's a Merry Christmas to the Christians, a Happy Hanukkah to the Jewish, and a Magnificent Kwanzaa to those who celebrate it! Merry Winter Solstice and a Happy New Year to all! This week, James and I have a quick check in and reminder to everyone: we appreciate you…

After a brief foray into his time touring the world with monster trucks, sound engineer/lighting designer/production manager/event producer Adam Brunetti joins the show in Episode 231 to talk about producing and mixing the Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series as well as the positive impact small music series and festivals can have on their cities, an…

In Episode 230, the co-hosts have a post-Thanksgiving catchup on a grab bag of topics, including an upcoming warehouse move, new consoles, and FX rack and reverb/delay settings, in addition to answering some listener questions and “nerding out” about making tastier coffee. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath, RCF, and Rational Acoustics. Epi…

You're frantically googling, trying to find out what the heck is so important about mixing even though there are seemingly 10,000 things to do! Have no fear, James and Samantha are here to help. This topic comes up constantly with new mixes and new volunteers always stepping up to the plate to help out. Let this episode shed a little light on what'…

In Episode 229 — and just in time for the holidays — the hosts put on their coziest pajamas and grab a virtual cup of hot cocoa with Joe Palermo to talk about his nearly decade-long tenure as the sound designer for the Polar Express Ride Experience, a theatrical production that takes place on fully functional (and moving!) Amtrak trains in the U.S.…

Long-time professional touring musician and Live Sound International/ProSoundWeb writer Kevin Young joins the show in Episode 228 and talks about a range of subjects, including building and maintaining the artist-tech relationship, concert production in the middle of an active war zone in Ukraine, and more. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heat…

Achieving consistency is one of the most important goals for mixing as soon as you graduate from newbie to intermediate mixer. Whether that's consistency between services, between weeks, or between engineers, if we have consistency it leaves space for meaningful worship, quality broadcasting, and more cohesive experiences all-around. Samantha and J…

Mix engineer, sound designer and technical manager Pete Wiejaczka joins the show in Episode 227 and talks all things corporate/special events, including the importance of client and vendor relationships, putting together the right team for each show, varying responsibilities with different scales of events, transitioning to freelance work after mor…

Crowd mics (and by extension, room mics) are an easy way to help out the musicians on stage, and everyone tuning in to the broadcast feed. James and Samantha dive into setting up crowd and room mics, what the difference is, how we process them, and when the best times to start using them are! Co-host Samantha Potter is also co-lead instructor with …