The Top 15 Things That Annoy the Crap Out of Your Local Sound Guy

"When someone insults you or makes fun of you or is mean to you..don't try to be victorious. That's ego shit. you don't need to "win" over them and be defensive. Instead learn more about what is hurting that person and use it to be something you learn about them. You aren't what they say you are, those harsh words are simply a reflection of their own life" - Shiny Toy Guns

To read more from Doug Siebum, check out his interview in the book Beyond Sound by Scott L Phillips, Oxford University Press.

http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Sound-College-Career-Technology/dp/0199837686/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369105105&sr=1-1&keywords=beyond+sound+scott+L+phillips

Wow, whiny whiny whiny. 

Think you've got a tough lot in life? Try finding the chef at the place you're working at... or if you don't have a chef, because they've been "replaced" by handful of guys without papers (who will still work harder in 1 week than you will in a year, despite no overtime pay on 80 hours per week, no benefits, no breaks, and absolutely *no* respect,) try finding a place that does have an actual chef; ask them how much they get paid, ask what a typical day in their typical week looks like, ask them what sort of criticisms and annoying requests they run up against on a regular basis... then take a look at your article again.

This snobbish, art-school-kid, "I'm a precious and delicate snowflake, because of my creativity, despite the fact that the purpose I serve is largely utilitarian, so I'm above being exposed to minor drudgery, and exposure to the words of those who I considered unenlightened" attitude, is completely infuriating to people who actually have to work hard for a living.

I have read many of the Band and sound man comments. It is all very interesting. I have not worked with some of the big names, and I started long ago. I found the following approaches had good effect. #1, I would take a few minutes to meet the people on the band write down the names of the people I am working with, #2  I would tell them that the sound check was for them. I wanted them to be happy and satisfied with the sound on stage, have them play a few songs, not completely, stop when they want and tell me, a little more here or there in what monitor. Yes, yes, the loud guitar player, well that has been discussed, and guitar speaker placement is paramount. Keep in mind I am an old guy. We would turn 2 x 15 guitar cabinets backwards, didn't even mike them. Nobody lost their hearing that night. #3, work with all the guys/girls in the band. Remember, in their mind, you are subservient to them, which is fine. Compliment the guys on guitar sound, kick drum/snake tuning, harmonies etc after sound check if your happy, if not go back. #4, if everything goes well, the wives/girlfriends will tell the band how great they sound. The band will tell you after the show, sometimes thank you through the PA if the crowd is hopped up. #5, Never be happy with the mix. Always think of what could be better, what to try next time. I come from an era where having the power to get a tight kick/bass on the floor was a challenge, regardless of the band., and of course, #6, if the band isn't that good, and you know it, their friends will think they are great because of your mix, and you will be a hero!! Please don't get the impression that I am an old has been. I was doing this before the guitar effects processor or electronic tuner was invented, so I guess I am. I did attend an after concert party with Fleetwood Mac and Deep Purple in 1972 in Duluth Minnesota  which is the day when I got my desire to learn about concert sound engineering. I can describe the PA to you if you are interested. Sincerely Graham

One thing I've learned after thousands of performances over the last 38 years: if you're a guitar player with the amp pointing at your ankles/knees, it's going to cause problems.  I've found a lot of "GTL" (Guitar's Too Loud) situations can be solved by using amp stands or a block to point the amp at the guitarist's head.
Yeah, I know, very simple.  But you'd be amazed how many players - especially at festivals and small clubs - don't do this.  Then they crank the amp.  And there's nothing a sound person can do, as everyone else follows suit.
That being said, I would not look forward to working with the author of this article.  If you don't treat every gig like it matters ("Forgive me if I'm bored") then you're in the wrong line of work.  Get a day job.

- Russell "Hitman" Alexander
The Hitman Blues Band

Uh-oh did did the drummer go home with you're girlfriend again?

"It's amplified sound. If it sounds like crap, it will be amplified crap."

This is only true most of the time.

Don't forget about the sound girls as well!

And the number two thing I hate about a sound guy is:

When the shitty pretentious sound god blames his lack of talent on the band.

Fails to mention my #1 gripe as a professional soundperson: too much stage volume. Ten times out of ten, if you're at a club and the sound is wrong/bad, it's because the band's too  loud, leaving the soundguy no headroom with which to mix. If I walk into some other soundguy's show and the mix is horrible, and I can't hear anything, I walk up to the board and ten times outta ten, only the vocal faders are up, because all the instruments are too loud. Furthermore, if a band asks how it sounds, they're doing that to show the audience they care, not to piss of Sound Boy, because the show is about the band and the crowd, not Sound Boy, who sounds to me like he needs to get over himself. I carry spares; spare strings, picks, drumsticks, a multitude of adapters, drum key, tuner(s) and a complete soldering kit. I consider it part of the job, because musicians tend to be forgetful; not only to they fail to bring stuff they need, but they often leave stuff behind that they're gonna need.. My number #2 gripe is clubs without adequate electrical service for the demands of a show or with insufficient house gear.

Crazy!! Nate Jackson,, you are clueless!!

Perhaps we,, Sound Engineers should do an article on what it's like being a small time reporter who spent years and years in school,, only to get paid less than an average sound tech??

Don't be bitter,, be better Nate,, just because you have to go into a boring office everyday and get the news handed to you by some national news source,,,doesn't mean you have to be bitter at those of us who love our professions..

I totally agree with the other guys comments,, what type of amateur, negative, bitter, little monster came up with this article??.. Shame on you Nate Jackson,,.. you clearly think your very clever and like to look down your nose at our profession and yet have no idea what your talking about.. (Hey Village Voice,, where do you find these reporters??)

I myself have been a Professional Sound Engineer for the past 11 Years,, working all over the world,,for some of the biggest companies there is,, and I love my career thanks Nate..It's an honor to make peoples night and experiences,, no matter how big or small the venue..

(and,, even the drunk people can be a pleasure!!)

In fact since moving back to Canada I am working hard to change the view of techs across this Country and it's silly articles like this,, that make me sick... Thanks for continuing on the typical stereo types Nate.

And I totally agree with kras1983,, you sir are the amateur.. I hope your career is as short and useless as your article..

Wow.  As a sound guy working clubs in Boston for the past 7+ years, I'm really bummed to read a list of 15 items that justify the sound guy being a dick and having a lame attitude.  Most of these things on this list are so petty and not important, that you should really know better how to deal with "amateur" questions with a smile on your face instead of a scowl.  Prick.  The title of this article should really be "The Top 15 things musicians should do to their local sound guy to judge whether he's competent or not"  I deal with all 15 of these things 5 nights a week, every week, all the time.  And I do it with ease, and just sometimes, people really thank me for not being an asshole and making a great sounding mix.

You sir, are an amateur.

"14. When people ask me for a table or try to place a drink order with me. You're talking to the wrong guy."

Wah. I'm a self-important douchebag clearly superior to the chumps taking drink orders and bussing tables.

"13. When people expect me to be as excited to be there as they are. Where this might be their every once-in-a-while night on the town, I do this 3 to 7 nights a week every week. Forgive me if I look bored.

12. When people expect me to want to go to a club on my night off. Can we just go someplace quiet and peaceful instead?"

I experience these same exact things, every bit as regularly, I'm sure, and neither -- by any stretch of the imagination -- "annoy the crap out of" me. I bet the same goes for the bartenders and servers he's so eager to shit on.
"9. When bands ask me to turn the monitor up. Each monitor is a separate mix. Tell me what instrument or vocal you want to hear in the monitor and I will turn that up for you."

This really isn't rocket science. If the bass player asks for a louder monitor, turn up the monitor that the bass player is standing in front of.
"8. When bands tell me they want to hear everything in the monitor. If I put everything in the monitor it's just going to sound like mud because it's a mono mix and everything is on top of each other."

Not if you know how to mix.
"6. When bands ask the crowd how it's sounding out there. That's insulting. I do this for a living."

(rolls eyes)
"5. When people call or text me before 10 a.m. I just went to sleep a few hours ago."

Oh, so you DO like to party after the show. Right.
"2. When people blame the band's lack of talent or poor equipment on the sound guy. It's amplified sound. If it sounds like crap, it will be amplified crap."

Totally right on. 

Except for the myriad times when the sound guy sucks.
Love,
A sound guy who isn't a self-important, whiny prick.

What a bunch of self-serving egotistical drivel. "I do this for a living" does not equal "I know what I'm doing and I'm good at it". I've been to way too many concerts, in stadiums, medium and small venues, indoors and outdoors, where the sound is mixed poorly. (At this point, I'm pleasantly surprised when the sound is good.) Sometimes it's just too loud for the size of the venue and the style of music, many times the bass and kick drum are mixed higher than everything else, sometimes you can't hear the vocals. Sometimes the EQ on an acoustic instrument is all wrong. If I can get there, I always go and politely tell the sound people (using terminology that indicates I have some sound tech experience) if I hear a problem. Sometimes I get gratitude, and sometimes I get attitude in response. So I think it's great if the band asks how it sounds. It shows they care, and the sound tech might learn something.

Bitter much?

Bitter much?

Bitter much?

Bitter much?

Look, I've been a sound guy for 30+ years and when I hear an engineer complain about the ignorance of the audience then it just tells me more about him than I want to know. Yeah, it's annoying but they're the ones buying the ticket that pay your wage so they deserve a modicum of respect plus I'm sure your clients would appreciate you not dissing the fans. People may not remember you but they always remember the way you make them feel, so deal with it and don't be an asshole and maybe someone will thank you instead.

This one is for you Matt Stoody !