Sweetwater has written up a good overview of the fundamentals of live sound. There are a few different articles linked in the main one where you can dig deeper into some areas you’d like to know more about. https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/sound-advice-fundamentals-of-live-sound/

Sweetwater put together a good article explaining the importance of gain staging and how to achieve a mix with the lowest amount of noise and distortion.   https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/gain-staging/

Technology in the 1980s changed the game for record making, as synthesizers, drum machines, automation, sampling and other studio trickery entered the market. Draw inspiration from the era’s sounds for your mixes. https://www.waves.com/tips-for-mixing-and-producing-80s-sounds  

Waves put together a video doing a shootout between the CLA-3A, CLA-2A, and CLA-76 classic compressor models. Take a quick listen to hear the differences these compressors can have in your vocal processing chain.  

Get tips on how to choose and use different EQ plugins modeled on vintage hardware equalizers, and find out why engineers are still using these tried-and-true EQs after decades of recording technology innovation. https://www.waves.com/vintage-eq-plugin-guide  

Here’s another great video from Waves about how mixing can really change the style of a song. A lot of these tools utilized in the studio can easily be applied to live environments as well. If you have 20 minutes sometime, it’s an interesting watch! One Song, Two Mixes: How mixing can transform a song

Here’s a great article by Jeff Mac posted over on Sweetwater’s site. The points about masking and managing content in the 2-5K range I find especially helpful. Take a read when you have a minute. Reasons People Say “It’s Too Loud”

Craig Anderton has a helpful article posted on Sweetwater’s site about headroom. If you ever wonder why we set gains to a certain level, take a read through this. He also does a good job explaining the difference between headroom in a digital vs analog system. This is especially helpful since our Avid consoles tend […]

Here’s a great article to get an idea about the different types of compressors and what you should be looking for when picking on to control parts of your mix. Which Compressor Plugin Should I Choose for My Mix?

Waves has posted an article on some coming mistakes to avoid when using effects. Mixing with Effects: 6 Mistakes to Avoid

Waves has posted an article with some helpful tips about mixing drums. This was written to be used in studio work, but a lot of these tips are also helpful in a live setting. Take a look at steps 1 through 7 for some ideas on how to get a good drum mix. 10 Steps […]

Waves has posted a helpful article about mixing vocals. While this is focused on vocal work in the studio, a lot of these tips are helpful and can be applied in a live setting as well. Take a look at steps 3 through 8 for some good ideas on a vocal channel processing chain. 12 […]

Waves has posted a great article about Multiband Compression. Between Waves C4 and C6 products at our Holt and Westside venues, and the Pro Multiband Compressor at REO Town, we have some great tools in place to help achieve controlled dynamics and well shaped tone in one stop. Take a look this article and the […]

Waves posted a nice article on their blog about using compression in your mix and some of the common things to look out for. There are also a few videos embedded in the article explaining some of the pieces further. Check it out sometime when you get a chance. 5 Compression Mistakes Mixers Make

Lynn Fuston wrote a great post on Sweetwater’s site about the importance of mic placement for guitar amps. It includes some recorded examples so you can hear how a 1″ change in placement can have a big effect on tone. This is another great example of how it’s easier to get desired results by changing […]

Ken “Pooch” Van Druten shares some great tips on the Waves blog about getting the right reverb sound no matter what space you’re working with. If you’re looking to dial in reverb to liven up your mix, check out this article. 4 Tips for Mixing Live with Reverb

Lynn Fuston posted a great article on Sweetwater’s site about mic’ing snare drums. If you’re looking for a different sound out of your snare, try a different mic position instead of relying on EQ to get a specific tone. How to Mic a Snare Drum As a quick side note, remember that mic placement matters! […]

Aaron Staniulis posted this very helpful article over at the Sonicbids blog. If you’re reaching for an EQ knob but not entirely sure where to start at, take a look at this for a good jump off point. The Ultimate EQ Cheat Sheet

Here is a simple guide to help with placement of headset microphones. Microphone placement for speaking is very important as a small change in placement can make a big difference in the tone of someone’s voice. Spending a few seconds to check and double check proper placement will help achieve the most natural sound, which […]

To help establish some best practices, I thought I’d share these few steps to getting at least half way to a good sounding mix. 1. Start with your inputs. Make sure everything is plugged in correctly. Identify devices that need phantom power. Check good, close microphone placement for instruments and vocals. Remember that good input […]

So often it seems that volume in worship services declines to a debate of preferences. I found this article really helpful in deepening that conversation into one of how we worship instead of simple personal preference. What if volume in worship became less about preference and more about discipleship?

It’s been a long time coming, but finally it’s here!  This last week we installed a new sound system for the lobby that is separate from the auditorium system.  This will make it a whole lot easier to hold events in the lobby and keep the auditorium systems used only for band practices and weekend […]

Awhile ago I ran across this article by Dave Moulton that does an amazing job thinking through EQ and mixing. Certainly worth a reading (and re-reading) if you’re an audio guy. EQ is a life long developed skill, and Dave brings a comprehensive overview that can really help refine those skills. Spectral Management, or, Ways […]