Live Mixing

Mixing for a successful live sound
Practice, soft skills, teamwork

• Basics of mixing live performances: equipment, microphone placement, soundcheck, etc.
• Over 555 questions as a practical checklist – the optimal preparation for live sound engineering
• Soft skills for optimal collaboration with musicians and event management

At live events, sound engineers have to perform many different tasks within a very short space of time – there is usually no second chance: setting up microphones, adjusting the optimal sound for the stage and the audience, communicating with bands and event management, and operating mixing consoles effectively and safely.

After a practical introduction to live sound engineering, this book impresses with its unusual approach: Over 555 questions help you better plan your own live mixing approach and consider key aspects. The questions serve as a comprehensive checklist for newcomers. Even experienced sound engineers can benefit from the suggestions to reflect on their own working methods and optimize their workflow.

Interviews with musicians from a wide range of genres about their experiences with live sound engineering also provide insight into the different approaches and expectations regarding live mixing.

As a live sound engineer, you'll find plenty of inspiration and practical suggestions for your future work in this book. Musicians and other participants in the event will also gain valuable insights into live mixing, leading to improved collaboration and ultimately a convincing live sound.

About the author

Mike Senior is a professional sound engineer who has worked with artists such as Wet Wet Wet and Nigel Kennedy . In his "Mix Rescue" column for SOUND ON SOUND magazine , he shows how to turn amateur recordings into professional-sounding results using affordable equipment.

From the content

• Practice of live mixing
• Interaction and communication
• Rules and methods
• Purchases and equipment
• Setting the PA
• Microphone
• compression
• Properties of a mix
• Sound check
• Live recording
• Mixing a live recording

List of questions:

• Preparation
• Construction
• Sound check
• Show time
• Follow-up

Interviews, including with:

• Samuel Dickmeis (among others ANTILOPEN GANG)
• Freddy Hau (including LUXUSLÄRM)
• Fabian Hildebrandt (DESERTED FEAR)
• Markus Lingner (including ALLIGATOAH)
• Tobias Sammet (including AVANTASIA)
• Frank Thorwarth (TANKARD)

About the author

Eike Hillenkötter has been working in the field of live sound engineering for around 25 years. Over the years, he has worked as a FOH mixer on hundreds of small and large shows with numerous well-known and unknown musicians. He is currently working as a permanent live mixer for various bands (including The Tideline) in the Aachen area.