This article will tell you how to run an efficient sound check with a band; whether you work at a venue or are doing sound at a private or corporate event. This is for small events, approx. 50-150 people where there is one engineer and either a house system or a set-up.
1 – Before sound check, make sure all your audio equipment is working; sounds basic but don’t use sound check with the band as time to check signal path. Before it starts, you should already have checked that all your monitors work and are on, and are wired the way you think they are (1 is 1, 2 is 2, or left is left and right is right, etc.) and that all your mic cables are live. It can really screw you up if you think everything is working before you start and the band is up there before you realize that the person there last week plugged #3 into #4 and didn’t put it back. Check everything thoroughly before starting. It’s good to ballpark that you should have the system ready to go 1 hour before sound check. Depending on circumstance, that isn’t possible or desireable, but it gives you time to trouble shoot if needed.
2 – If there’s multiple acts, check them in reverse order. That way, the opening band is ready to go at the start of the show. If there’s too much hassle with multiple acts, just do it on the fly, but get a stage plot for each act if possible or know what is coming next.
3 – Get basic levels first on the gain. Then set the monitors (you started with all the monitor levels down, right?). Start bringing up the monitor level slowly while the musician is checking. As them if they need less or more. Musicians respond best to a direct questions. Asking “do you need less or more in the monitor?” trumps “how’s it sounding?” We can leave the fun stuff like trying to decipher how to EQ it to their voice for later.
4- Cover everything. Move around the band in order, either drums, then instruments then vocals, or some order that makes sense with the sound check so that everyone is covered. In some cases you will need to ask them, are you bringing any special guests on stage that you (might) need to know about?
5- Take command of the band during sound check so it moves along as quickly as possible. If you need their attention, tell them. It will go quicker when everyone is on board. This should ideally be about 5 minutes. Maybe 10 if people are picky. If there’s time, invite them to be picky. They are the ones that the sound check is for, becuase you know all your equipment is working, so let them get it where it works for them. The band’s feedback is 99% helpful (and sometimes necessary). You want them on your side for when things are happening that you can’t hear or see because you’re not everywhere at once.
6 – Really care how it sounds and if they are happy. In most scenarios, vocalists are #1 to make sure they can hear themselves. Drummers also LOVE to hear what’s going on. Don’t forget them! Everyone is different, but the main principles are are the gain levels good for YOU and are the monitor levels good for THEM. Of course, set the gain first where you need it and then give them their monitor level.
7 – Some people won’t tell you what they need or don’t now how to tell you. Keep an eye out for that – if someone is making faces and looking distressed, see what they need. Ask everyone if they have what they need. Ask them individually if you can.
8 – Before the show starts, ask yourself, what can go wrong? Literally. Think of every worse case scenario you can. Have you accounted for it?
9 – Once the show starts, you’re invisible, Harry Potter, get your cloak.
10 – Be ready to readjust everything because now they are playing at full volume and everything is different and you are mixing on the fly.
Good luck!