Signal To Noise Podcast

In this episode, Michael and Willa talk with FOH engineer and tour manager Daniel Ramirez, who currently works with the Wood Brothers. Daniel talks about his approach to balancing tour management and FOH mixing, some advice for those aspiring to fill those roles, and some of the unique mixing challenges of the acts he's worked with.This episode is sponsored by: Audix A reminder — check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group. It’s a space for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments! Let’s build a great sound community with a place to learn, discuss and reminisce about the “good old days.”The Signal To Noise podcast series on ProSoundWeb, hosted by Live Sound/PSW technical editor Michael Lawrence and pro audio veterans Kyle Chirnside / Chris Leonard

What do Yoga therapists and monitor engineers have in common? For Becky Pell, they are one and the same. Becky has been touring worldwide for over 25 years with high-profile bands and artists like Westlife, Muse, Kylie Minogue, Take That, and A-ha. The future of in-ear monitoring is still being explored which is why Becky recently stepped into a new world of monitor mixing with the Klang 3D IEM system.  We spend some time digging into one of the top PSW articles of 2019 on the history of stage monitoring which she wrote. Continuing the recent trend of episodes on monitor engineers, we discuss a few more tips and tricks. Becky is also a registered Yoga Therapist and Yoga Teacher. Check out her website ( RocknRoll Yogi ) where you’ll find blogs about yoga, personal development, and touring life as a sound engineer, as well as healthy recipes and links to further online content such as videos and audio recordings of guided meditations; and of course, details about where you can join Becky in person for workshops and retreats!You can check out all of Becky Pell's ProSoundWeb articles here: https://www.prosoundweb.com/tag/becky-pell/You can also read more about her on SoundGirls.orgA reminder — check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group. It’s a space for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments! Let’s build a great sound community with a place to learn, discuss and reminisce about the “good old days.”The Signal To Noise podcast series on ProSoundWeb, hosted by Live Sound/PSW technical editor Michael Lawrence and pro audio veterans Kyle Chirnside / Chris Leonard

Chris Robold, who is currently the FOH engineer for Bruno Mars joins us to talk about the gear he is using, console workflow, and all-around approach to mixing a dynamic fun show. Bruno Mars is very involved with all aspects of his show including how it sounds. Chris talks about how he manages the artist relationship to deliver what Bruno wants. We discuss some of his past work including Widespread Panic, Kenny Chesney, Lady Gaga and more. Many of these acts tour stadiums which can be drastically different than your typical arena, so we discuss how this affects Chris's approach to the mix.Ken "Pooch" Van Druten an industry veteran and recent guest of ours started a YouTube series with Chris Rabold, where they discuss audio tips and tricks. Go check it out!A reminder — check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group. It’s a space for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments! Let’s build a great sound community with a place to learn, discuss and reminisce about the “good old days.”The Signal To Noise podcast series on ProSoundWeb, hosted by Live Sound/PSW technical editor Michael Lawrence and pro audio veterans Kyle Chirnside / Chris Leonard

Andrew Stoakley is a television audio production mixer with over 25 years of experience in remote mobile work, mixing a wide range of sports broadcasts (MLB, NHL, NBA, NFL, CFL, MLS, curling and many others) along the way. He’s currently the production show mixer for the Toronto Blue Jays broadcasts. We spend our time talking about what goes into a sports broadcast mix, everything from the input list, mic placement, mixing style, effects of the stereo image in relationship to camera movement and more.We also looked at the similarities and differences in tools and techniques between mixing for broadcast versus front of house. Andrew went into more detail on his ProSoundWeb article entitled: Different But The Same: Talking Wih Broadcast Mixer Andrew Stoakley About The Craft.Andrew also recently released his own podcast where he talks to eleven different A1’s about what got them interested in the craft and why we love what it is we do. This series is not about the nuts and bolts about the job, it was intended to be a conversation between two or three people who love what they do and why they do it. “This concept was something I had been thinking about doing for a long time. My first love has always been radio and in part of my professional life, I help other people build their own podcast studios. When the COVID-19 pandemic sadly occurred, it allowed me to work on this pet project” says Stoakley. “The title comes from my own issues with idle hands - I hate it! I hope you find the conversations as interesting as I did to record them and I think it really shines a little light into the world of television audio.”Go check it out: Idle HandsA reminder — check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group. It’s a space for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments! Let’s build a great sound community with a place to learn, discuss and reminisce about the “good old days.”The Signal To Noise podcast series on ProSoundWeb, hosted by Live Sound/PSW technical editor Michael Lawrence and pro audio veterans Kyle Chirnside / Chris Leonard

In episode 38, the hosts are joined by Merlijn van Veen, a noted audio educator, particularly on the subjects of system optimization, array theory, and subwoofers. Currently the senior technical support and educational specialist at Meyer Sound, Merlijn talks about system engineers and how it’s not just about getting the mix right, but also about delivering the same show to everyone. The discussion also touches on sound pressure levels (SPL), still a highly misunderstood concept in pro audio circles. Both the hosts and Merlijn have been doing a lot of research on SPL of late, so the conversation offered a great opportunity to dig further into the topic. And it wouldn’t be a complete discussion with Merlijn if the subject of subwoofers weren’t addressed!Episode Links:The Merlijn van Veen Article Archive On PSWMerlijn van Veen WebsiteA reminder — check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group. It’s a space for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments! Let’s build a great sound community with a place to learn, discuss and reminisce about the “good old days.”The Signal To Noise podcast series on ProSoundWeb, hosted by Live Sound/PSW technical editor Michael Lawrence and pro audio veterans Kyle Chirnside / Chris Leonard

Will Miller joins us this episode to talk more monitors. Will has spent the last eight years with Barry Manilow as Monitor Engineer. Prior to that, he spent many years with Josh Groban, Disturbed along with others. Our Co-Host Chris Leonard spent a few years with Will working at Maryland Sound and on a few tours together.  We spend some time talking about how Will got into the business as well as breaking down more tips for mixing monitors. A reminder — check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group. It’s a space for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments! Let’s build a great sound community with a place to learn, discuss and reminisce about the “good old days.”The Signal To Noise podcast series on ProSoundWeb, hosted by Live Sound/PSW technical editor Michael Lawrence and pro audio veterans Kyle Chirnside / Chris Leonard

Our guest this episode is Eddie "El Brujo" Caipo, who has worked as a studio engineer, producer, FOH and monitor engineer for some of the biggest names in the music industry. He is currently the monitor engineer for Enrique Iglesias but has also had the privilege to work as the FOH and MON engineer for a wide range of artists such as Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera, Smash Mouth, Tears for Fears and more.  https://www.prosoundweb.com/2019-top-20-2-dialing-it-in-sound-check-approaches-techniques-from-the-monitor-perspective/A reminder — check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group. It’s a space for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments! Let’s build a great sound community with a place to learn, discuss and reminisce about the “good old days.”The Signal To Noise podcast series on ProSoundWeb, hosted by Live Sound/PSW technical editor Michael Lawrence and pro audio veterans Kyle Chirnside / Chris Leonard

When Chris Mitchell is not out touring as the FOH engineer for Umphrey's McGee he spends his free time restoring huge analog consoles with low channel counts, no dynamics, and limited EQ. Chris finds great satisfaction from reverse engineering some unknown past engineer’s brilliant but outmoded work and re-purposing it for a second life. He enjoys resurrecting consoles that have been discarded but still have the potential to create unique, beautiful sounds.We also discuss another article by Chris Mitchell on improving emotional conductivity. Why do we do what we do? As the producers of live music, we find ourselves in the unique position of helping create fundamental emotional connections between creators and fans. Our day job is their peak experience. The hard question is how to quantify that emotional conductivity in some way. The most important thing we can do is step away from the desk and listen. Listen with the heart of a fan and the ears of an engineer. Episode Links:The Days Of Rosewood & Iron: Restoring And Enhancing An Early ’80s MixerChris Mitchell's Articles on ProSoundWebA reminder — check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group. It’s a space for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments! Let’s build a great sound community with a place to learn, discuss and reminisce about the “good old days.”The Signal To Noise podcast series on ProSoundWeb, hosted by Live Sound/PSW technical editor Michael Lawrence and pro audio veterans Kyle Chirnside / Chris Leonard

Willa Snow talks with the hosts about how she got her start in pro audio and what fuels her passion. Other topics include what house sound techs can expect from touring engineers coming through their venues, how mistakes can push us forward to the next level, where and how to find touring opportunities — and — worst catering stories!Based out of Austin, TX with a deep passion for the industry, Willa also serves as a chapter head for SoundGirls.Org, an organization dedicated to inspiring young women in the field of audio by providing educational and networking opportunities.A reminder — check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group. It’s a space for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments! Let’s build a great sound community with a place to learn, discuss and reminisce about the “good old days.”The Signal To Noise podcast series on ProSoundWeb, hosted by Live Sound/PSW technical editor Michael Lawrence and pro audio veterans Kyle Chirnside / Chris Leonard

Tyler Walters joins us for a great discussion on the best practices and daily work of a system engineer. This past summer (2019) Tyler was on the road serving as system engineer for the Outlaw Music Festival, an event organized by the original outlaw himself, Willie Nelson. He wrote about the tour and his workflow approach in a ProSoundWeb article. "Staying Ahead Of The Game: System optimization For a Music Festival On Wheels"A reminder — check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group. It’s a space for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments! Let’s build a great sound community with a place to learn, discuss and reminisce about the “good old days.”The Signal To Noise podcast series on ProSoundWeb, hosted by Live Sound/PSW technical editor Michael Lawrence and pro audio veterans Kyle Chirnside / Chris Leonard