

Signal To Noise Podcast
ProSoundWeb
The Signal to Noise podcast features conversations with people from all corners of the live sound industry, from FOH and monitor engineers, tour managers, Broadway sound designers, broadcast mixers, system engineers, and more.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 6, 2020 • 51min
38. Merlijn van Veen
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

Apr 1, 2020 • 1h 6min
37. Will Miller, MON Engineer - Barry Manilow
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

Mar 30, 2020 • 58min
36. Eddie "El Brujo" Caipo, Monitor Engineer
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

Mar 25, 2020 • 57min
35. Chris Mitchell, FOH Umphrey’s McGee
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

Mar 23, 2020 • 54min
34. Willa Snow
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

Mar 18, 2020 • 49min
33. Tyler Walters, System Engineer
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

Mar 16, 2020 • 53min
32. Mixing Monitors From FOH
We take a listener question today about console workflow. We dig into what that looks like when doing monitors from FOH. We also breakdown some monitor mixing best practices. We would love for you to join our Podcast Facebook group. We wanted to create a space for listeners of the podcast to create a conversation around the topics and people we talk to. We want feedback and questions. This podcast is just as much for you all as it is for us. So let’s build up a great sound community with a great place to learn, discuss and  reminisce of the good old days! https://www.facebook.com/groups/243833546641306/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

Mar 11, 2020 • 59min
31. Jeff Hawley, Allen & Heath
Rooted in a passion for the industry, Jeff Hawley of Allen & Heath USA talks about his path in the "music business". It's not always what you dream of as a kid. In addition, Allen & Heath has a heavy presence in the house of worship market and that’s not by mistake. We discuss what influences that and how the A&H team is heavily focused on the training aspect of it all. And, Jeff also talks about his involvement with updating the consoles in the iconic Viper Room on the Sunset Strip in LA.If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? We close out our conversation with a short thought experiment on the philosophical side of audio and what Jeff is currently studying. We would love for you to join our Podcast Facebook group. We wanted to create a space for listeners of the podcast to create a conversation around the topics and people we talk to. We want feedback and questions. This podcast is just as much for you all as it is for us. So let’s build up a great sound community with a great place to learn, discuss and  reminisce of the good old days! https://www.facebook.com/groups/243833546641306/Episode Links:Church Sound Podcast http://churchsoundu.comThe Signal To Noise podcast series on ProSoundWeb, sponsored by Shure and hosted by Live Sound/PSW technical editor Michael Lawrence and pro audio veterans Kyle Chirnside / Chris Leonard

Mar 9, 2020 • 47min
30. Canceled Shows & Downtime
What we do in our downtime whether planned for or not, is very important. The recent flood of canceled shows due to the Coronavirus has left many with more of this time than expected. Instead of focusing on the recent developments and foreseeable future we discuss what to do during any time of the year that may be slow. Everything from budgeting, diversifying your income, attaining the next level of education, focusing on health and more. We would love for you to join our Podcast Facebook group. We wanted to create a space for listeners of the podcast to create a conversation around the topics and people we talk to. We want feedback and questions. This podcast is just as much for you all as it is for us. So let’s build up a great sound community with a great place to learn, discuss and  reminisce of the good old days! https://www.facebook.com/groups/243833546641306/Episode Links:Church Sound Podcast http://churchsoundu.comTop 10 Budgeting Tips for Independent ContractorsSmaart V8 User GuideThe Signal To Noise podcast series on ProSoundWeb, sponsored by Shure and hosted by Live Sound/PSW technical editor Michael Lawrence and pro audio veterans Kyle Chirnside / Chris Leonard (the hosts utilize Shure SM7B mics for the podcasts).

Mar 4, 2020 • 48min
29. Chad Olech, FOH Engineer/ Tour Manager
Michael nearly misses the recording session in order to get free pancakes, and Kyle is reminded how old he is. Kyle and Michael chat with FOH engineer and tour manager Chad Olech to discuss his experience juggling both jobs. Chad has worked with a number of major artists, including Shinedown, Fallout boy, Demi Lovato, Alice in chains, Deftones, P.O.D. and others.Episode links:Mike Green music: https://mikegreen.bandcamp.com/The Signal To Noise podcast series on ProSoundWeb, sponsored by Shure and hosted by Live Sound/PSW technical editor Michael Lawrenceand pro audio veterans Kyle Chirnside / Chris Leonard (the hosts utilize Shure SM7B mics for the podcasts).


