

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

Sep 12, 2024 • 1h 9min
267. Frank Padikkala Of Audinate Talks Dante
Frank Padikkala of Audinate joins the show in Episode 267 and talks with Sean and Andy to talk about all things Dante. Frank is a senior technical sales engineer for Audinate, and brings his years of experience in IT/cybersecurity as well as AV integrations together to help clear up a bunch of common misunderstandings about Dante and AV networking in general. From IP addresses to managed versus unmanaged switches to VLANs and more, get ready to peel back the layers and learn how to make your audio networking life much easier and more reliable. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.Episode Links:Dante Training and Certification ResourcesBest Practices for Managing Dante DevicesDante Whitepaper LibraryEpisode 267 TranscriptBe sure to check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to signal2noise@prosoundweb.com with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there

Sep 5, 2024 • 1h 2min
266. Busting Subwoofer Myths, Part 2
Picking up where they left off in Episode 265, Sean and Andy continue their conversation with Phil Graham and Merlijn van Veen about all things subwoofer, including whether or not to haystack, ways to deal with power alleys (and whether or not it’s worth the cost), and more.Phil Graham started building hi-fi loudspeakers with his grandfather as a teenager in the 1990s and joined the B&C Group five years ago. Today, he’s the chief operating officer (COO) of Eminence Speaker, acquired by B&C in 2023. Based in Germany, Merlijn van Veen is a noted audio educator and he also serves as senior technical support and education specialist for Meyer Sound.Episode Links:The Cheese Grater (Horizontal Sub Arrays) by Merlijn van VeenRedistributing The Error (Sub Power Alleys) by Merlijn Van Veen5 Finger Rule (Calculating Decibals Without A Calculator) by Merlijn van VeenSignal To Noise Episode 38 with Merlijn van VeenSignal To Noise Episode 206 with Bennett Prescott of B&C SpeakersEminence SpeakersB&C SpeakersMeyer SoundEpisode 265 (Subwoofers Part 1)Episode 266 TranscriptBe sure to check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to signal2noise@prosoundweb.com with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there

Aug 29, 2024 • 1h 9min
265. Busting Subwoofer Myths
There are a lot of myths and misunderstandings when it comes to subwoofers and sub arrays, but the reality is that there’s no reason to be afraid of them. In Episode 265, Sean and Andy huddle up with two very smart folks when it comes to low end — Phil Graham and Merlijn van Veen — to bust subwoofer myths and help us all understand them better for our next gig.Phil Graham started building hi-fi loudspeakers with his grandfather as a teenager in the 1990s and joined the B&C Group five years ago. Today, he’s the chief operating officer (COO) of Eminence Speaker, acquired by B&C in 2023. Based in Germany, Merlijn van Veen is a noted audio educator and he also serves as senior technical support and education specialist for Meyer Sound.Episode Links:The Cheese Grater (Horizontal Sub Arrays) by Merlijn van VeenRedistributing The Error (Sub Power Alleys) by Merlijn Van Veen5 Finger Rule (Calculating Decibals Without A Calculator) by Merlijn van VeenSignal To Noise Episode 38 with Merlijn van VeenSignal To Noise Episode 206 with Bennett Prescott of B&C SpeakersEminence SpeakersB&C SpeakersMeyer SoundEpisode 265 TranscriptBe sure to check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to signal2noise@prosoundweb.com with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there

Aug 22, 2024 • 1h 13min
264. Inside The Sound Design For A Unique Broadway Musical
In Episode 264, Sean and Andy talk with two members of the production team for the Broadway musical How to Dance in Ohio, sound designer Connor Wang and Liz Weber, who was a member of the Access Team for the show and also works as a sound engineer. The musical is based on the Peabody Award-winning documentary about the challenges and triumphs of a group of autistic young adults working toward their first spring formal dance, notably starring actual autistic actors as the characters. Connor and Liz talk about the unique approaches the show took to make sure it was sensory-friendly for both the cast and the audience. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.The production also made strides in making every aspect of the show accessible to those with autism, both on stage and in the audience, for which it won a Special Award for Authentic Autistic Representation Team from the Drama Desk Awards in July 2024. Connor and Liz also discuss the use of assistive listening devices, headphones, and the careful design of sound effects to accommodate individuals with sound sensitivities, and highlight the importance of authentic casting and representation in the show. Further, they focus on the challenges and considerations of mixing sound for a theater production generally and How to Dance in Ohio specifically, including the importance of creating a full mix for the performers on stage without letting volume levels get out of control. Liz (they/them) also shares a bit about their work as a sound engineer for music venues and how the sensory issues their autism brings to the table influence their approach to mixing, proving as much a benefit as it can be a challenge.Episode Links:Connor Wang On InstagramLiz Weber On InstagramConnor Wang DesignsMeet the Folks Making How to Dance in Ohio Accessible at Every PerformanceHow to Dance in Ohio Access Team Drama Desk Award Acceptance Speech“How to Make a Sound System More Accessible”How to Dance in Ohio Performance At The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day ParadeHow to Dance in Ohio (Original Documentary)Episode 264 TranscriptBe sure to check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d l

Aug 15, 2024 • 51min
263. Mike Dias Returns To Talk IEMs & Microphones
Veteran audio professional Mike Dias picks up where he left off with last week (in Episode 262), digging into the other side of his career in the worlds of in-ear monitors and microphones. He spends time addressing and demystifying some myths about IEM technology, discusses why we each tend to favor a brand and/or types of IEMs that we do, and digs into changes with the Earthworks mic lineup over last few years. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.When Mike isn’t selling microphones (as a management coach and consultant for Earthworks) and serving as the executive director of the In-Ear Monitor International Trade Organization, he writes and speaks about “What Entertainers Can Teach Executives” and “Why Nobody Likes Networking.” He offers personalized experiential keynotes and workshops for conference and event attendees.In fact, Mike is generously offering his “Nobody Likes Networking” workshop — which he’s previously charged $50 per student — for free to Signal to Noise listeners. The online workshop will take place as three short sessions on Monday 8/19, 8/26, and 9/2 at 2 pm U.S. ET. See below for details on the workshop and how to sign up, and we hope to see you there! (Register here)Episode Links:Register For The Nobody Likes Networking WorkshopNobody Likes Networking WebsiteNetworking from Six FeetMike Dias Speaks Website (Coming Soon)Mike On LinkedInEpisode 263 TranscriptBe sure to check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to signal2noise@prosoundweb.com with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there

Aug 8, 2024 • 1h 5min
262. Mike Dias On The Value Of Networking
Veteran audio professional Mike Dias returns in Episode 262 to convince us that networking needn’t be a four-letter word! Whether you’re a sound company owner, a freelance engineer, or full-time staff, networking is an important non-audio tool in the toolbox. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.When Mike isn’t selling microphones (as a management coach and consultant for Earthworks) and serving as the executive director of the In-Ear Monitor International Trade Organization, he writes and speaks about “What Entertainers Can Teach Executives” and “Why Nobody Likes Networking.” He offers personalized experiential keynotes and workshops for conference and event attendees.In fact, Mike is generously offering his “Nobody Likes Networking” workshop — which he’s previously charged $50 per student — for free to Signal to Noise listeners. The online workshop will take place as three short sessions on Monday 8/19, 8/26, and 9/2 at 2 pm U.S. ET. See below for details on the workshop and how to sign up, and we hope to see you there! (Register here)Episode Links:Register For The Nobody Likes Networking WorkshopNobody Likes Networking WebsiteNetworking from Six FeetMike Dias Speaks Website (Coming Soon)Mike On LinkedInSTN Episode 213 With MikeEpisode 262 TranscriptBe sure to check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to signal2noise@prosoundweb.com with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there

Aug 1, 2024 • 52min
261. Checking Back In With Up-And-Coming AV Pro Evan Turunen
It’s been a year of huge growth and focus shifts for Evan Turunen and Turunen Audio Visual — first featured in Episode 221 — so Andy and Sean wanted to check back in with Evan and see how things have changed and what he’s learned since he last visited. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.Topics discussed include making a similar major inventory pivot similar to the one Sean recently did for his company (Audio Engineers Northwest), moving the company into a proper warehouse after starting in a backyard shed, effectively planning and communicating logistics to a crew when you won’t be onsite yourself, remembering to maintain a life outside of work, and much more!Episode Links:Turunen Audio VisualTurunen AV On InstagramSteam Scrambled Eggs — Jody WilliamsBuvette (New York/Paris/Tokyo/Seoul/Mexico City)Twisted Sage Cafe (San Dimas, CA)Episode 261 TranscriptBe sure to check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to signal2noise@prosoundweb.com with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there

Jul 26, 2024 • 55min
260. Meeting Up For A Music Festival & Much More
For the first time in 10 months of podcasting, Sean and Andy were together in the same place, so how better to celebrate than with a livestream? They talk about meeting up for a music festival Sean’s company (Audio Engineers Northwest) provided a PA and support for, in addition to presenting a demo of the TT+ GTX 12 line array (courtesy of show sponsor RCF). This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.They also discuss how accommodating an artist’s needs for the second day of the festival led to getting to experience some less common subwoofer tuning techniques to avoid power alleys. Andy also recaps his two days earlier in the week attending a d&b audiotechnik Soundscape workshop, followed by taking questions from the live audience in the text chat — and Sean espouses the awesomeness of a Taco Bell Grilled Cheese Burrito.Episode Links:TT+ Audio GTX 12d&b SoundscapeTodd’s S2N Food Recommendations (Google Sheet)Episode 260 TranscriptBe sure to check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to signal2noise@prosoundweb.com with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there

Jul 11, 2024 • 1h 7min
259. Summer Concert & Event Fun From The Great (U.S.) Northwest
Summer concert and event season is in full swing, and Sean’s company (Audio Engineers Northwest) has been running full steam with some exciting gigs the last couple weeks. Two of his regular freelancers, Kyle Shaw and Matt Ratza, join the show this week to talk about what it took the last couple weeks to pull off a huge open air concert on a dockside barge with audience both landside and on boats, and then flip the same PA over in 24 hours to cover a 50,000-attendance Fourth of July fireworks show. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.The episode also touches on the freelancer versus sound company relationship, and managing and handling negotiating rates and schedule conflicts and changes.Matt Ratza is a FOH/monitor mixer and production manager with years of touring experience for bands covering a wide range of genres, ranging from TECH N9NE to The Stylistics to Dennis Edwards and the Temptations. He regularly freelances in the Seattle area when not on tour.After graduating from the Blackbird Academy live program in 2017, Kyle Shaw worked in installs and as an A2 for professional sports venues before pivoting to freelance work in the corporate and rock and roll markets.Episode Links:Precision Audio Services Case Study: The PA Design For The Gas Works Park Fireworks EventEpisode 259 TranscriptBe sure to check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to signal2noise@prosoundweb.com with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there

Jul 8, 2024 • 1h 11min
258. Theatre Sound Designer ien DeNio
Over the Fourth of July holiday, Andy teamed up with some Signal to Noise guest host alumni, as Kate Foretek pulled up the co-host chair once more to hang with previous guest host, theatrical sound designer and live foley artist ien DeNio. The jam-packed episodes includes tales of travel hijinks, pounding beers as part of a puppet show sound design and much more. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.ien DeNio is a New York City-based trans non-binary sound designer who sought refuge in theatre after college oboe studies led to a falling out with Mozart and — a couple decades later — hasn’t looked back since. ien’s career has taken them to theatres all over the world, from Israel to Broadway to Cedar City, Utah and beyond as associate, designer, composer, and live sound effect artist.Kate Foretek is a NYC-based sound engineer with extensive experience as mixer, A2, and associate designer on and off-Broadway, as well as in the corporate and Broadcast realms, including the Broadway productions of Waitress and Chicago, and broadcasts of the Tony Awards, MTV VMAs, Kennedy Center Honors, Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction.Episode Links:ien DeNio’s Sound Monkie DesignsPUPPETCINEMA’s Planet EggNASA – Crab Nebula SonificationThe Sounds of Star Wars — J. W. RinzlerWALL·E — Animation Sound Design: Building Worlds from the Sound UpJimmy MacDonald (legendary Disney sound effects artist) on David LettermanDisney Family Album — Jimmy MacDonaldEpisode 224 - Lindsay Jones with Guest Co-Host ien DenioEpisode 258 TranscriptBe sure to check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to signal2noise@prosoundweb.com with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to


