Custom Live Services

IMG_2888The one thing that the studio world lacks is momentum. The “right here and now” effect. In the studio we usually have some time to correct stuff. In live gigs though, everything is real time. The choices, the mistakes, the rush. Early on we started our involvement with live sound in order to vent the desire for working under pressure and to help the bands that were recording at Unreal. There is one twist though. We never settled for the mics, comps and backline provided by the venue. As studio raised engineers, our base of thinking was this: There is no ONE best mic. There is an appropriate mic. Or a comp. It depends on the instrument, the player, and the musical genre. Therefore, we started bringing along mics that were used for the bands’ album. Then compressors. Then mic techniques. Hell, if we could, we would bring a whole PA with us!

That is why we use the word “custom”. We use a different setup for each band. We figure it out by going to their rehearsals, talking with them, understanding what would make for a better live experience.

Bliss_gigOver the years these “methods” proved their worth, because along with standard backline they provided the much wanted repeat-ability that is of primary importance when doing live sound. Think about it. You play in a venue. The PA changes, the stage, the backline, the room, the console, the mics, everything. If you are able to have some of these variables be the same on each gig, you are that much closer to being able to provide the same, great sound each night. It is gonna be great right? All big touring bands bring their own techs, backline, mics, consoles, and in larger productions even the whole PA.

These are some of the bands/artists we’ve worked with over the years,in no particular order:

Planet of Zeus (Alexs’ main band and one of the few serious bands around)
The Bliss (from 2008 up until their break up in 2012)
Tardive Dyskinesia (gig with Meshuggah, gig with Dilinger Escape Plan, album presentation 2013)
Rosebleed (from 2008 up until 2011)
Misuse
No profile/the Verge (from 2010 up until their break up in late 2012)
Ixpapalotl (random gigs around)
Despite everything (Gig with Planet of Zeus and onward)
Space Blanket
We.own.the.sky
Puta Volcano
Amniac
The Dive
Spyros Pan
One leg Mary
Gravity_says_I (gig at Roes, gig with Misuse)
Camerton group
Bleeze

If you are a band/artist and you want us to be your live sound engineers on a regular basis, there are some things that you should know:

  • Gravity_says_i gigIt is imperative that we see you play at least once in a rehearsal space. Only then can we judge what needs to be done.
  • You need to be able to play your songs properly and professionally, and do so more than once. Otherwise, a sound engineer is the least of your worries.
  • You need to have at least SOME of your own backline, or rent something that suits your music. How long are you gonna keep borrowing snares and using the venue Marshalls?