The primary responsibility of a sound tech is to support the sound engineer. He also has one major responsibility: to be attentive. The second responsibility is load in and load out.
Pay Attention
Attention has many aspects. A good sound tech will be attentive to the engineer’s needs. Attention means being attentive. Engineers should communicate with their tech easily. During shows, these are some of the most common communication methods:
- Closed circuit comms and two-way radios Systems
- Cell phones
- Text messages
- Hand signals
- A nod to the head
Techs must follow the lead of their engineer and constantly look at him to determine if he has any questions. An engineer is always thinking about a lot. To achieve professional results, he must be responsible for many things. Engineers must be able to focus on multiple things simultaneously: the artist, the sound and the audience. He should not be focusing on getting his tech’s attention. If the engineer is having trouble communicating with his tech, it means that he is not doing his job well. Techs have to be attentive. The engineer should not have to leave his place after artists arrive . It is important that the sound tech be sensitive to the needs and wants of artists. It is the responsibility of the sound tech to ensure that the following are provided when artists set up.
- Tell each artist, “This cable is for you” or “You plug it in here”, for example.
- We cannot touch the equipment of artists and they can’t touch ours, provided that we respect their rights. To mic the drummers, we must touch their drums. We politely ask for permission and make sure that we ask the drummer if any microphones are in his way. Singers will, of course, find it necessary touch our microphones. That is also okay. It is the job of the sound tech to adjust microphone stands so that every artist gets the best placement. An artist shouldn’t have to adjust the mic stand. If that happens, the sound tech is not performing his job. The artist should be able to concentrate on his instrument and perform well. Music is an emotional experience. If an artist becomes upset because he must adjust his mic stand, it will negatively affect his emotions and degrade his performance.
- The sound tech has to adjust the monitors according to the preferences of the artists. They may want the monitors closer or further away. Or they might prefer them to be turned in this or that direction. The feedback zone is where the monitors should not be pointed at, i.e. Do not point at microphones that could cause feedback.
The sound tech fails to do his job when the engineer is away from his desk. If the engineer has to also do the tech’s work, he cannot concentrate on the board, the monitor mix, the artists and the audience. Being attentive is the most important task of the sound tech. Attention is more than just attending to the artist’s needs. Attentiveness means paying attention to the show and being attentive. Listen out for any potential problems and notify the engineer immediately.
Take a look at the system. The sound tech should immediately notice if a speaker is off-axis and make the necessary adjustments. The sound tech should also pay attention to artist communication. The engineer must understand the communication from artists, but it is also the job of the sound tech to listen to both the engineer and artist. This might include helping the engineer understand what the artist wants to communicate. The sound tech must immediately correct any microphone stand problems, such as slipping, moving out of place, or being knocked over.
Black is the preferred color for sound techs. Because they may have to get up on stage during performances, this is partly why black is their default color. Because black clothing reflects less light than other colors, it draws less attention than if they were wearing fluorescent yellow. It also communicates to the audience that he’s not part of the band. He is a sound technician and does what sound technicians do. He pays attention to the needs and wants of the engineer or artist, and he does it well.
The bottom line is that if this article doesn’t teach you anything, at least this one. Sound techs are expected to pay attention to others and attend to their needs in order to put on a flawless show.
