Becky Pell Oxfordshire, England Sound Engineer/Yogi/Author Question: You are both a sound engineer and a yogi. They seem to the polar opposite of each other; as a sound engineer you are surrounded with loud music and with yoga, the emphasis is on breathing and mindfulness. How do they influence each other? Answer: At the risk…
Brad Divens Hagerstown, MD Sound Mixer Question: You played in the metal band Wrathchild America and later with Souls At Zero, a more groove-based, but still aggressive, version of the band. Did the style of music that you performed ever sneak into your style of mixing when you began touring with other artists? Answer: The…
Chris Rabold Athens, GA Sound Mixer Question: There is a pace in live sound production that goes beyond what the itinerary and tour book lays out. From my observations, the day to day grind on tour is a long-distance, 24/7 marathon sprint. Given the high-profile tours that you do and the demand for your mixing…
Jim Yakabuski Mt. Juliet, TN Sound Mixer Question: You recently mixed a whopper of a one-off (or two-off) in this case) with No Doubt at Coachella. Is there a difference in mindset between those sorts of shows and your regular touring dates? Answer: To be honest, I prepare just as diligently to mix a Sunday…
David Morgan Thousand Oaks CA Sound Mixer Question: You’ve written about working with James Taylor and his team to perfect his iconic guitar sound in concert. You drill deep on capturing the nuances of his playing style so that it is heard clearly by thousands in a venue. It seems as though you’ve moved past…
Martin Frey Nashville, TN Sound Mixer Question: You’re a Canadian-born, Nashville-based sound guru/fanatic who’s mixed many acts, including the Alan Parsons Project. What was that experience like? Answer: It was the experience of a lifetime. I first met Alan during sound check. He left the stage and meandered into the house for a listen. I…
Toby Francis Rancho Mirage, CA Sound Mixer Question: When you are on tour and working what is the favorite part of the day? Answer: My favorite part of every day on tour is when the house lights go out and the energy in the room rises to unbelievable levels as the excitement of what’s about…
Brandon Blackwell Los Angeles, CA Sound Designer/music Mixer/Author Question: You have such a unique arc in your career, starting at nine years old with the church in New Jersey, and now an author of a children’s book, “The Beat in My Head.” Of course your main gig, mixing concert sound, takes you all over the…
Jonny Williams London, England Sound Mixer Question: You have had quite a time mixing FOH for Thundercat. From small venues to stadiums, Does one show stand out as flat out great to you? Answer: We were on the RHCP tour in Glasgow (Scotland) but the show got cancelled in the morning. Stephen (Thundercat) was determined…
