I am very new to this. I am a high school student that loves live sound and currently run mix for my church's youth group and know our Studiolive 24.4.2 front and back but don't have experience with larger mixers. I would love to do this for a job or career when I am older but don't know where to start? I am looking for advice on how to learn more about this field and how I can get hired when I am older. Any advice would be appreciated.
Welcome to the forums.
I'm in the same boat as you. I started in the church and loved doing the sound. I was also their drummer for the longest time.
10 years later, I still have the same deep passion for Pro Audio, Sound Reinforcement and mixing.
You're lucky, though. You got to work with the StudioLive, which is a digital console.
I've spent the majority of my life dealing with analog consoles. A lot of the larger consoles are similar to the StudioLive in my opinion.
They just have more channels, more busses, auxes and options. If you can use a StudioLive, I'm confident you can use a larger console.
Each console manufacturer lays out their equipment a little differently, so you'll have to read ALOT, and watch tutorials online. Go to seminars, too.
Like these guys said. Your best bet would be to look up "Production" and "A/V" companies locally.
Start out as a broom pusher, trash collector, glass cleaner, whatever ...
You have to learn about all aspects of a Pro Audio system. Depending on the size of the church, their systems could be very simplistic/basic.
If you're serious about Live Sound Reinforcement, there are tons of equipment that you'll need to acquaint yourself with.
I've only just started formally in the industry.
Already, I've run into AMP RACKS 4 feet tall that are connected to power distribution centers hooked up to 3 phase electrical systems.
If you are capable of setting up an entire system, you could probably sub-contract with an a/v technical laboring company. That's what I did.
Basically, I just push boxes, setup what I can, and at the end of the gig, tear it all down, pack it up, and load it on a truck.
I'm sure an Engineering Degree won't hurt, neither. Be cool ... stay in school ... which I did ...