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Title: sound guys
Post by: Bob Kidd on January 03, 2014, 10:20:08 PM
Curious is there sound guys out there that do not play in a band or played an instrument?
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Tim Perry on January 03, 2014, 11:26:08 PM
Curious is there sound guys out there that do not play in a band or played and instrument?

Yes
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Jim Rutherford on January 03, 2014, 11:54:05 PM
Yes, why do you ask?
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Bob Kidd on January 04, 2014, 12:20:02 AM
Yes, why do you ask?

Just curious, found most played before. I have been around music in some fashion for over 30 years. For a brief time in my early years I took up guitar but found myself more into sound systems.
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Rick Powell on January 04, 2014, 02:11:43 AM
Curious is there sound guys out there that do not play in a band or played and instrument?

My son occasionally goofs around on guitar or bass but nothing serious, and he has a great ear for live sound.  Personally, I think my multi-instrumental and vocal experience helps greatly, because it helps me know "what it's supposed to sound like" with solo volumes, vocal blends, etc.  But not a deal killer if you don't play an instrument.  It's all about ear training, knowing your equipment and its limitations, knowing what sounds right and what doesn't, what frequencies define the vocal or instrument you are trying to reinfore, and knowing how to crawl out of a hole and not dig deeper when things aren't going right.
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Steve M Smith on January 04, 2014, 02:46:18 AM
Every sound guy I know is also a gigging musician - including myself.


Steve.
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Bob Leonard on January 04, 2014, 06:14:23 AM
In the 60's there were very, very few "sound guys" and everyone in the band carried some part of the PA in their van or car. As a guitar player it wasn't hard to find the right guitar sound with the amps of the day and an ES-345, LP, or SG, but vocals were a horse of a different color.

One of my pre war bands had a 6 piece horn section, B3, 2 guitars, bass, drummer, backup vocals, and lead vocalist and we were playing larger venues that usually held 500 - 1500 people.

Musicians had control back then and the first thing you did was get the PA up and running as loud and clean as possible, then bring in all the instruments. The key to success was to establish that great stage mix starting with drums and bass, then horns and B3, and finally guitars. And let me say there is no better feeling than the sound of a tight blues/soul group with plenty of feel and just the sound of the instruments working as one.

Sorry, I digress, so once the band was tight and just below the vocals off we went. My first decent PA was a Bogan and giant University horns on steel tripods. Setting up the PA was up to me, because I owned it, and because I could fix it. That path led me to using combo amps for monitors (powered speakers in the 60's???), Vocal Masters, combo boards, Marshall, Kustom, Peavey, JBL, etc., PAs until I am where I am today, winding down but still working sound for my own band, other bands, special events, etc. with first class gear never even dreamed of back then.
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Keith Broughton on January 04, 2014, 07:48:25 AM
From the very start of a 35+ year career, I have been a sound person.
It actually started with electronics, moved to HiFi audio then to live audio.
I have played around with various instruments, out of curiosity as to how they work, but do not consider myself a musician.
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Steve M Smith on January 04, 2014, 07:50:54 AM
I probably wouldn't have got into live sound if I wasn't a musician.  One Saturday morning in 1985, I was doing what most musicians do - generally getting in the way in a local music shop.

The shop owner was moaning that he had no one to go out with a PA that day.  I casually said that I would do it and he handed me the keys to his van which was already loaded.

As the shop was a Peavey dealer, the system was SP2s with FH1 subs, all driven with CS series amps (with a plug in crossover in the back) and the desk at the time was a Studiomaster 16 channel which was later changed for a 24 channel Peavey Mk IV.

The shop slowly increased its inventory of PA equipment, acquiring four Martin folded W cabs, four JBL bass cabs and a stack of other horn loaded EV and un-named speakers which were already at least ten years out of date when we got them.  We got a good sound from it all but it took a lot more effort to load in and out than more modern equipment.

When the owner sold the shop, a friend bought the PA gear and after using it for a couple of years, replaced it with EAW speakers and a GL4000 desk.  I have worked for him intermittently for the last fifteen years.

The shop's junior employee (a YTS trainee - similar to an apprentice) bought the shop and bought his own equipment.  I plan to do a bit of work with him this year.

I have never had full time employment in live sound, just an occasional weekends.  I like it that way though.

Look - I have digressed even more than Bob.  I will  shut up now!


Steve.
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Jay Barracato on January 04, 2014, 11:10:34 AM
Many people recognize the musician to sound tech path.

I would also like the point out the "tech nerd who ran the projector in elementary school" to sound tech path.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Tim McCulloch on January 04, 2014, 11:31:11 AM
Many people recognize the musician to sound tech path.

I would also like the point out the "tech nerd who ran the projector in elementary school" to sound tech path.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

I was the "A/V guy" in elementary school, and also sang with the choir.

I attained enough piano proficiency in my youth to test out of my piano class (like language lab) in college as it was the only instrumental performance requirement for my Performing Arts Education major.  I've sung in public as a part of ensembles, but that was 25 years ago.  Now I'd need 6 months of ear training, breathing and practice before I'd let anyone hear me singing from the shower... ;)

But I've never been a part of a band that actually played anywhere (even a dive bar), nor have I ever played any instrument in public.  My household pests vacate the premises when I even think about playing something other than my stereo...
Title: Re: Sound Guys and/or Musicians
Post by: Russ Davis on January 04, 2014, 12:06:55 PM
There was a running joke around here a few years ago that most "sound guys" were named Dave and played bass...

I played bass in two short-lived bands in the late 70's, then realized I enjoyed working on the gear more than I enjoyed playing through it.  Less pressure, too - unlike most of my musical family I don't have a love of being on stage.  As a "sound guy" in the back of the venue, if all goes well the crowd doesn't even know I exist, but the client does and I'll keep getting called back.

Now that I'm older and lugging subs around is losing its luster, I'm pondering dusting off my old basses (Gibson EB-0 "Frankenbass" and G-3, Musicman Sting Ray, and a few others) that have been pretty much untouched for decades, and leaving the heavy lifting to younger backs.
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Frank Koenig on January 04, 2014, 12:35:31 PM
Curious is there sound guys out there that do not play in a band or played an instrument?

Those who can't do, meta-do.

-F
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Steve M Smith on January 04, 2014, 12:52:25 PM
I would also like the point out the "tech nerd who ran the projector in elementary school" to sound tech path

I was also the tech nerd who ran the lights at school and local theatres.  Thankfully I saw the error of my ways* and changed to sound.

* I was going to write 'thankfully I saw the light' but thought it would be confusing!


Steve.
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Dave Dermont on January 04, 2014, 12:55:08 PM
Curious is there sound guys out there that do not play in a band or played an instrument?

I own a bass, three guitars, a piano, a cello and a didgeridoo.

Whether you'd want to hear me play them, that's a whole 'nuther story.
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: g'bye, Dick Rees on January 04, 2014, 12:59:32 PM
I own a bass, three guitars, a piano, a cello and a didgeridoo.

Whether you'd want to hear me play them, that's a whole 'nuther story.

I'd like to hear the didgeridoo...as long as it's not didgeridoo-doo. 

How 'bout a duo with didge and skweezbox???
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Bob Charest on January 04, 2014, 02:34:29 PM

Musicians had control back then and the first thing you did was get the PA up and running as loud and clean as possible, then bring in all the instruments. The key to success was to establish that great stage mix starting with drums and bass, then horns and B3, and finally guitars. And let me say there is no better feeling than the sound of a tight blues/soul group with plenty of feel and just the sound of the instruments working as one....

Amen!
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Gus Housen on January 04, 2014, 02:46:48 PM
I am not much of a musician.. I learned mostly from a guy who wasn't a musician. I played horn in JR high and cymbals in high school but i wasn't a good musician.
Later after doing sound for about 5-6 years I started singing in a punk country band with love songs about vacuum cleaners and titties  but it was mostly just some house parties and a excuse to drink Ice 800 with some buddies as I was gigging almost every weekend  doing live sound. I will say actually playing in a band even just fooling around made a difference, in my monitor mixes.

Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Tommy Peel on January 04, 2014, 02:55:58 PM
Many people recognize the musician to sound tech path.

I would also like the point out the "tech nerd who ran the projector in elementary school" to sound tech path.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk
That was my path to some degree though it was more in Junior High and High School. I ran sound/lights for several plays in school and at church while in JH/HS and became the go to person when you needed something done with a PA system or the cafetorium lights until I graduated. I am still a backup sound person at the church I grew up at and recently installed an x32 there, not to mention I do sound at a couple of other churches to some degree.

Other than playing Tuba in JH band I don't/haven't played anything.
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Tom Roche on January 04, 2014, 03:41:09 PM
Many people recognize the musician to sound tech path.

I would also like the point out the "tech nerd who ran the projector in elementary school" to sound tech path.
Ha ha!  I also ran the projector in elementary school.  My interests in all things sound and playing an instrument developed concurrently and by the late '70s I was involved in both.  Running sound today is limited to my band.
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: g'bye, Dick Rees on January 04, 2014, 04:40:01 PM
One of the best performers I ever had the pleasure of setting up a system for started as a sound "kid", then becoming a performer.  Check out Harry Manx if you haven't heard him before:

http://harrymanx.com/about/

He also has the best titled CD ever.  "West Eats Meat"
Title: Re: Sound Guys and/or Musicians
Post by: Geoff Doane on January 04, 2014, 04:55:17 PM
There was a running joke around here a few years ago that most "sound guys" were named Dave and played bass...


There might be something to the bass players turned sound guys.  I got into the racket because my brother and I, along with two friends, formed a band and we figured we needed a PA (this was long before the days of "house" systems).  I was the bass player in that band.  The band was never commercially successful, but we paid for the PA by doing DJ jobs.  My brother actually made enough money at it to pay for a college education.

Other musicians who have worked for me over the years have included several bass players and drummers, a trombonist (insert joke here), and others who I don't think played any instrument.  Guitarists seem to be rather under represented.

At the day job, we don't have anybody who specializes in PA work, but of the six that were/are recording engineers, three are also bass players, one played guitar, and two never had any musical training or experience other than what they learned on the job.

GTD
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Steve Oldridge on January 04, 2014, 05:17:42 PM
I did the opposite to most here... did the usual "tech" stuff in HS school.. ran projector, theatre lighting, etc. (there wasn't much in the way of PA back then). Got into sound stuff that way, and mostly with been "married" to a few bands BEFORE (and since) I started playing.  Never done it as a living.. saw to many folks in my early days of "testing the waters" (early 80's) that had a better line of BS and no skills being given good work. Besides, I make a pretty good living with my day job.

Over last 2 yrs, done less and less sound work. Mostly been on the other side of the stage - playing. No longer need a huge investment in gear and keeping up ($$$) with the latest that  technology has provided us. I don't need to advance gigs, sell myself, repair gear (as much), nor show up 3 hours early to set up.

Besides, playing has (unfortunately) paid better, since it's simply not worth my while to haul $25K worth of PA to a gig, spend 8 hours (load in + setup + gig + tear down + load out) for ~$200. I can get about the same for playing. Lot less hassle.
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Bob Leonard on January 05, 2014, 01:44:07 AM
I'd like to hear the didgeridoo...as long as it's not didgeridoo-doo. 

How 'bout a duo with didge and skweezbox???

Both of you guys can stop now. You're scaring the crap out of me. However, maybe the three of us could start a band together. We can call it "Squeezy blues and the digeree doos."
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Mike Christy on January 05, 2014, 07:52:26 AM
Moved to sound from guitar/bass because there was no one competent to run sound, not even other sound guys (present company excluded of course)  ;D
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Steve M Smith on January 05, 2014, 08:05:06 AM
Sometimes it can be convenient to be a musician and an engineer.

A few years ago, we were providing sound for a show featuring UK singers Screaming Lord Sutch and Wee Willie Harris (youngsters, do a Google search!).

They were both using the same band who showed up without a guitar player.  I played guitar for them all night (although they never paid me!).


Steve.
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Mark McFarlane on January 05, 2014, 08:12:44 AM
Bass player here.  I play with 5 or 6 different groups in an average month,  8 or 9 regularly within a year.  I prefer to play drums, but apparently I'm not very good as I don't get asked as often to play drums....  I do sound for others.
Title: Re: Sound Guys and/or Musicians
Post by: David Simpson on January 05, 2014, 10:45:52 AM
There was a running joke around here a few years ago that most "sound guys" were named Dave and played bass...

That is humorous, as my name is Dave, and I did play bass. I also took the theatre a/v tech guy route.

~Dave
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Garry Wilson on January 05, 2014, 10:57:42 AM
Curious is there sound guys out there that do not play in a band or played an instrument?

Started in teen years as drummer, then switched to bass. As a teen I found I had an interest in electronics, primarily relating to entertainment; TVs, home stereos, record players, guitar/bass amps, etc. In my 20's I started picking up pieces of PA gear, primarily to have something for any band I was in to practice through. In those years we didn't know anything about hiring a sound company and even if we did, we certainly couldn't afford it. By the time I hit 30, I had enough gear to support a "bar band" level gig. The bands I played in were good, but still not quite out of the nightclub gig level, which usually didn't pay well. So, I started doing sound for other bands to pay for my gear. Then I got hooked and pretty much stopped playing bass by my mid 30s.  Then came the " if I buy just these one or two more items, then I'll be set. 20 years later, I'm still buying that "just one more piece".

I still have my bass and bought an electronic drum set to mess around on. I sometimes miss playing in a band, but don't miss the drama that can be associated with being in one. I put together an birthday party for my 40th and 50th, hired a band each time and also played a set with my "crew" (good friends that are also musicians), that was fun.

My full time job:television engr, I picked that up in the Air Force: Television Equipment Repairman


Garry

P.S. through the years I have noticed that a lot of sound guys were/are bassists. Of course I've met a number of "sound guys" that didn't play an instrument, however when they were, it was mainly bass, then drums/keys, rarely guitarist, horns or vocalists.
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Tim McCulloch on January 05, 2014, 12:25:00 PM

P.S. through the years I have noticed that a lot of sound guys were/are bassists. Of course I've met a number of "sound guys" that didn't play an instrument, however when they were, it was mainly bass, then drums/keys, rarely guitarist, horns or vocalists.

I think part of that is because more bass players understand their role in the *ensemble* and their place in the rhythm section.  Singers and guitarists tend to be too narcissistic and horn players?  They want to play the charts and head back to the bar (or home).
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Jason Raboin on January 05, 2014, 02:41:31 PM
I am not a musician and didn't do AV in school.  Somehow sound engineer is the only job I have had since I was 19.
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Robert Piascik on January 05, 2014, 02:46:08 PM
I am a regularly gigging musician and started running sound for other bands on my nights off to keep my schedule full. Now my production work is eclipsing my performing work.
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Robert Weston on January 05, 2014, 04:31:30 PM
I am not a musician, but do play guitar really bad.  My decision to get into sound was to provide bands and events with a solution of quality sound.  There were so many bad sounding systems (and terrible FOH guys), that I knew there was "a better way".  Since then, been doing sound for ~30 years.
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Mark G. Hinge on January 05, 2014, 06:48:50 PM
Lots of in-between stuff, but to keep it short…
Family-room karaoke to DJ/Karaoke for small bars and parties.  (this was influenced by a good buddy)  still do some of that, and recently did a prom and a wedding reception, and plan to do more.
 
Learning guitar for personal pleasure, set up a nice music room, got a drum kit, then my buddy's muso buddies stormed the place, kicked me to bass and dragged me on stage.  Ugly-but-valuable-story-short, I’m now between gigging with the last band and the one I recently started which isn’t ready to gig yet. 

I have a GAS problem with instruments/music gear and PA gear, so I’ve acquired more stuff than I needed, but it’s coming in handy now. 

Provided Sound for events at the school where I taught for free.  Since retired, and now doing their shows at friendly prices.

Recruited to join the Board of Directors for First Night <my>town, and I’m now providing for their shows that need support, with okay pay. 

Since recently retiring, I’m taking this hobby (Sound and Band, and later maybe some recording) and plan to do a bit more with it.   :)
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Roch Lafleur on January 06, 2014, 01:08:31 PM
I started learning guitar from my dad at age 7, bass at 8, and joined dad's band when I was 18. I got him to get rid of his little Peavey XR500 vocal/fiddle p.a. and to buy a 16-channel rack mixer with outboard EQ and power amp. We (meaning he) then got a x-over and a couple of homemade subs. Sounded pretty decent for the little bars and legions we did. I got picked up by another local that was playing a few better clubs and ended playing 75-100 shows a year for a few years, while mixing from the stage. Through this guy and the sidemen he hired, I extended my musician network and have been playing 50-80 shows/year since 1998, while working full-time and raising a family. Hiring a sound company or even a soundman wasn't an option back then so I started accumulating quite a bit gear. I'm still mainly on stage with 7-10 different bands per year, including some bigger festivals, but still do sound from stage on some shows, on top of providing sound for other bands for corporate events, clubs, private parties and some smaller festivals. Basically anything my little 4 over 4 QRX rig will allow me to cover.

My first job in government (mid-90's) allowed me to surf these forums and learn quite a bit. I could test that theoretical knowledge on the weekend and adjust for the situation. Best of all, I could troubleshoot pretty efficiently and managed to keep a few shows going when they could've ended up not happening. I also played in a band with a fellow LABster (Shane Presley who is usually providing advice and some sarcastic remarks over at the other forum) for a few years and learned quite a few "tricks from the trade" from him and the professional business he built.

So one could say, I'm a bass player first, but curiosity got me involved in sound. I then became a "soundman" out of necessity, and these days, mainly to pay for my GAS problem.

Back to your regular programming....
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Steve Garris on January 06, 2014, 03:10:07 PM
I played - drum roll please ------- bass guitar in Seattle cover bands for 12 years starting back in the mid 80's.
While in-between gigs I often ran sound, as I had been trained by one of my musician friends, also a bass player.

After "retiring" from being a working musician in '92, I went straight to mixing bands (also started a professional unrelated career).
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Sammy Barr on January 06, 2014, 08:15:55 PM
I ran sound in high school, played drums. Later got a masters degree in music. I have conducted high school and college bands for 35 years, I still play a bit, bass in a jazz trio and guitar and piano in church.  Have found my ear training and experience help me get the best out of whoever is on stage. I bought my first system almost 40 years ago. Just built a 40 X50 shop to hold all of my gear. I guess if I had invested in pork bellies I'd be rich now. But, I still love the challenge of trying to make it sound good for the audience and performer.   ;D
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Rob Gow on January 07, 2014, 02:16:07 AM
In a word:

Yes.

I play guitar.
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Guy Luckert on January 07, 2014, 04:11:52 AM

Both of you guys can stop now. You're scaring the crap out of me. However, maybe the three of us could start a band together. We can call it "Squeezy blues and the digeree doos."

first album=ignore the egg on, and cut it out !!

soul low squeeze and the (dynamic ?? nah !! )
digereeduo
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Scott Olewiler on January 07, 2014, 07:07:06 AM
Playing for money since I was 15 back in 1980 and always seemed to be the guy in the band who knew the most about how the PA worked. Mainly guitar player, but also have done bass and lead vocals for a few bands as well.

Retired for about 7 years; got back into playing a couple years back, then started  a blues band and we got more compliments on our cheap and small sound system from fellow musicians than our playing first couple of gigs. (Fortunately that has turned around considerably since then, now we get lots of compliments on both.)

Having so many musicians compliment me on the mix got me thinking and quite a few thousand dollars later I'm now doing production for other bands, churches etc when I'm not gigging. I think non players can do great sound work but players go into it already having a good ear since we can hear things the average person can't.

I've been training my wife to work with me and in the beginning she did not know the difference between a bass guitar and a 6 string. We recently went to see a friend of our's band and she sat there and dissected the poor job the sound man was doing and her analysis was spot on. She went from being a complete non-musician to doing FOH for my band in a very short time, so I kind of have to think the advantage of being a musician might be more in the beginning stages of sound work, if someone who doesn't play wants to learn and tries to develop an ear for it.

I've certainly seen a lot bands who self mix who have no clue how great their equipment could be, if someone in the band would take the time to learn a few things so you can not say that being a musician automatically makes one a better sound guy. No we don't need more kick drum or more delay on the vocals!
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Nils Erickson on January 07, 2014, 11:30:44 AM

Both of you guys can stop now. You're scaring the crap out of me. However, maybe the three of us could start a band together. We can call it "Squeezy blues and the digeree doos."
I think I'd prefer it if y'all just digeri-don't... :)
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Mike Diack on January 07, 2014, 05:52:59 PM
I think I'd prefer it if y'all just digeri-don't... :)
Funny you should say that - just got back from a fest which has an endemic didgeridooist who shows up every year and manages to shoehorn himself into far more stage time than he really warrants. The scribble strip says all...
Back to the original subject, with an (ex) dad who played piano, univox and pianoaccordion in dance bands, a wife who plays cello, son #1 (bass, cello), son #2 (keys) and not a skerrick of musical talent myself, what else is left but to push faders ?.
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Tim McCulloch on January 07, 2014, 09:03:35 PM
Funny you should say that - just got back from a fest which has an endemic didgeridooist who shows up every year and manages to shoehorn himself into far more stage time than he really warrants. The scribble strip says all...
Back to the original subject, with an (ex) dad who played piano, univox and pianoaccordion in dance bands, a wife who plays cello, son #1 (bass, cello), son #2 (keys) and not a skerrick of musical talent myself, what else is left but to push faders ?.

And you got the most awesome cat in NZ.  :)
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Tommy Peel on January 08, 2014, 11:57:25 AM
Funny you should say that - just got back from a fest which has an endemic didgeridooist who shows up every year and manages to shoehorn himself into far more stage time than he really warrants. The scribble strip says all...
I love how he ended up all the way at the "end" of the mixer between the DJ and VOX 5. :-D
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Glenn James on January 08, 2014, 07:25:49 PM
Not all didgeridoo sucks. Working in this part of the world I see one every week, but these guys are a refreshing change. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yAMWQVZTpc (Not my gig on the video)
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Mark McFarlane on January 09, 2014, 08:37:50 AM
For anyone interested in didgeridoo, I produced an album last year with a didgeridoo.  http://www.arkoserecords.com/ArtistsMusic/Didgericruise/tabid/88/Default.aspx

I lost a few discussions with the artists where I wanted less didge on particular songs.
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: James A. Griffin on January 22, 2014, 09:52:58 AM
Every sound guy I know is also a gigging musician - including myself.


You need a wider circle of friends    8)
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Bob Kidd on January 22, 2014, 10:18:53 AM
You need a wider circle of friends    8)

+1
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Mark Cadwallader on January 22, 2014, 12:22:15 PM
Curious is there sound guys out there that do not play in a band or played an instrument?

I am currently the bass drummer for the local bagpipe band. Whether that means I'm a muscian or not is an open question. I have also played violin, guitar, and drums in decades past. Mark C.
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: g'bye, Dick Rees on January 22, 2014, 12:32:40 PM
You need a wider circle of friends    8)

Or stop running around in circles...
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Tim McCulloch on January 22, 2014, 12:41:39 PM
I am currently the bass drummer for the local bagpipe band. Whether that means I'm a muscian or not is an open question. I have also played violin, guitar, and drums in decades past. Mark C.

"What do you call people who hang out with musicians?"  Drummers.  {rimshot, cymbal crash}

You might get points for playing violin, however, unless you quit that to take up drumming...

In 30+ years of audio, I've only worked with a couple of folks who had no - and I mean zip, nada, zero - music background.  No Jr. High chorus or band, no church music, no 2 chord guitar playing, maybe not even singing in the shower.

One was a volunteer at a church.  The tech team needed someone, and he was their 'blessing.'  Oy.  Not a dismal failure because he was easy to work with and tried really hard, and he wanted to do a good job.  Somehow, though, he was never able to connect his ears to his fingers and had this propensity to push the wrong button or manipulate the correct control in the wrong direction.  I'm not sure how the team eventually utilized his talents but mixing & recording clearly would not be among them.

Another was a guy we hired because his pastor (a childhood friend of my boss) came in and "sold" him.  I've posted in another thread about teaching him to hear and listen, how to explore the sounds instruments make and the relationship players have with their instruments.  And when the discussions turned technical, he'd let me ramble on and on... and when I'd take a breath he'd respond "That's all great.  Now, can you translate that into hillbilly?"  That was frustrating at first, but it made me really work on MY comprehension of a topic.  If you can only explain something one way, you really don't understand it... and it was rewarding to see him grow in his understanding and abilities. 
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: James A. Griffin on January 22, 2014, 12:51:43 PM
That was frustrating at first, but it made me really work on MY comprehension of a topic.  If you can only explain something one way, you really don't understand it..

Or put another way, I've read somewhere that to be adequately prepared to teach a class on any topic, your depth on the topic should be at least 7 times what you'll actually have time to present in the class.

We are fortunate to read the posts of many such individuals on this forum.. and then there are those who tell us more than they know in one post..
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Steve M Smith on January 22, 2014, 01:37:43 PM
You need a wider circle of friends

In my defence, I do have friends who are not sound guys... some of them aren't even musicians!


Steve.
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: Mike Tinsley on January 30, 2014, 12:55:12 PM
Curious is there sound guys out there that do not play in a band or played an instrument?

It's common- the bass player owns the pa.
Usually does the booking and provides rehearsal.
More rooted in reality w/o egos. left my last
narcissisticdivaleadvocalist band to make real
money. (Not many jazzfusion bands out there).
Best decision I ever made. well, there's the
Mackie issue...
Title: Re: sound guys
Post by: frank kayser on January 30, 2014, 01:35:14 PM
Or stop running around in circles...

Great minds run in the same circles...