Ep16 Building a FOH Mix Pt 1: Gain Staging and Routing

In this episode of Live Sound Bootcamp, the hosts Ryan John, Brandon Draper, and Joe Santarpia dive into the essentials of building a Front Of House (FOH) mix, particularly focusing on setting up and gain staging. They delve into the often overlooked yet critical aspects of mixing that lay the foundation for a successful live sound experience.

The hosts share their frustrations about talkback communication during shows. They discuss the importance of having a reliable talkback system, addressing common pitfalls like forgetting to set it up before sound checks begin. They emphasize that even in smaller shows, effective communication is vital, especially in crowded environments.

This section emphasizes how to effectively set up output routing in a console. The hosts explain the basics of routing outputs to main, subs, and fill speakers, including using matrix outputs and ox sends. The conversation covers practical examples and approaches to manage levels and avoid feedback while ensuring a balanced mix.

Discussions here center around establishing an effective order for channel inputs, focusing on dials and faders in a typical workflow. The hosts explore the balance between maintaining access to frequently used instruments and ensuring clarity in live mixes. They iterate the importance of gain staging and how to adjust preamp gains relative to fader positions to achieve a smooth performance.

The hosts talk about the dynamic nature of live sound mixing where musicians may change play styles or volumes unexpectedly during performances. They discuss techniques to quickly adjust gain levels on the fly, particularly when guest musicians join the stage. This emphasizes adaptability and preparedness to maintain mix quality.

The episode concludes with a reflection on the insights gained throughout the discussions and hints at what will be covered in part two of this series, with a focus on EQ, compression, and advanced mixing techniques.