Skip to content

Editor’s Note

Yamaha PM1000

Vintage Live

People often say that FOH mixing more and more resembles studio production, which is true in some ways, yet in other aspects is about as far from the truth as you can get.

These days, more often than not, you’ll find a recording system at the mix position, whether it’s a hardware capture device like the JoeCo BlackBox recorder or a DAW running Pro Tools, Logic, SONAR or PreSonus’ Studio One. And other than vocal microphones, many of the instrumental mics used onstage are pretty much the same as you’d find in any well-stocked studio, with the exception of the studio technique of doubling-up with a second distant mic (usually a large diaphragm condenser model) used for room ambience. Not much need for that in a live situation, where we have so much ambience that somebody needs to figure out a way to seal it in a can and sell it to our studio counterparts. Meanwhile, back at the console, on-board effects and a plethora of plug-ins take the place of outboard racks in many cases — although not always so, as evidenced this month’s cover shot of the impressive FOH setup for the 2013 Muse tour.

Read More »
NAMM offers a little of everything, and a lot of social interaction.

Pro and M.I. and NAMM

After returning from this year’s NAMM show, I’m finally starting to recover. No, this year I didn’t succumb to the dreaded NAMM-fluenza, or whatever they call that mysterious malady that comes from shaking the hands of 10,000 infected people, but NAMM is set up as a non-stop rock ‘n’ roll party packed into a four-day weekend. That isn’t to say that in-between the fun, there isn’t business (and a lot of hard work) squeezed in there as well, but for anyone who’s never been to a NAMM show, well, let’s just say it can be an intense experience.

Read More »
Go to FOHonline.com/tv for George Petersen's video introduction to the Jan. 2013 issue of FOH

New Year’s (Audio) Resolutions!

Welcome to 2013! If you’ve made it this far already, you’re gonna make it all the way, so this is a good time to start thinking about the days, weeks and months ahead. Here at FRONT of HOUSE we’ve already got off to a good start, with our amazing art staff coming up with a sharp new graphic design that makes  articles easier to read, with faster access to what you need and a cool new look. Hope you like it!

Read More »
Fig. 1: The growth of console input numbers over the years.

Year-End Fun, and a Big Question

It’s hard to believe that December’s already here and 2013 is right around the corner. That, of course, is unless some ancient Mayan astrologers were right in their assessment that the planet would end on 12/21/12, in which case, all bets are off. If for some reason, that happens to be the case, try to get paid up front for any holiday gigs you book.

Read More »

Tale of Two Tradeshows

This month, the audio tradeshow season finally wraps up, with the LDI Show in Las Vegas (Oct. 15 to 21) and the AES Convention in San Francisco (Oct 26 to 29). Maybe “season” is the wrong word for a period that kicks off in January at Winter NAMM, (followed by Musikmesse/PL+S, NAB, InfoComm, PALM, Summer NAMM, PALA, PLASA, LDI and AES) and extends well into October. That 10-month period actually eclipses the length of the NBA season (quite a feat), and if you add in regional/specialized events — such as Sweetwater GearFest or PreSonuSphere — you’re never really very far away (in time or distance) from some kind of event or tradeshow having to do with pro audio.

Read More »

The Learning Curve

It’s been a long time since a lot of us (including myself) were in school. In fact, learning about the techniques and tools of our trade didn’t come from formal classroom teachings, but grabbing what you could, either through trial and error or — if you were really lucky, having some one-on-one time with a seasoned pro, who could walk you through the ropes.

Read More »

Addictions and Obsessions

A couple month’s ago, FOH’s always-effervescent — and ever-insightful — columnist Baker Lee wrote about the very real problems of substance abuse and addiction that face many members of our community. But that’s not the only obsession many of us are afflicted with. For me, I’m ready to come clean: I’m a total microphone junkie, and I suspect this affliction strikes many of you as well.

Read More »

Soul of a Tradeshow

It’s been a couple weeks since InfoComm 2012 and by all accounts, this year’s event was one of the most successful shows that organization has presented in recent memory. (Note: For highlights and insights on InfoComm 2012, CLICK HERE). Attendance was up, there was no shortage of new technology, new tools and new toys to check out, and the vibe among attendees — both exhibitors and visitors — was uncompromisingly positive. All of the above are good signs that bode well for the overall health of the industry.

Read More »

It’s Summertime… The Sound Season

Okay, you purists out there may insist that summer doesn’t officially kick in for a couple weeks, but it sure feels like summer, for a lot of reasons. The weather’s heating up, the kids are out of school and, if not summer, well… the travel season is well underway. And if truth be told, the sound season is off to a good start and showing signs of good health.

Read More »

Stayin’ Alive: Sound Survival

Once upon a time and long ago, most of us were enticed into becoming sound reinforcement professionals. Of course, at the time, few of us realized that this meant taking a lifelong oath of poverty (we’re never paid what we’re truly worth) and abuse — when it’s right no one notices; when something’s wrong, it’s always our fault. But we love what we do and stick to it in spite of any such minor trivialities.

Read More »

View from the Middle

Now that the Grammys have come and gone we can all go out and buy Adele’s 21, Foo Fighters’ Wasting Light, Skrillex’ Scary Monsters, Taylor Swift’s Speak Now, Bon Iver’s Bon Iver, Tony Bennett’s Duets II, The Civil Wars’ Barton Hollow, Alison Krauss’ Paper Airplane, Corea, Clarke & White’s Forever and maybe even Kanye West’s Twisted Fantasy since they all won multiple awards.

Read More »