Becoming a Sound Technician: Getting Off to a Good Start

The sound tech is arguably the most underappreciated person involved in a music production. For musicians, however, it’s incredibly important to keep these tireless hired-hands close, since they play a significant role when it comes to the room and stage sound. It’s not for nothing that sound techs are often referred to as the extra band member. Nowadays, there are plenty of courses you can enrol in and study to become a sound engineer, but what does it actually take to get good at the job? Time to ask a sound tech!

Martin

One of Bax Music’s gear experts, Martin, actually spends his days taking care of the sound for a large and diverse group of artists. He’s also spent a lot of time playing in bands, but became so obsessed with the tech behind all of it that he decided to study to become a sound engineer. “The moment I started mixing the stage monitors during an internship during my graduation year, I knew I wanted to do the same thing for the rest of my life. Creating a monitor mix for an artist is a really personalised thing. It makes me feel like I’m part of the band.” A short time later, Martin started working as a front-of-house tech for a relatively well-known hiphop artist, travelled abroad for his job, and since then, he’s even mixed the live sound at the Forum Theatre in London.

Tips From a Pro

Martin has three tips he wants to share with future sound techs. For the best possible show, it’s first of all essential to take care of proper pre-production. Martin: “Make sure that you’re always aware of what kind of gear the band will be bringing so you can match your own equipment accordingly. Also, listen to some of the band’s tracks beforehand so you have an idea of the kind of music they make. Proper prep work gives you more time to finetune the sound, and trust me, you’re always short on time as a sound tech.” Martin’s second tip: bring your own outboard gear, so compressors, limiters, reverbs, delays and modulation effects, when you want to put a unique spin on the sound. Lastly, Martin stresses the importance of hearing protection. “Since your ears are constantly getting pounded, it’s vital that you use proper hearing protection, especially when mixing louder acts like metal bands. Use custom-moulded earplugs if you can. These filter and attenuate the sound in the most optimal way.”

What Does a Sound Tech Need?

A sound tech needs the right gear. Martin: “A multi-tool is indispensable because you’re always fixing cables and cutting tie-wraps. A torch is another must-have, because you’ll often be working in rooms that aren’t well lit, while a voltage tester will come in handy when double-checking cables to look for defective leads. Also, no sound tech’s tool kit is complete without a set of microphones for drum kits and amplifiers, and you’ll want to have a roll of gaffa tape on you at all times so you can label channel strips and fasten cables. When working with a band that uses in-ear monitors, it’s recommended to bring your own set of in-ears so you can hear exactly what the musicians are hearing and create the best possible personal monitor mixes for them. Last but not least, you’ll want to pick up a flight case so you can safely lug all of your gear from A to B.

Working on Your Skills

Trained ears are crucial for mixing. After all, you have to be able to tell the difference between frequencies. The easiest way to train your hearing is using the Train Your Ears software — a paid app that you can download from the app store. From there, it’s all about ‘practice makes perfect’, so grab every chance you can to put your skills to the test. Local talent show? Get in there! Know a professional sound tech or someone who’s in the business? Ask if you can join them on a series of shows! Don’t know anybody yet? Start networking!