Basic Tech Information for Singers:
There’s not much you need to know as a singer about the technical elements of professional sound design, but a knowledge of some of the basics can make an enormous difference in the quality of your show and your ease in performing.

BASIC SOUND TECH
1) Microphones: There are several kinds of microphones, but most can be reduced to a couple of major categories:
a) Dynamic (“live,” durable) or condenser (“studio,” more delicate)
b) Wired or wireless

2) Speakers: You will generally only have 2 kinds
a) House speakers, for the audience to hear your performance. Usually There are at least two - one on each side of the stage - although a stereo mix during a live show is quite rare (they’re for balance).
b) Monitors, which are smaller, and usually at the front of the stage (“wegde”). You need enough monitors to make sure you can hear yourselves. Also, if you have specific parts (like bass or VP) that are harder to hear, those members might want their own mix.

Note: in ear monitors are a possible (expensive) alternative to monitors.

Besides these obvious elements which are clearly visible to you, there’s also:

3) Sound board: a slightly angled console with “faders” that allow each “channel” to be increased or decreased in volume. Most sound boards have at least a couple rudimentary effects built in, but they’re rarely enough to give your engineer enough control, which means you have additional effect boxes:

4) EQ: slang for equilization box, a unit with several small vertical slides that allow you to amplify or reduce the amount a specific frequency will be heard in the house speakers or monitors. Ideally you’ll have a separate EQ for your house speakers and your monitors, allowing you to get the sound you want out of each, while eliminating feedback frequencies only where needed.

5) Effects Unit: Used almost exclusively for reverb, but sometimes fun for your engineer to play with, especially if there’s more than one.

Besides the sound equipment, there will be at least a basic light rig, illuminating your group during the performance. Make sure to stand in the light whenever possible, and if you have the time, have them “focus” the lights to fit your basic stage stance.

SOUND CHECK
Steps of Sound Check:
1) Load in: Your band shows up at the venue and brings in all your equipment. Could be a complete sound system, could be nothing.

2) Set up: The system might be installed and completely set up, or it all might just have arrived, with every element needing to be placed, assembled, and tested.

3) “Tune the room”: If the system is new to the location, or the sound engineer is working there for the first time, he/she may take the time to play a well known CD and balance the room’s EQ.

4) “Ring out the system”: After making sure everything is turned on and working, the sound engineer will check each channel, make sure there isn’t any obvious initial feedback while setting general volume levels.

At this point, it’s time for you to take the stage and do your part of sound check:
1) Check channels one by one: if you have specific parts with specific needs, like vocal percussion or bass, you might want to have them check first.

2) Have your entire group sing together. Best to have it be a “standard” song.
Note: a “soundcheck” song that vamps is great if you perform frequently.

3) Stop, fix any relative level problems and feedback, and try again.

4) Run through new material, if there’s time, (or old material if the sound person is new.)

A few pointers:
a) Pace yourself. Know how much time you have, and use it wisely.
b) Put one member (music director?) in charge of interfacing with soundman.
c) Know your general needs before hand (bass needs to be louder in mix #2)
d) Have a “sound rider” you can fax to venues in advance
e) Bring a list of repertoire (tempo, soloist) to give to sound or light techs.
f) Be flexible - don’t rely too heavily on perfect sound engineering. It will always be different, and sometimes be very difficult.
g) Be very polite to your sound engineer - he/she can ruin the show for you
h) When you can afford it, purchase your own mics (not too expensive).
i) Don’t buy your own sound “rig” unless you perform a great deal and venues don’t usually have what you need. Renting is less expensive, less hassle.
j) Sing one song off microphone at the end of your show.