Live Sound Engineering Techniques: On Tour with Rush

Course details

Follow along with Brent Carpenter on tour with Rush, as he demonstrates what it is like to be a live sound engineer for a major rock show. We shadow Brent and the Rush sound crew as they prepare for the Denver, Colorado, show on their Clockwork Angels tour, where the band is set to perform for 12,000 fans. After the gear is loaded into the venue, Brent explains how he and the crew set up the rigging, amp racks, and fly the speaker arrays to make sure well-balanced stereo sound reaches every seat in the arena. He also shows how he sets up his console to mix the onstage sound for Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart and configures the in-ear monitor system and balance of audience mics for each member of the band. Then we get to sit backstage with Brent and watch what he does during line check, sound check, and the actual show. After the fans file out, see how all the equipment comes back down and is packed away so the cycle can start all over in the next city.

Learning objectives
Choosing the PA for the venue
Setting up points, motors and cables, and trusses
Getting the best use of both analog and digital signal paths
How Rush gets that Geddy, Alex, and Neil live sound
Setting up the digital monitor mix console
Doing the line check and sound check
Using audience microphones to connect the band to their fans
Getting even coverage in a large arena
Working the monitor console and the power of snapshots
Loading out of the venue

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Welcome

1. Setting Up the Sound System

02 - Starting the day with the big picture
03 - Choosing the right PA for the venue
04 - Unloading the trucks and load-in
05 - Audio rigging - Points
06 - Audio rigging - Motors and cables
07 - Audio rigging - Trusses
08 - Amplifier racks
09 - The best combination of analog and digital signal paths
10 - Audio rigging - Feeder and power
11 - Flying the PA speaker arrays
12 - Discussing the advantages of subwoofers and front-fill speakers
13 - Where's the best place to sit at the venue

2. The Onstage Monitor Mix

14 - Monitor world - Setting up at the monitor engineer's position
15 - Preparing the wireless in-ear monitors for the band
16 - Scanning frequencies and configuring the RF antenna for wireless in-ear monitors
17 - Real-world example - Getting a basic monitor mix for different band members
18 - Line check overview - Making sure every line sounds as expected
19 - Sound check from the monitor position
20 - Monitor mix snapshots for the live performance
21 - Communicating with Geddy, Alex, and Neil during the show

3. The Clockwork Angels Stage Tour

22 - Guitar world - Getting the Alex Lifeson guitar sound
23 - Guitar world - Alex Lifeson's guitars
24 - Triggering offstage samples with MIDI pedals
25 - Alex Lifeson's stage position
26 - Placing microphones on Neil Peart's drums and the rotating riser
27 - Geddy Lee's stage position - Vocals, bass, and keyboards
28 - Bass world - Getting Geddy Lee's bass sound
29 - Using audience microphones to connect the band to their fans
30 - Getting a great isolated sound from the string section

4. Front-of-House Sound

31 - Turning on the PA for the first time
32 - Mixing live sound for front of house
33 - Achieving even sound coverage in a large arena and adjusting for pockets of frequency buildup
34 - Sound pressure level (SPL), loudness, and ear fatigue

5. When the Band Hits the Stage

35 - What does the monitor engineer do during the show

6. Load-out

36 - Loading out of the venue
37 - Conclusion