Now Let’s Talk Monitors

Okay, so you downloaded Planning Center, you’re good on the songs, you showed up on time, you’re dressed, and ready to play!  

Everyone in the band will be on in-ears, so bring a pair of in ears or earbuds of some kind. We don't provide in ears for you so BYOIE. The in ears are crucial since we don’t have floor monitors, and also so you can hear the MD’s talkback mic. 

Have you ever played a gig where they have a separate guy just mixing monitors? This seems like it would be a great idea! A guy specifically dedicated to your mixing needs! But what happens every time? It’s a disaster. “A little more guitar” apparently means a 50db increase, while “a smidge less snare” means, “I want you to take out drums completely.”

This is why you are going to mix your own ears. Feel free to tweak it however you’d like. Once the dance set gets going, we do direct segues into pretty much everything, so having the MD’s talkback mic at a good volume is important, but other than that, feel free to raise or lower whatever levels you want. 

(Depending on the gig and your instrument, you may have your own individual mix, or you may be sharing with 1 or 2 other people, so if that’s the case maybe don’t mute everything but yourself and the talkback.)

We use Mackie Wireless sound boards, and specifically the Mackie Master Fader app. Since you’re responsible for your in ear mix, you should know how to use the app. Fortunately, it’s pretty straightforward. Let’s take a look. 

Connecting to the Sound Board on The Gig

Mixing Your Ears

Remember: you need to mix your own ears. If you need help, of course ask us but it could start the whole, “a little less… okay more than that… split the difference… wait what are you even doing?” game all over again so we suggest you having control works best.

Go ahead and download this app right now.

Note that this app is iPhone/iPad only, sorry android users, you’ll have to bug the guy next to you when you want more bass (which everyone does, right?)

It’s a large app so it won’t download over LTE, and WiFi is hit or miss on gigs, so make sure you have this app on your phone/iPad before you leave the house!