This is it! Level 3 training is your last big block of front of house training. At this point, you will be able to operate a mixing board with a lot of confidence and can begin working collaboratively with your producer to nail the mix that serves the gathering best.
Table of Contents
Here’s what we expected from a Level 2 mixer:
Here’s what we expect from a Level 3 mixer now:
This is all about “getting it right at the source.” At this point, you’re helping producers make decisions because you are learning the difference that mic placement makes in the overall tone of a source. There are two ways this happens: with a literal mic, or at the instrument that inputs directly to the mixing board (like a keyboard or bass guitar).
Any time you ask a musician to change their tone, you are introducing another variable into their performance. Sometimes you can’t avoid it or compensate for it at the board, so you have to do it—just make them aware you recognize it may take more thought from them. Also, any time you ask for a sound change from a tone-centric instrument like guitars or keys, understand they may inadvertently take it personally since the pursuit of tone is often super important to them! If you focus on building relationships with musicians, cut down on the distance between the sound board and the stage, then you’ll build relational capital to spend on asking musicians to adjust their sound for the good of the mix in the room. You need them just as much as they need you!
Drums have the most microphones, which is ironic because all drums are pretty loud. Ideally, you’re balancing the kit for the room, which does make it louder (but still controlled), and mic placement becomes very important for the tone of the individual drums.