In Episode 252, the hosts are joined by Elliot Carroll, director of audio services for Show Imaging, who talks about the business side of audio — deciding what gear to buy (or, more importantly, not buy), when to say yes or no to a proposed project, training staff, keeping staff happy and healthy on job sites, and much more. Elliot’s spent the past 20 years specializing primarily in corporate audio, with stops along the way doing festivals in below freezing weather in Denver, and even running away with the circus for a stretch. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.

Episode Links:
Show Imaging
Elliot Carroll on LinkedIn
Episode 252 Transcript

Be sure to check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!

Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”

The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.

Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:

1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to [email protected] with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”

2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there

Episode 252 Transcript

In Episode 251, Tony-award sound designer Jessica Paz joins the show and talks about all things Broadway and touring sound design, including how to make a theatre sound like a stadium or an intimate office as well as the trials and tribulations of doing live theatre outdoors at New York’s iconic Delacorte Theatre for Shakespeare in the Park, and more. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.

Jessica’s the first, and to date only, non-male Tony-winning sound designer. She’s collaborated on Broadway productions that include Hadestown (Tony and Drama Desk Award, Best Sound Design of a Musical), A Beautiful Noise, Dear Evan Hansen, Bandstand, Disaster!, The Assembled Parties, and Fela! (Tony Award, Best Sound Design of a Musical).

Episode Links:
Jessica Paz Designs
Meyer Sound Profile Of Jessica Paz
Jessica Paz Tony Acceptance Speech
Theatre Avenue: Problem Solving in Sound Design
Theatre Avenue: Sound Design of Little Shop of Horrors
Krotos Interview With Jessica Paz
Episode 251 Transcript

Be sure to check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!

Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”

The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.

Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:

1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to [email protected] with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”

2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there

In Episode 250, Sean and Andy take it back to the early days of grunge when they talk to Craig Montgomery, the front of house engineer for Nirvana. He details mixing and managing small tours and festivals in a van with Kurt, Dave, and Krist from 1989 to 1993 as well as going on to tour manage for Hole, and mix and tour manage other well-known artists including TAD, Mudhoney, Weezer, and The Presidents of the United States. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.

After getting off the road, Craig settled back home in Seattle, where he had a nearly 15-year tenure as the house sound engineer for famed venue The Triple Door, which he’s only recently retired from. And, as always, there are lots of useful tips and tricks scattered in with all the amazing history Craig has to share, so you’ll definitely want to give this one a listen!

Episode Links:
Craig Montgomery Reddit AMA
Photos From The Nirvana Days
99 Percent Invisible: “Whomst Amongst Us Let The Dogs Out”
American Songwriter: Nirvana Sound Engineer Craig Montgomery Shares Stories About the Band
Episode 250 Transcript

Be sure to check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!

Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”

The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.

Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:

1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to [email protected] with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”

2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there

In Episode 249, Sean and Andy gather around the microphones with Sam Kusnetz, education and training manager for Figure 53’s QLab and founder of Team Sound, maker of MIDI hardware and testers specifically designed for live audio playback users. Sam talks about growing up and falling into theatre in New York, working on smaller tours and regional theatres across the country, and then eventually settling into a dual role as a NY-based associate sound designer and, for the last decade and change, a core member of the QLab support and development team.

Sam and the hosts focus on using QLab across all aspects of live sound, from theatre to corporate audio, and even employing it for more exotic things like calling followspot cues in concerts. Sam also discusses some lesser known features and tips and tricks that QLab 5 allows, shares the power of the free and daily rental licenses for QLab as well as the more standard perpetual licenses, and talks about QLab’s free sibling iPhone/iPad app, Go Button.

They also spend some time talking about some of the biggest changes that came in QLab 5, such as fully chasing timecode, multi-computer client/server collaboration functions, and much more, and get a brief overview of Team Sound’s hardware, which is showing up in more and more sound engineers’ tool boxes every day!

Episode Links:
Figure 53
QLab App
Go Button App
Team Sound
Episode 249 Transcript

Be sure to check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!

Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”

The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.

Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:

1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to [email protected] with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”

2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there

In Episode 248, the hosts visit with front of house engineer Burton Ishmael, who is currently mixing Madonna’s global Celebration tour, and learn about how the artist sought him out after hearing him mix Post Malone, the latest in a list of A-List hip-hop and R&B acts on his resume that also includes Lil Baby, Nas, Big Sean, Miguel, and H.E.R., and others. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.

They also talk about what it takes to make a concert spanning a 40-year career sound coherent and contemporary while still remaining true to the individual eras of the artist’s career, as well as the unique collaborative process involved in mixing the vocals and effects for Madonna. And, they spend some time digging into Burton’s outboard signal chains for both Madonna and Post Malone.

Episode Links:
Burton Ishmael On YouTube
Rig Tour: Post Malone Front Of House Engineer Burton Ishmael (YouTube)
This is DeLaCruz! — Running Sound For Madonna — Burton Ishmael (YouTube)
Episode 248 Transcript

Be sure to check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!

Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”

The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.

Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:

1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to [email protected] with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”

2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there

In Episode 247, the co-hosts catch up after Sean returns from his first vacation since starting his company. Sean fills Andy in on turning a trip to visit the RCF factory into a vacation for his entire family. He gives a recap of his awesome time visiting the factory and seeing how the loudspeakers he’s bought for his company are made and tested, plus an obligatory stop for fantastic Neapolitan pizza and other Italy must-sees. The discussion turns to acknowledging how important time off is, and how hard it is to realize that you’re overworking or burning out until you do finally take a break, intentionally or otherwise. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.

Be sure to check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!

Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”

The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.

Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:

1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to [email protected] with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”

2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there

Episode 247 Transcript

In Episode 246, Sean, Andy and guest co-host Kate Foretek talk with financial advisor Bailie Slevin to get the lowdown on making your money work for you as a freelancer to plan for both the future you expect, and the one you don’t! This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.

A combination of finance ninja and theatre nerd, Bailie is a business management and financial consultant focused specifically on working with creatives of all types. With 10 years of experience as a financial adviser and a hefty résumé in theater, she is re-defining planning for artists and entrepreneurs.

Bailie has worked with Certified Financial Services and Forest Hills Financial Group in finance, and teaches financial literacy and wellbeing workshops, and speaks throughout the NY region on the specifics of financial management for artists.

As a stage manager, general manager, and producer on Broadway, Off Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway, Tony, Drama Desk, OBIE, and IT Awards pepper Slevin’s résumé. Some of her favorite projects include “The Norman Conquests,” “Altar Boyz,” “Naked Boys Singing!,” “Pursuit of Persephone,” “A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant,” and “Popesical,” in Concert at Joe’s Pub. She currently serves as a board member for The Tank NYC, a non-profit arts presenter for emerging artists engaged in the pursuit of new forms of expression, and Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU), a training ground for tomorrows theatrical producers.

Savings versus debt, retirement accounts, the different types of life insurance, and more are all laid out on the table in this discussion. If you ever thought that liquid assets are something you buy at the corner liquor store, this is definitely the episode for you!

Note: The things discussed in this episode are for informational purposes only, and may not necessarily be the right choices for you. Be sure to talk to a financial advisor who knows your situation before making any investment, savings, or other financial decisions! If you’d like to talk to Bailie about your specific needs, reach out to her via her website, and mention that you heard this episode to get a totally free, no commitment 30-minute consultation.

Episode Links:
Bailie Slevin Website
Pound Foolish, by Helaine Olen
Episode 246 Transcript

Be sure to check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!

Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”

The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.

Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:

1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to [email protected]

Kenny Barnwell joins Andy in Episode 245 to discuss how to nurture and maintain healthy relationships while working away from home. His advice — which even those who don’t tour will find valuable — touches on communication strategies, mutual support and accountability, self-awareness and boundaries, and how to include your family in your life and your work when working away from home. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.

Subjects they touch on include managing work schedules, setting shared goals and priorities, developing trust and confidence, and so much more, as well as the importance of maintaining physical and mental health on and off tour. Finally, Kenny also shares his thoughts on how to smoothly re-enter life at home when a tour ends.

Episode Links:
Episode 211: Kenny Barnwell, Crew Coach
Episode 242: Mark Russie
Crew Coach
Kenny On Facebook
Kenny’s IG: @thekennybarnwell
Headspace Guide to Meditation
Episode 245 Transcript

Free Stuff!

Free Crew Coach Masterclass from Kenny from Kenny for S2N listeners

Mark Fisher Fitness HomeBody (Andy’s virtual gym). As a special offer for Signal to Noise listeners, if you email [email protected] and tell them you heard about them on Signal to Noise, they’ll give you a free week of their HomeBody Zoom-based workout classes — you might even see Andy in a class with you if you do!

Be sure to check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!

Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”

The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.

Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:

1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to [email protected] with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”
2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there

Episode 245 Transcript

Picking up where they left off in last time (here), in Episode 244 Sean and Andy continue their roundtable on corporate event audio with Aram Piligian, Brian Maddox, and Michael Curtis. Previously, they looked at the input side of corporate audio, and this time, focus shifts to the outputs — how to balance the needs of the live sound in the room with both recordings and live streams as well as how to minimize the sound of the room in a stream and why that may or may not be desirable. They also discuss how to keep an eye and ear on those feeds while still paying attention to the needs of the live audience, and tricks and techniques to get streams to sound as loud as they need to. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.

Links:
Episode 151: Brian Maddox & The Next Generation Of Audio Professionals
Episode 155, Part 1: Aram Piligian On The A2 Role In Corporate Audio
Episode 179: FOH Mixer, Systems Engineer & Audio Educator Michael Curtis
Episode 227: Events Mix Engineer Pete Wiejaczka
Episode 244 Transcript

Be sure to check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!

Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”

The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.

Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:

1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to [email protected] with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”
2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there

Episode 244 Transcript

Many of us spend tons of time talking about things like crafting the perfect kick drum or guitar or lead vocal, but in Episode 243, we focus the podcast on another important but less recognized set of “money” inputs — corporate event vocals.

In part one of a two-part deep dive into mixing corporate events, Andy and Sean bring together a collection of top A1s in the business — Aram Piligian, Brian Maddox, and Michael Curtis — to talk about all things input chain. They discuss types of lavalier mics and where to mount them, placement and pattern of lectern microphones, and peel back the curtain on the processing tricks and tips that can help to make sure the message gets across clearly in a deceptively high-pressure field of live audio where literally all of the money sometimes rides on a single, unaccompanied input. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.

In part two next week, focus turns to the output side of the corporate event signal chain, with a look at the differences between the live in-room sound and recording or streaming feeds as well as strategies for managing them all from one console at the same time!

Links:
Episode 151: Brian Maddox & The Next Generation Of Audio Professionals
Episode 155, Part 1: Aram Piligian On The A2 Role In Corporate Audio
Episode 179: FOH Mixer, Systems Engineer & Audio Educator Michael Curtis
Episode 227: Events Mix Engineer Pete Wiejaczka
Episode 243 Transcript

Be sure to check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!

Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”

The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.

Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:

1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to [email protected] with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”

2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there

In Episode 242, Andy and guest host Aram Piligian talk with Mark Russie, who retired from a long career as a Las Vegas-based A1 and A2 to start a small business manufacturing the Lav Magnet and Beltpack Bar, tools he originally invented to make his own life on corporate events easier. Mark shares the story of how, after multiple manufacturers told him his product wouldn’t be feasible, he set up a shop in his garage and learned to do it himself, as well as highlights of his career that inspired the Lav Magnet, and what it’s like being an IATSE job steward in one of the busiest and highest profile union locals in the country. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.

This week, we also introduce a new segment, where we take listener questions and–together with some guest contributors–answer them on air. This week, Courtney Klimson (The Roadie Clinic) and Kenny Barnwell (Crew Coach) offer advice on maintaining and sustaining a relationship at home while working on the road.

NOTE: Mark is generously offering a special rebate offer for listeners — just mention Signal to Noise in the “order notes” field of his website when checking out, and Mark will give you a 10 percent rebate and free regular shipping back to your card once the order is shipped!

Episode Links
Lav Magnet
Episode 242 Transcript

You’re Invited To Take The Philosophy Of (Live) Sound Survey (here).

Be sure to check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!

Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”

The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.

Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:

1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to [email protected] with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”

2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there

Episode 242 Transcript