Category: Life of an engineer

The life saver that is "Studio Manager"

Yamaha’s studio manager has saved my bacon a few times at gigs. Most of our work can only be done once we reach the venue. Yes, it is possible to be organised and have all leads wrapped correctly and have a clear channel list made out, but thats about all you can do before you [...]

When an engineer gets bored…

Every so often, you get a gig which isn’t terribly entertaining. Maybe cos it aint your type of music, or is just too easy and not a challenge. Now, it doesn’t happen much I have to say, but when it does you have to find some way to keep yourself occupied – and the saving [...]

The Eskies rock Knockanstockan Festival!

I luckily managed to clear a day off for myself in between all the other festival bookings – just enough time to nip out to Knockanstockan Festival in Co. Wicklow to mix one of my favourite bands to work with – The Eskies!

Bray Festival from monitor land!

Friday of the Bray Festival 2010 was a bit of fun when I hopped into monitor land and mixed wedges on the bandstand for a couple of acts! I replaced the audio on this video, as I have not yet got permission from the bands to use it, but the video should give you a [...]

Sun, skateboards, live music! Lovely day at the office!

I had never heard about the “Kings of Concrete Festival” before. Maybe because I have never been interested in skateboarding. But the second I walked in the gate, I knew this was going to be a good gig! There was a great atmosphere, and it was a completely family friendly event. The rig consisted of a [...]

A gig in pictures….

I’m sure you underestimate the amount of work that goes on before you arrive at a show. Rather than write any more about it, I will attempt to show you this 20 hour day at the office using only pictures. I have taken the exact time stamp from the images to guide you through the [...]

Mixing on an analogue desk for charity!

This time 2 years ago, I presumed that I would be mixing the gig on an analogue desk. How things have changed! Up to last week, I had not mixed on an analogue desk in nearly 8 months. That stint came to an end on Saturday – for charity!

“The Frames” family rely on AMP Sound Systems to keep the music going!

Violin and vocalist with The Frames, Colm Mac Con Iompaire got married this weekend – and AMP Sound Systems was there to provide the PA system. The music played until 2.40AM when things calmed down into an acoustic session. Notable guests included Glen and the rest of The Frames, Mundy and many others. The PA [...]

Primary school show beats Broadway counterparts!

I had the amazing pleasure of doing the sound for St. Brigid’s School’s production of Mary Poppins and Aladdin! It ran for 2 nights in the Greystones Theatre. Usually these kids’ show are very samey, but this one blew me away!

Now thats my kinda gig!

You may have noticed from the blog posts so far that I generally get more excited about the “different” gigs! This one was certainly different! It was only a school’s graduation mass. But it was in an Olympic sizes basketball court, and there was a choir and a small band to work around! The place came also [...]