7 Mistakes in Live Sound Mixing!! A good sound engineer can make a live sound perfect, but an inexperienced person can ruin the entire event. Even if you are an experienced sound engineer, this article can help you to polish your work.

This article will discuss the seven common mistakes in live sound mixing. We believe this discussion will save you time and improve your knowledge next time when you mix a desk.

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Live sound mixing is real-time. If you make a mistake, you can't go back and correct it. Therefore, as a live sound mixing person, you should be well trained and gain good experience before starting mixing by yourself. We will discuss seven critical mistakes people make when mixing sounds.

Mistake 1: Not spending enough time on SoundCheck

Soundcheck is one of the most important parts of the audio mix. If you skip or spend a little time on it, it can ruin the entire event. When doing a sound check, you must spend enough time to set the mixer's input gains and fader adjustments. You must make sure all instruments and PA equipment are properly wired and they are working. During the sound check, take the time to tune up the PA system by following all the necessary steps. Check for feedback and other noise issues.

Check all microphones, speaker and subwoofer connections, monitors, and other equipment. Make sure they are working. If any issue is found, take the necessary actions to correct it.

Mistake 2: EQ Issues

Setting Equalization (EQ) properly is one of the most essential parts of sound balance and mix. Do not think that your saved EQ settings are suitable for every event. You need to adjust them based on the venue size and setup.

When adjusting EQ, do not boost them unnecessarily. Increase or decrease them while listening to different music and frequencies. Adding too much EQ will result in unnatural sounds and other issues like feedback and noise.

Mistake 3: Too much Effects

Effects are one of the main aspects to consider when mixing live sound. Effects like delay and reverberation can add extra shine to the music and vocals. However, if you overuse them, your sound can become muddy. Too much reverb and delay can ruin the entire sound, and your audience won't be able to understand vocals and other instruments. When adding effects, you need to consider venue setup and size.

Mistake 4: Failing to adjust fader levels according to the situation

Unlike studio mix, live mixing needs your attention consistently on fader levels. Because live sound volume fluctuates frequently, failing proper adjustments can result in distortion, feedback, and other issues. This can create a negative impact on your event among your audience. Therefore, you should monitor and adjust the fader and other level settings throughout the performance. You might need to mute some instruments and microphones during the event.

Mistake 5: Poor Stage monitor setups and control

Performers hear their sound from stage monitors. However, if you do not set them up correctly, they can cause issues like feedback and distortions. Therefore, as a sound technician, you must adjust stage monitors' levels properly, also position them correctly to avoid feedback issues.

Mistake 6: Poor consideration of room acoustics

Every venue is different and has different acoustics. As a sound engineer, you should consider the room's acoustics before setting up the PA system. Consider surroundings like walls and ceilings when setting up sounds because they are sound-reflective surfaces. Also, consider the crowd size as they absorb the sound. These factors can all affect the sound mix. You can use room correction software and graphic equalizers to prevent these issues.

Mistake 7: Failing to understand the audience's preference

When mixing sound, you must consider the audience, their age limits, preferences, culture, etc. Because of the generation gap, cultural differences in the same music settings are not always suitable for your audience. So, depending on the situation, you must adjust the volume levels and EQ settings.

Importance of Choosing a Good PA Hire Company for Your Next Event

If planning an event in Auckland, you should choose a good PA rental company. A poor PA system can ruin your entire event and negatively impact you and your event among your audience.

We at Star Sounds Limited hire quality PA equipment at affordable prices. Most of our PA rental packages come with free delivery, setup, and collection in Auckland. We use reputable and branded PA systems like QSC, RCF, JBL, and Presonus PA equipment.