MINDSET
The Psychology of a Great Sound Check
A great sound check isn't a technical process — it's a people process. Bob explains how to run one that leaves the band confident and the room dialed.
The technical side of a sound check takes 15 minutes. The reason most sound checks fall apart is the human side. Here's how to run one that actually works.
Start with the band, not the gear
Before you touch a fader, talk to the band. Ask what they need to hear, who leads, what the setlist feels like. A sound check where the engineer treats musicians like obstacles always fails. A sound check where the engineer treats them like collaborators almost always succeeds.
One thing at a time
Don't ask a band to play everything at once and then 'fix it.' Build the mix from the foundation: drums, then bass, then guitars, then vocals. Each musician hears themselves added in context and relaxes. Rushing the full-band check is how you get a tense room and a muddy mix.
Give feedback that builds confidence
'That sounds great, let's move on' is the most useful sentence in live sound. Musicians who feel they sound good play better, and better playing is easier to mix. Avoid the engineer-as-critic posture. You're on their team.
A great sound check is a great conversation with gear in the room. Lead the people and the sound follows.
EAR-TRAINING FIELD TRIP
Nashville, TN, USA
Ryman Auditorium
YOUR EXERCISE HERE
Find a spot in the center of the original oak pews and close your eyes while the room is empty. Listen for the 'ring' of the room—that natural warmth provided by the curved wood—and practice grounding your own energy so you can be the calm anchor for the artist when the stage gets loud.
Free Listening Worksheet
5 questions on sound & music (2 fill-in-the-blank). Take it to the venue.
You Just Read the Free Version.
The full Sound Check course turns this into a system — 8 modules, 6 hours, a room that finally sounds right.
ENROLL NOW — $97