Are you passionate about live sound but feel overwhelmed by where to start?
Do you dream of mixing live bands, but find yourself confused by all the equipment, plug-ins, and technical jargon? You’re not alone, and you’ve come to the right place.
Whether it's mixing local bands, church sound, or you want to build a professional career as a live sound engineer touring with bands all over the world, Mixing Music Live gives you the tools for a solid foundation that can take you as far as you'd like to go.
Mixing Music Live is the ultimate online course designed to get you from confused beginner to confident live sound engineer. Created by industry professional Michelle Sabolchick, this course cuts through the noise and gets right to what you need to know to succeed in live sound.
When you are just getting started in live sound, there is so much to learn it can feel overwhelming. How much do you really need to know and what do you really need to know?
Even if you are a self-taught sound engineer, what you know about audio and live sound may be just the tip of the iceberg.
The truth is...
You Just Don’t Know What You Don’t Know
Some people think because they know how to use Logic, Pro Tools, or Reaper, that mixing a live show will be easy.
But the studio environment is very different from doing live sound. While you may be an ace on your DAW or in your home studio, that doesn't make you prepared for all of the things that need to happen at a live show like fast and efficient troubleshooting.
And though you may know one soundboard/mixer inside and out, it won’t help when you have to mix on a something that you've never used before unless you understand signal flow.
As a live sound engineer you must not only be able to create a great sounding mix, you must be able to work efficiently with a wide variety of equipment and acoustic environments.
Many aspiring sound engineers fall into the trap of thinking they need to learn every piece of equipment and software to be good at live sound. Or they focus on relying on plug-ins and computer programs. But the truth? The fundamentals are what matter most.
Here's a secret- not even professional sound engineers know every piece of gear inside and out. And the best engineers can create a great mix without any plug-ins. What these engineers do know and what YOU NEED TO KNOW are the basic principles that make up everything we do in live sound.
These principles are the shortcut to learning how to use the equipment and allow you to really understand what you what you are doing so you can be confident, comfortable, and mix a great sounding show no matter what equipment or situation you are faced with.
HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT LIVE SOUND?
WANNA FIND OUT? TAKE THE QUIZHi, I'm Michelle and for more than 30 years I've been the Sound Engineer for some of the most recognizable names in music including- Gwen Stefani, Melissa Etheridge, Adam Lambert, Goo Goo Dolls, Kehsa, Elvis Costello, Janet Jackson, Styx, and many more...
With over 3 decades of professional experience in concert sound as FOH Engineer for major label artists,
I know firsthand what it takes to succeed in the world of live sound. When you enroll in Mixing Music Live you'll benefit directly from my experience mixing thousands of shows all over the world, in every size and shape of venue including festivals from Coachella to Download and TV from The Grammy's to SNL. I've even been inducted into the Full Sail University Hall of Fame!
Through the years, I’ve worked with and mentored many aspiring sound engineers who were shocked to find out that mixing live sound is a lot more complicated than they expected.
I’ve designed Mixing Music Live to:
- Save You Time: Stop wasting hours trying to figure things out on your own. This course will cut right to the nuts and bolts of live sound to fast-track your learning
- Provide Practical Knowledge: No fluff, no filler. Just the real-world skills you need to understand sound systems, operate mixers correctly, and achieve optimal sound for live events.
- Build Your Confidence: You’ll gain the skills and knowledge to approach live sound with confidence, whether you’re working with a small local band or at a large concert venue.
Simon Boniface-
"I must say that this has been the best course that I have done. The order in which the subjects have been presented and the demonstrations have been brilliant”
What You'll Learn:
- Signal Flow and the core components of a live sound system
- Basic Terminology and Stage Directions
- How to optimize Gain Structure for the Best possible Sound Quality
- How to properly Wire a Stage and Mic Cable Management
- How to create and Input List and Stage Plot
- Analog and Digital Consoles
- How to properly get the audio Signal Through the Console for Best Sound
- How to choose the right Microphones and where to place it to capture the best sound
- How to use EQ and Dynamics Processors to craft a professional-sounding mix
- How and when to use a Compressor
- How to run a successful Line check and Soundcheck
- How to Build a Mix and set-up your Workflow on the soundboard
- Basic Troubleshooting techniques
- How to use Wireless Microphones and In Ear Monitoring
- How to prevent and eliminate Feedback in live performances
- How to get the best results from the Sound System
- and more...
For a deeper look at what's included in the course CLICK HERE
If you’re like most people who want to mix live music, you probably can’t wait to get your hands on the soundboard. But there is so much more that goes into mixing a great sounding show than just pushing faders and turning knobs.
A great live mix doesn't require having expensive equipment and the best plug-ins, but it starts long before you touch the soundboard. If you don't understand the process it can be confusing and difficult.
Let's face it, no one wants to hear a bad mix when they see their favorite band playing live.
And no one running the soundboard wants to hear the audience yelling at them to ‘fix the sound’!
Mixing Music Live focuses on the essential principles that are the building blocks of every great live mix, and once you grasp them, you'll have the foundation to tackle any gig, regardless of the gear.
Ella Metcalfe-
"Mixing Music Live helped me understand what process to work through when preparing for a live show. I found the introduction to signal flow and the mixing desk the most valuable”
Student Testimonials
Jess LeBlanc
"Thank you for putting this course together! I thought this was an excellent and very thorough explanation of all the technical aspects of live sound. Very clear and some great pictures and good examples of different equipment situations to really give a good understanding of everything."
Rachel Suffian
“My biggest take away from Mixing Music Live was the inputs and outputs on the soundboard. I now have a better understanding of that and the use of inserts and EQs, and the general signal flow from setting up the stage to the order of operations on the soundboard. The tips on how to ring out the PA were very helpful. The resources you add to certain lessons is super helpful and I am happy to now have those to revert back to when I need them."
Simon Boniface
"I must say that this has been the best course that I have done. The order in which the subjects have been presented and the demonstrations have been brilliant. Everything has been very well explained and helped to re-enforce the knowledge for me. Thank you for putting the effort into to sharing your professional experience for non professionals such as myself."
Syrilyn Tong
"I really liked your course. It was very thorough, and even though I don't own or (thus far) use a large digital mixer, I feel that it's not so intimidating any more. I have taken another live sound mixing course, which was much shorter and not as thorough. I really needed help understanding dynamics, and your drum files helped me play around with the controls. I felt like I couldn't do that in a live setting and didn't have a drummer of which to sit around beating drums for me!"
Jenni Main
"After completing Mixing Music Live I have much more confidence in knowing how signal flow works and how it all connects and comes together -the order of adding in EQs, Dynamics etc. I feel I would be able to install and operate the equipment by myself whereas I have had to have help in the past. "
Stop Getting Stuck on Gear and Plug-ins
Instead of asking what plug-ins should you buy? Ask yourself:
- Do you understand what a crossover does?
- Do you know how to set optimal input gain on your inputs?
- Do you know what microphone you should use on the kick drum, guitars, cymbals, vocals?
- Do you know where to put that mic to get the best sound?
- Do you thoroughly understand all of the components of the soundboard and what they do?
- Do you know how to fix problems in the mix- like not being able to hear the vocals or feedback?
- Do you know what to do if the lead vocal suddenly drops out of the mix?
- Do you understand how to manage venue acoustics?
- Do you know how to prevent and eliminate feedback quickly?
- Can you quickly create a great sounding mix on a soundboard that you've never used before and without any plug-ins?
If your answer to these questions is No, I invite you to enroll in Mixing Music Live and get started on your journey in live sound!
GREAT SOUND MATTERS!
A great sounding mix is a crucial element for an engaging and outstanding experience by the audience and the performers. A successful show is a combination of the proficiency of the musicians and the technicians. As the sound engineer, you are the conduit between the musicians on stage and the audience. If the show doesn’t sound good, the audience is left underwhelmed and disappointed.
Here's what a few artists have said about working with Michelle...
Paul Gilbert - Mr Big, Racer X
Tommy Shaw- STYX
Indigo Girls
ARE YOU READY TO GET STARTED IN LIVE SOUND?
Learn the Essentials with this Premier Online Course.
WHAT YOU'LL GET WHEN YOU ENROLL
Mixing Music Live is a self-directed ONLINE video course that you do at your own pace.
41 Video Lessons
7 Quizzes
Downloadable Course Workbook containing PDF files to assist with Lessons
Downloadable Audio files of instruments and mixes to practice setting Gates, Compressors, and EQ
Certificate of Completion
Bonuses Including:
Troubleshooting Flow Chart
Frequency chart
Guide for Common Microphone choices
and more...
MODULE 1:
GETTING STARTED
YOU'LL LEARN:
- The most common terms used in live sound
- The parts of a sound system
- The difference between FOH and Monitors
- The different kinds of cables you'll be working with and which to use for what
MODULE 2:
SIGNAL FLOW
YOU’LL LEARN
- How the signal gets from the source to the soundboard and then to PA Speakers
- How to wire a stage
- How to create Input Lists and Stage Plots
- Stage Directions
MODULE 3:
THE CONSOLE & GAIN STRUCTURE
YOU'LL LEARN:
- What all the knobs, buttons, and faders do
- How to set proper input gain on your channels to get the best quality audio signal
- How the signal travels through the soundboard
- What a talkback mic is for and using headphones to monitor your signals
MODULE 4:
THE DIGITAL CONSOLE
YOU'LL LEARN:
- The difference between analog and digital consoles
- How to work your way through the digital soundboard from the input to output and a quick start guide
- How to patch and assign outputs on a digital console
- What are VCAs, DCAs, and Groups for and how to use them
MODULE 5:
THE TOOLS
YOU'LL LEARN:
- The different types of EQ
- How to use noise gates, compressors and effects
- How to choose a microphone and proper mic placement
- How to properly wrap a mic cable
MODULE 6:
DOING THE GIG
YOU'LL LEARN:
- How to EQ the PA to work with the room acoustics
- How to run a proper line check and soundcheck
- How to build a mix and mix monitors from FOH
- Basic troubleshooting
BONUS MODULE
YOU'LL GET
Bonus Lessons Including:
- Wireless Microphones and In Ear Monitors
- How to build a show file for a digital console
- Mixing Sound for Theater
- The number one thing you can do to get rid of feedback!
and more...
YOU'LL ALSO RECEIVE THESE OTHER GREAT BONUSES
BUY IT NOW AND OWN IT FOR LIFE
When you purchase Mixing Music Live you become a member of the MML community and have lifetime access to the course and all updates. This means that even if you aren’y quite ready to start, you can get in now and do it at your own pace! Revisit the course as much as you need and at any time for a refresher.
LEARN ON THE GO
Watch the course on any device anywhere you have access to the internet. You can also access the course via your smart phone from the FREE mobile App, giving you the convenience and ability to refer back to lessons whenever you need to. Need to remember something you learned while you're doing a gig? You can access the course wherever you are.
FREE DOWNLOADABLE MP3s OF EACH LESSON
Any time you can't watch the videos or just want to review a lesson offline, you can download the audio from all of the lessons from the course and listen while driving, or whenever you can’t watch.
FREE COURSE TRANSCRIPTS
If you find it easier to learn by reading along with the video, there are downloadable PDF transcripts available for each lesson. Great for taking notes and highlighting things you want to remember!
MIXING MUSIC LIVE-YOU'VE GOT OPTIONS:
STILL ON THE FENCE? NO PROBLEM! YOU'VE GOT 30 DAYS TO SEE FOR YOURSELF IF MML IS RIGHT FOR YOU.
Go for it! You'll have limited access to the course for 30 days to check it out. If, within 30 days, you determine this isn't for you, no worries! You can cancel, and we'll refund your money.
You know that feeling you get when you’re at an amazing live show?
Just think of how great it would feel to know that you played a part in creating such an enjoyable experience for the audience…
Take the First Step Toward Your Career in Live Sound
Don't let the overwhelming amount of information out there keep you from achieving your dream.
Mixing Music Live is designed to provide the essential skills you need to get started in live sound without the confusion and frustration.
Ready to dive in? Enroll today and get started on your path to becoming a live sound engineer!
Keep learning while you're on the go!
Doing a live event and need to review a lesson? Access Mixing Music Live any time with the free Kajabi app.
