Live Sound Reference Guide for Beginners
The Stagehand
So you got asked to be a stagehand at your school or college but don't know anything at all about audio. All to often students get hired to this position as a work-study or to fulfill a class requirement. Most times, administrators don't think much is required of a stagehand. As an audio engineer for that recital hall or auditorium, they would hope you can at least plug in a microphone cable or know what the cable looks like. In this section, we will go over the basics of what you would probably need to know or how to deal with a situation in order to be a useful stagehand for the audio engineer.
Equipment
It's probably a good idea to know what the pieces of audio equipment are called and what it looks like if you are ever asked to retrieve any of it. Here is list of the most common equipment you may run into. Remember, this is more about learning about the equipment and less on how to actually run it.
Mixer
Mixer - Also know as a mixing console or mixing board, sometimes just console or board. All microphones and other audio signals find their way to this piece of equipment in order for it to be heard in the speakers.
Microphone
Microphone - This is pretty much what the artist or guest is singing or speaking into. Microphones can also be pointed at instruments. A microphone's purpose is to amplify whatever its pointing at. They come in all different shapes and sizes. Microphones are generally connected using an XLR Cable to a near by connection. Microphones can also be wireless.
D.I. Box
D.I. Box - Also know as a direct injection box. This box is basically a sort of adapter to change one connection, such as a 1/4 inch cable(guitar cable), to an XLR connection. This is done since most stage connections or boxes are only XLR. This can be used for many things such as connecting electric piano keyboards, electric guitars and bass, or other electronic instruments that don't have a XLR connection. They can also be used to connect laptops or MP3 players. Just know that this is the preferred way to get something connected if it is not have an XLR connection.
XLR Cable
XLR Cable - Also known as a microphone cable, sometimes called simply mic cable. This cable connects microphones, D.I. Boxes, and other devices or instruments to the stage connection or box. Wrapping these cables is also sometimes often a chore left to the stagehand, so knowing how to wrap them is important. Never wrap a microphone cable like you are wrapping an extension cable around your shoulder. There is a trick to it, as will be shown in this video.
Microphone Stand
Microphone Stand - Also called a mic stand. This basically holds the microphone for the performer on stage. Also a chore for the stagehand is to put up a microphone stand. Some stands have a round solid metal bottom while others are a tripod. Nothing from the stand should be taken apart except for the microphone and the microphone clip. Removing the microphone clip is the preference of the audio engineer. If the clip is removed, make sure to keep it with the microphone that it was holding. This helps make sure you didn't forget any clips and that none go missing. If you have more clips than microphones, you may have misplaced or lost a microphone. It has happened.
Helpful Tips
Coming soon.....