For years, students interested in learning about sound reinforcement had few options, usually limited to attending an audio program that was 95 percent devoted to recording, and barely touched on working in a live performance setting. Now veteran FOH engineer Rick Camp has developed Master Mix Live, a school devoted to training people in the art and science of live sound.
Located in Las Vegas, Master Mix Live presents an intensive learning experience taught by Camp, who’s worked for Madonna, Beyoncé, J-Lo, Chris Brown, Burt Bacharach and others. The school opens in June, with a five-month program that combines classroom and hands-on workshop time (five hours a day/three days a week) with interning with casino showrooms and sound companies, to provide real-world experiences and perspectives.
“In terms of technology, we’re running the gamut from teaching basic electricity to the principles of rigging, covering everything having to do with live sound,” says Camp. “We have two Avid VENUE digital consoles and two Midas H3000 analog boards to provide hands-on training, as well as some smaller format consoles. At various points during the course, I’ll bring in other large-format mixers, from companies such as DiGiCo and Midas. We’ll also have a full sound system with a line array rig from ISP Technologies, as well as a selection of plug-ins and hardware outboard gear — both digital and analog, such as Avalon Design.”
The emphasis is on the students. “We’re planning for eight students per class. I don’t want any more than that to make sure I give every student individual attention.”
Besides the opportunity to work closely with and learn from an established master of the craft, another plus is being able to work on actual multi-tracks from major artist shows — such as J-Lo, Beyoncé, Babyface and others. “These are incorporated into the material I use for teaching how to use EQ, gates, compressors, effects and mixing techniques,” Camp explains. “At the very end, we’ll get into the advanced mixing techniques you’d use in environments from arenas to clubs. We’ll also be bringing in bands, and students will be miking the band and putting up a mix. It all starts with talking with the band leader, putting mic charts and stage plots together, doing the line check, the sound check and the show with the band.”
Troubleshooting will also be emphasized. “Anybody can mix when everything’s working perfect. Once students understand signal flow, they’ll be tested on troubleshooting. Not anything too deep — that’s another class — but they’ll have to know how to fix a mic cable or guitar cord, or replace a speaker.”
Technology aside, there’s another skill required for success. “Understanding the psychology of being a mixer — especially when dealing with superstar acts such as Jennifer Lopez or Beyoncé — is essential. Some artists don’t even want to talk to you and you only communicate through their managers; others are so involved that they want to be at the board, pushing faders,” says Camp. “I want my students to be aware of the psychology of mixing, whether they’re working with upcoming artists or megastars.”
Registration for the June term is already underway. For more info about Master Mix Live, visit www.mastermixlive.com.
