Gig Gab - The Working Musician's Podcast Podcast Por Dave Hamilton & Friends arte de portada

Gig Gab - The Working Musician's Podcast

Gig Gab - The Working Musician's Podcast

De: Dave Hamilton & Friends
Escúchala gratis

OFERTA POR TIEMPO LIMITADO | Obtén 3 meses por US$0.99 al mes

$14.95/mes despues- se aplican términos.
Welcome to Gig Gab—the podcast sanctuary for working musicians and anyone fascinated by the vibrant, often unseen world behind every note played on stage. Whether you’re a musician, a member of the crew, or just someone who loves peeking behind the curtain to discover the secrets of live performances, you’ve found your tribe.BackBeat Media, LLC 2026 Música
Episodios
  • The Engineer Is in the Band: Instinct, Ears, and Live Sound with Mike deAlmeida

    The Engineer Is in the Band: Instinct, Ears, and Live Sound with Mike deAlmeida
    Jan 19 2026
    You’ve done gigs where nothing goes according to plan, but this episode reminds you that chaos is often the classroom. From sleeping on road cases at the Puerto Rican Day Parade to riding a flatbed packed with servo-driven subs that overwhelmed even earplugs and shooting cans, you hear how real-world pressure forges real skills. Mike deAlmeida walks you through learning to roll with it, figuring out systems on the fly before tools like Smaart were common, and walking into unknown gigs where the unknown singer/songwriter turns out to be Shawn Colvin. The lesson is clear: when you don’t know the band, communication is everything. Ask how they sound, listen closely, and remember that for that moment, you are part of the band. You’re playing the “mixing keyboard” today, so Always Be Performing. As the night wears on, the room changes and so must you. Heat, humidity, and ear fatigue quietly shift the mix, especially in the highs and high-mids, and Mike explains why gradual adjustments beat drastic moves every time. You’re reminded to watch the show, not just the meters, and to listen first before using tools like Smaart to confirm what your ears already know. From sweating out microphones and treating them like EQ devices to protecting your hearing with custom molds, active earplugs, and smart exposure management, this episode ties craft, tech, and longevity together. Layer in legendary Celebrity Week stories, the Van Halen M&Ms lesson, and Beach Boys theatrics, and you’re left with one guiding principle: mix a good show, every time, because that’s how careers last. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 517 – Monday, January 19th, 2026 January 19th: Tin Can DayGuest co-host: Mike deAlmeida, Program Director, Audio Engineering at University of HartfordNAMM coming up! GG Coverage Sponsor: Ultimate Ears Pro! 00:01:50 Puerto Rican Day Parade Sleeping on road cases overnightAn insane number of speakersEarplugs + Shooting cans STILL were too loudServo drives – highly efficient, but not fast. They have motors in them.Security wouldn’t let us off the truck. 00:06:43 Gig learning vs. classroom learning Learning to roll with it 00:08:52 When you don’t know the band A little jazz band…as wallpaperSussed out the system manually (before the Smaart Live days!)And a singer/songwriter… who turned out to be Shawn Colvin 00:12:52 Communicating with a band you’ve never seen Very helpful tips:“Here’s how our band sounds.”Guitar players who manage their levels between rhythm and solosAs an engineer, you are a member of the band (for that moment)“You play mixing keyboard today” 00:20:37 Teaching the foundation in class, students often seek practical experience on their own Finding practical applications WHILE you’re in class is gold. You learn so much.It all comes back to communication skillsFor FOH engineers, watch the show! Pay attention to the band members 00:24:30 Sound changes throughout the night Heat and humidity will cause ebbs and flows (especially outdoors, but even inside)Watch the highs and high-midsSound travels faster through a thick mediumGradual adjustments so it sounds betterIncreasing the mains throughout the show to keep the perceived level due to ear fatigueSmaart Live for tweaking live soundListen first, then use the gear to confirm what you’re hearing 00:31:35 When I mix, I want to hear a good show So I tell the sound guy (me) to mix a good show 00:32:57 Using the tech to isolate live to find (and fix) problems Beyerdynamic MM1 – a measurement mic AND a podcast mic 00:33:48 Learning the nuances of problems00:35:24 Hot lights to add to the sun! Sweating out microphones… heat shrink tubing plus medical tape solves itMicrophones are EQ devices – Matt from Roswell Audio 00:39:38 Mixing with earplugs? Westone custom mold earplugs with 15dB Etymotic filtersHearing protection vs. exposure timeUS Navy study on hearing health with submarine crewHuberman Lab episode on hearing health 00:44:39 AirPods Pro “active earplugs” (aka Hearing Protection) Comply Foam tips for AirPods ProDefendEar from Westone 00:52:25 Stories from Celebrity Week at North Shore Music Theatre Almost got into a rumble with Al MartinoFace the wall when Wynona Judd walks byGallagher (or his brother!)The Beach BoysWeird Al 00:56:04 The Van Halen M&Ms story00:57:37 The Beach Boys surfing on the revolving stage00:59:41 Gig Gab 519 Outtro Follow Mike deAlmeida Check the University of Hartford’s BS in Audio Engineering Technology Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagramfeedback@giggabpodcast.comSign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post The Engineer Is in the Band: Instinct, Ears, and Live Sound with Mike deAlmeida — Gig Gab 517 appeared first on Gig Gab.
    Más Menos
    1 h y 3 m
  • Be Prepared and Predictable: How Richie Castellano Stays Gig-Ready

    Be Prepared and Predictable: How Richie Castellano Stays Gig-Ready
    Jan 12 2026
    You jump straight into the deep end with Richie Castellano as you explore what happens when preparation collides with opportunity. You follow his path from mixing weddings to standing behind massive analog rigs, wrangling six guitar channels, chasing down mysterious hums, and learning fast that the gremlins always show up when you least expect them. When the call comes to go from being Blue Oyster Cult’s sub sound engineer to bass player in four days with 21 songs to learn, the lesson is clear: play something you know, rehearse smart, and build a Just In Case bag that saves the gig. Success is not luck. It is preparation meeting the moment, and you are either ready or you are not. In order to Always Be Performing you need to Always Be Preparing! As the conversation deepens, you learn how adaptability gets and keeps gigs, from joining the culture of a band to solving problems so painlessly you become indispensable. Richie breaks down the craft of learning, teaching, and arranging vocal harmonies, including Yes music at the highest level, where not nailing the vocals means the whole thing falls apart. You hear why simplifying is sometimes the smart move, how spreadsheets can ease rehearsals, and why blending matters more than showing off. The episode closes with practical wisdom on collaboration with front of house, constant communication inside the band, and surrounding yourself with people on the same mission. This is a masterclass in being prepared, predictable, drama-free, and trusted when it counts. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 516 – Monday, January 12th, 2026 January 12th: National Hot Tea DayGuest co-host: Richie CastellanoNAMM coming up!GG Coverage Sponsor: Ultimate Ears Pro! 00:01:40 From mixing weddings to arenas overnight Called to sub as Blue Oyster Cult’s sound engineerSteve “Woody” La Cerra“Make them sound like a big bad rock band” 00:06:53 The differences doing sound in a big room? Six channels of guitar for 3 guitar players!Where’s the cowbell?!? 00:10:28 Arriving ten minutes before downbeat with the biggest system of my life And it’s analog!What’s that low hum 00:12:49 The Gremlins That Run Around On Stage When You’re Not Looking Play something you know 00:17:46 SPONSOR: Squarespace. Check out https://www.squarespace.com/GIGGAB to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code GIGGAB.00:19:10 From sound to…playing bass in four days! Here’s 18 songs… I mean 21 songs. Be ready to play this by FridaySuccess is when preparation meets opportunity. Here’s the opportunity. Now you have to prepare for it!Buck Dharma on Gig GabFirst gig was canceled… But that led to a rehearsalTime to talk about the JustInCase…aka the Idiot Bag!Plugged into the TV to rehearse 00:22:39 “If you can do this five times in a row, this will be your gig.”00:25:02 Do you just want me to join the band? If you solve a problem for someone painlessly, you’re not likely to be replaced.Be Prepared and PredictableAnd No Drama 00:28:41 Joining the culture of a band Matt Beck on guitar for the recent Jon Anderson tour fit perfectlyBeing adaptable gets and keeps gigs 00:33:22 Learning and teaching harmonies Learning how to soften and blend40th Anniversary of Agents of FortuneA trick: learn how to do impressions. “Sing this like Peter Gabriel”, “Sing this like Michael McDonald” 00:39:51 Arranging Harmonies for Yes music Don’t be afraid to simplify, folksUse a spreadsheet!Get it to “the best WE can do it”Then ask “how can we make this blend better?” 00:45:13 If we don’t nail the vocals, we suck!00:48:29 The collaboration between band and front of house Ask front of house engineer: What do you need from me to sound good?End sound check with an a capella vocal moment 00:52:24 Talk to your bandmates and continually tweak things “Why does your snare drum sound different today?” 00:54:11 Surround yourself with bandmates who are on the same mission00:59:58 When bands write vocal harmonies01:04:18 Gig Gab 514 Outtro Follow Richie CastellanoContact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagramfeedback@giggabpodcast.comSign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Be Prepared and Predictable: How Richie Castellano Stays Gig-Ready — Gig Gab 516 appeared first on Gig Gab.
    Más Menos
    1 h y 7 m
  • Mixing Legends Live: Robert Scovill at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

    Mixing Legends Live: Robert Scovill at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
    Jan 5 2026
    You step into the pressure cooker of elite live sound, where Robert Scovill shows you why chaos is often the best teacher. From mixing Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions with zero margin for error to handling full-band changeovers on the fly, you learn that perfection is worth chasing but dangerous to demand. You hear why live mixing beats the studio for him. It is about capturing ensemble moments, not polishing parts. Even when the doubt creeps in before showtime, the lights come up, the band hits, and the moment reminds you why you do this. This is the mindset of Always Be Performing. You also get practical, battle-tested tactics for surviving high-stakes gigs. Learn how to study a band fast, who sings, who solos, and when, using recordings and YouTube as prep tools. You hear what it takes to mix legendary harmony vocals, why artists like Def Leppard insist on singing live, and how those expectations shape your approach. Then it gets nerdy in the best way, with the evolution of De-Feedback, real-world use at the Rock Hall, and how tools like reverse impulse responses can clean up wedges, vocals, and even IEMs. The takeaway is clear. Preparation, adaptability, and relentless curiosity are what keep you in the game. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 515 – Monday, January 5th, 2026 January 12th: National Day of DialogueGuest co-host: Robert Scovill 00:01:25 Mixing Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 10+ Acts… with full changeoversTrial by fire, with no time! 00:07:27 The enjoyment of the pressure of mixing live Perfection is a great thing to strive for, a terrible thing to achieve 00:09:00 Giving up on the studio in favor of live Way more interested in recording ensemble moments 00:10:10 Started in live sound in the 1970s Started with Shooting Star 00:12:04 Full circle moments at Rock Hall Mixing the Joe Cocker induction with Tedeschi TrucksMixing Peter Frampton…a throwback moment 00:17:34 That thought creeps in: “I don’t know if I can keep doing this” And then the show happens…with all of its moments! 00:22:34 Learning a band quickly Who’s singing? When?Who plays the guitar solos (and when)?Give them a recording in advanceFind them on YouTube 00:25:53 Dolly Parton and Rob Halford sing Jolene00:28:23 Mixing Def Leppard harmony vocals Def Leppard is a great example: they wanted to sing liveThey worked hard to deliver what they expected (and what people expected) 00:34:50 Mixing Prince at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame00:38:20 Always Be Recording…and here’s why: Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks And a new ProTools feature was born: VENUE Link 00:43:04 Alpha Labs De-Feedback Started as an aside in Scovill’s Back LoungeNeve 5045 Primary Source ExpanderWaves PSE PluginDe-Feedback does reverse impulse responses 00:48:42 De-Feedback started to “make churches sound better”00:57:28 De-Feedback at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Elton John (because of his loud monitor wedges)Cyndi Lauper 01:02:02 Comparing De-Feedback to a Neve 5045 Waves NS1 01:10:19 A live De-Feedback demo and some nerdy details!01:26:24 Fixing IEMs with De-Feedback Think about eliminating drum bleed from vocal mics, for one. 01:28:47 Gig Gab 515 Outtro Follow Robert Scovill On FacebookOn InstagramOn LinkedInRobertScovill.com (where you’ll find The Back Lounge) Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagramfeedback@giggabpodcast.comSign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Mixing Legends Live: Robert Scovill at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — Gig Gab 515 appeared first on Gig Gab.
    Más Menos
    1 h y 32 m
Todavía no hay opiniones