Mixing for live backing tracks

[musojosh]

Hey guys.

 

I'm working on a 30-40 song project with a singer who wants to perform solo with acoustic-type backing tracks. Mainly upbeat covers etc.

 

So I'm just wanting some mix tips as i think it will be the most important stage of the process and I'm not used to mixing for live sound.

 

We're nearing the end of the project and getting ready to mix. Instrumentation includes one main acoustic guitar, a second acoustic guitar often playing the a similar rhythm to guitar one (or playing lead stuff), but higher up the neck. Then a BFD2 kick drum sound and a shaker.

 

I'm worried about phasing issues between the two guitars when they are playing similar rhythms because sometimes live p.a.'s will be running in mono.

 

Also need to make everything punchy and full, not over-compressed, so that it all sounds live.

 

Also, roughly what frequency should i highlight in the kick drum so that it comes across well through smaller p.a.'s?

 

I will be mixing on a pair of Adam A7X's, but I will also bring in a p.a. speaker.

 

 

 

Any tips/recommendations?

 

Thanks!

 

 

Using:

Logic Studio 8

MacBook Pro

Adam A7X Monitors

BFD2

[David Nahmani]

I'm worried about phasing issues between the two guitars when they are playing similar rhythms because sometimes live p.a.'s will be running in mono.

Insert a gain plug-in on your Stereo Output channel strip and click its Mono plug-in to check for phase issues when summing your mix in mono.

 

As for the rest... look, you're going to mix with a given set of speakers, knowing full well that it will be played back on completely different sets of speakers. There's no magic, you can't guess, really, so unless you have access to that specific P.A. or those specific P.A.s you'll have surprises once in the club. I've done it, and I have had surprises.

 

After a while you start getting a feel for what works and what doesn't. I can't really help you because in my case the backing tracks were industrial-rock synths, in your case they're acoustic instruments... so what I've learned for myself wouldn't help you.

 

The only advice I can give you is to take notes when playing live. It will not sound perfect the first night. So take notes. Then go tweak the mix. Then the following night, take some more notes... of course, it may be a different PA.. .but after a while you do notice some patterns.

 

I'm sorry I couldn't give you more specific numbers or settings, but I don't think there's a magic formula, you just have to try and correct, try again and correct again, etc. Best of luck.