Live sound mixing is an exciting and rewarding skill, but it also comes with some potential hazards. Whether you are a professional or a hobbyist, you need to take care of your audio equipment and your personal safety when working in live events. In this article, we will share some tips on how to avoid common risks and prevent accidents in live sound mixing.
One of the most important aspects of live sound mixing is ensuring that your power sources are reliable, safe, and compatible with your equipment. You should always use grounded outlets, surge protectors, and extension cords that are rated for the load and the environment. You should also avoid overloading the circuits, running cables across walkways, or creating tripping hazards. If possible, use battery-powered devices or wireless systems to reduce the need for cables. And always turn off and unplug your equipment when not in use or during breaks.
- electricity is dangerous and so you need to make sure of safety. Do not trust a new rig you have rented until you verify it’s safety.
Technical certification for all on-site personnel that covers all safety measures for deployment and operations of the system
Before every live event, you should inspect your audio equipment for any signs of damage, wear, or malfunction. You should look for cracks, loose connections, frayed wires, or exposed parts that could cause electric shocks, fires, or injuries. You should also test your equipment for sound quality, feedback, distortion, or interference. If you find any problems, you should either fix them, replace them, or notify the event organizer or the venue manager. You should also label your equipment clearly and keep an inventory of what you have and where it is.
In our business cabling needs to be replaced when show signs of Nick's ans twists, and of course frayed wiring . Proper bundling in highways are recommended for excessive cabling.
1. Regularly inspect all audio equipment for any signs of damage, wear, or malfunction. This includes cables, connectors, speakers, microphones, and mixing consoles. 2. Follow manufacturer guidelines and industry best practices when setting up audio equipment. 3. Pay attention to electrical safety by using properly grounded power outlets and surge protectors. 4. Implement effective cable management techniques to prevent tangled cables and trip hazards. 5. Ensure that audio equipment, such as amplifiers and mixing consoles, have proper ventilation to prevent overheating. 6. Provide appropriate training to audio personnel on equipment safety protocols, emergency procedures, and safe handling practices.
Live sound mixing can expose you to loud noises, bright lights, and extreme temperatures. You should always wear protective gear to prevent hearing loss, eye strain, or heat exhaustion. You should wear earplugs or headphones that can reduce the noise level and protect your ears from sudden spikes or feedback. You should also wear sunglasses or goggles that can shield your eyes from glare, lasers, or pyrotechnics. And you should wear comfortable clothing and shoes that can keep you cool, dry, and stable.
Every live event has some rules and regulations that you need to follow to ensure the safety of yourself, your equipment, and the audience. You should always read and understand the contracts, permits, and policies that apply to your live sound mixing. You should also follow the instructions and guidelines of the event organizer, the venue manager, and the security staff. You should respect the boundaries and the access areas that are designated for your audio equipment and personnel. And you should cooperate with the other crew members and performers to avoid conflicts or misunderstandings.
Even if you follow all the safety tips, you may still encounter some unexpected situations or emergencies during live sound mixing. You should always be prepared for any potential scenarios and have a backup plan. You should have a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, and a flashlight handy in case of injuries, fires, or power outages. You should also have a spare set of batteries, cables, fuses, and tools in case of equipment failure or damage. And you should have a contact list of the event organizer, the venue manager, and the emergency services in case of any serious issues.
Live sound mixing is a skill that requires constant learning and improvement. You should always seek feedback, advice, and guidance from other live sound engineers, mentors, or experts. You should also keep up with the latest trends, technologies, and techniques in live sound mixing. You should attend workshops, courses, or seminars that can enhance your knowledge and skills. And you should practice, experiment, and challenge yourself to achieve the best sound quality and safety in live sound mixing.
Keep the exit paths clear! Don't obscure exit signs, provide your own EXIT signs if your set, truss or drape make it hard to see exits. The commercially available types with battery backup--and the white LED's path illumination that come on when power goes out-- can be modified by adding a 'storage' switch so the batts don't discharge between shows.