Currently hitting the small-club circuit with New Orleans funkstersGalactic during the band’s Freestyle 2004 tour, front-of-house engineerJereb Carter (who has also manned the FOH board for Garage a Trois)shares some insight into creating perfect sound in close quarters.
Is it harder to work in smaller venues?
Small venues can be easy and fun to mix. However, some bars can be aless-conducive mixing environment with loud patrons and small, unkemptP.A.s!
How much production gear do you carry?
I carry an outboard rack that comprises a PCM81, SPX-2000, TCElectronic D2 Delay, six dbx 166 comps and a Sony R500 DAT machine. Iuse this to supplement house P.A.s that sometimes don’t have all I needto keep a consistent sound. For in-ears, we use Shure 700 Series. I usemostly Audix mics, with the exception of one 421 for guitar and oneSM58 for sax. The Audix mics sound natural for drums, and the OM Serieshave great rejection for vocals and are very road-worthy.
Do you have any “must have” pieces of gear you travelwith?
For kick drum, I always carry an Audix D6 and a SansAmp distortionpedal for snare: Do not try this at home!
Do you have any favorite venues you like to work in?
It’s hard to say, but being from Colorado, I am biased. Some of myfavorites include Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the Fillmore in Denver (andSan Francisco), the Fox Theatre (Boulder), the Rico Theatre andTipitinas in New Orleans. All these venues sound great and have some ofthe best staffs in the country!
What do you like to do when you’re off the road?
I enjoy spending time with family and friends, playing music,snowboarding and the occasional bonfire!
