Taking Back Sunday
Photo: Calvin Engel
Four-piece rockers Taking Back Sunday (don’t we all wish we could?!) are out on a nationwide headlining tour in support of New Again, which was released last month. Mix talked with the band’s front-of-house engineer, Marc Jacob Hudson.
How much gear are you carrying?
I was carrying just a mic package comprising mostly Sennheiser Evolution Series.
What is your go-to piece?
For this band, when we’re on an analog console, I try to line up a BSS 901 for the center vocal channel. It’s a lifesaver with Adam [Lazzara’s] “creative” mic technique. When we’re on digital, I try to use whichever plug-in is available for multiband dynamics: McDSP MC2000 on a Digidesign VENUE or the built-in multiband comp on the Yamaha PM5D. Another favorite piece is the Line 6 Echo Pro delay.
Do you have a specific mixing style?
I’m pretty much always striving for overall clarity and intelligibility. This band’s songs are pretty dense, with lots of motion in all the parts — drums, bass, guitars and vocals — so keeping everything in its own space can be quite a challenge.
Engineer Hudson
What board did you mix on?
We had different consoles every night. We generally request a PM5D for those kind of shows, although I prefer the sound of the VENUE. We ended up with an iLive, Soundcraft Vi6 and a couple Midas analogs on the European dates.
When you’re not on the road, where can we find you?
I travel as tour manager/FOH with Saves the Day and Thursday. I also operate a recording studio in Michigan.
