The Barefoot Servants joined Mix, Electronic Musician, Remix and Intel to celebrate EM‘s 20th anniversary at the annual NAMM Advertiser Party (January 19, 2006). Mix caught up with front-of-house engineer Mitch Lerner, who has also worked for Charlotte Martin, Jimmy Eat World, Polyphonic Spree and many others.
What gear did you use for this show?
The P.A. provided had P.A.S. tops and a single 18-inch sub per side (QSC Powerlight — powered). Monitors were also P.A.S. (Crown-powered). I used a Mackie console for front of house and monitors. Outboard gear includes dbx 31-band EQs for the house and 15-band for the stage. I also carried a dbx 1066 2-channel compressor and a 376 channel strip for vocals. I also brought a TC Electronic M-One for ‘verb.
Any special mixing techniques?
While I tend to lean toward more atmospheric acts that allow me to add elements and enhance a mix, the Barefoot Servants really give me everything I need straight from the stage. The most difficult aspect has to be the effort required to make the acoustic guitars sound natural and full enough to drive the songs while still remaining clear for solos and flavor.
What are you using mic-wise?
Shure Beta 87s on vocals, Sennheiser e602 for kick, Sennheiser e604 for snare (mostly for body), AKG 451s over the kit, Tubeworks DI and Shure SM7 for bass, Shure 57s for acoustic and lap steel amps, and Shure KSM 32 for Ben.
When you’re not on the road, where can we find you?
I wish I could say that I’d be bowling, but I typically find myself continuing in the studio wherever I’d previously left off. I’m currently wrapping up a record with a band called Edgewater and have been working on pre-production for two more projects.
