Masterful Mixes & Mistaken Identities: Brad Madix’s Tips from Florence to Rush to Linkin Park…
Channel: Gig Gab Podcast
Date: 2024-02-05

This week on Gig Gab, Brad Madix drops by for a masterclass in live sound mixing, sharing insights from his expansive career that's touched the stages of Florence + the Machine, Sara Bareilles, Queensrÿche, Rush, and Linkin Park, to name a few.

Diving into the nuances of live performance, Brad helps Dave Hamilton unpack the evolution of touring post-COVID. With a focus on the technical, discussions veer into the realms of using virtual sound checks, the intricacies — and benefits — of playing to a click, and the revolutionary impact of mixing with scenes.

Brad emphasizes the importance of learning your mixer inside out and shares practical advice on managing levels and maintaining a reasonably loud stage volume. "Always Be Performing" isn't just a catchphrase; it's a philosophy that underscores their conversation, highlighting the constant adaptation and learning required in the dynamic world of live music production.

In a lighter moment, Brad regales listeners with tales from the road, including humorous instances of mistaken identity involving Geddy Lee and another with Bruce Willis (well, someone in Japan certainly thought so!), offering a glimpse into the lighter side of touring life.

The episode is a treasure trove of tips and tricks for live sound engineers of all levels. Packing for tour life, navigating the challenges of live streams, and the shift in touring dynamics since COVID are also dissected, providing a comprehensive overview for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the live music scene. Whether you're behind the mixer or dreaming of your next gig, this episode is a reminder that in the world of live music, the key to success is to "Always Be Performing", embracing every challenge and opportunity with open arms and, especially, open ears.

P.S. It turns out I lied at the end of the episode: I completely neglected to properly hit 'record' on the video stream, so that doesn't exist. Sorry, folks! -Dave

Chapters:
00:00:00 Gig Gab 415 - Monday, February 5th, 2024 https://giggabpodcast.com/
00:03:40 Diablo Digital (with Greg Price, Metallica’s FOH engineer) https://diablodigital.com/
00:13:35 What’s Different About Touring since COVID? https://giggabpodcast.com/
00:20:37 Playing to a click https://giggabpodcast.com/
00:22:17 Monitors with TimeCode https://giggabpodcast.com/
00:24:37 Mixing with Scenes https://giggabpodcast.com/
00:30:13 Learn Your Mixer https://giggabpodcast.com/
00:35:19 SPONSOR: Bandzoogle’s new EPK plan starts at just $6.95 per month, and Gig Gab podcast listeners can go to Bandzoogle.com to try it free for 30 days, then use the promo code “giggabEPK” to get 10% off the first year of the new EPK plan subscription. https://bandzoogle.com/?pc=giggabEPK
00:36:43 More Tips and Tricks https://giggabpodcast.com/
00:40:02 Be reasonably loud on stage https://giggabpodcast.com/
00:46:02 Managing Your Levels Throughout The Night https://giggabpodcast.com/
00:55:38 Packing for Tour https://giggabpodcast.com/
01:00:35 Story Time with Brad http://www.diablodigital.com/index#/brad-madix
01:01:10 Is That Geddy Lee? http://www.diablodigital.com/index#/brad-madix
01:04:10 Can I get a picture with Bruce Willis? http://www.diablodigital.com/index#/brad-madix
01:05:30 Gig Gab 415 Outtro https://giggabpodcast.com/