My interest in sound started when I first learned how to play with my parents Hifi system. One of my earliest memories is plugging a microphone into the headphone socket and it making noise. I realised right then that microphones and headphones are the same inside just designed differently for different applications. (Oh and feedback, much to my parents’ dismay….. I loved feedback!).
From then on I was hooked. I played bass in bands and was always the one messing with the sound kit. After leaving school I moved on to college to study an A level in Music Tech. Where one of my lecturers caught my imagination when showing us how to use a real sound desk. I was obsessed! By the 2nd year, I was working for free with local PA companies just to gain some experience. A few years later I was to get my first paid gig, from there to working in venues, then working for bands on tour.
I’ve been in the industry now for 22 years, I’ve stood in the dark corners of the stage all over the world. I’ve primarily been a monitor engineer, mixing both wedges and IEMs. I also have the skills to RF tech and my current direction is taking me more towards system tech’ing. I had the pleasure 10 years ago to spend a few weeks doing the Meyersound training “System design principles” and “comprehensive system design” with Mauricio Ramirez and Bob McCarthy and have always wanted to go in that direction. This has lead me to more recently attended the Smaart 8 training, d&b training, a session with Merlijn Van Veen, and doing my L’acoustics certifications. I’m also looking forward to attending the L’acoustics Level 2 training thanks to L’acoustics and the Soundgirls.
There is no better feeling than hanging a sound system, seeing the show happen, knowing you put it up there and designed the system. I love what I do and continue to do it with the same passion I started with.