Joe Henson and Jeff Sandstrom discuss the practical aspects of setting up gear in a live environment. Joe’s day to day operations as a system engineer include initial arrival at the venue, a walkthrough of the environment, and the deployment of the PA. Good planning is vital for a good sound and audience experience, which all involves strategically thinking through every aspect of the system.

Pre-event planning is vital for efficient setup and optimal sound distribution. Using advanced tools and venue drawings helps pre-arrange the layout of equipment to improve the setup process upon approval.

Upon arrival, the system engineer’s day begins with a “walk and chalk” process. This involves other members of the team as well with the goal of marking positions on stage and in the venue for where the equipment will be set up. A lot of pre-work is done prior to arrival that determines where to hang the PA and other elements. This is also the time where the crew identifies power sources and makes necessary adjustments before load in.

A system engineer’s main goal is to ensure that the sound coverage meets the needs of the event. This includes every seat, whether the front row or the back row. This can prove challenging for larger venues and it involved placing the PA strategically to optimize the sound for the whole audience.

The importance of adaptability cannot be overstated. System engineers must be ready to make adjustments on the fly based on the unique features of each venue. Modifying PA setups to accommodate venue-specific needs is a common challenge system engineers face.