Good idea on just homebrewing a baffle!

I normally just ask them nicely to turn down, if they can do so without sacrificing tone, and otherwise encourage them to point their amp towards the curtains.

I’ve definitely seen some folks prop their amps to angle them toward their heads from time to time — I’ll start working that suggestion in for sure, since every little bit of db decrease will help in that small room.

I also want to get a set of ClearSonics or similar for cymbal wash. May not be able to use them all the time (stage real estate is at a premium), but they would be nice to have.

At my home venue, I have no protection. If you fuck with me—particularly within the first twoish songs of a set—my usual response is to look them dead in the eye and say, “Where do you work? I’m going to come to your job and help you on Monday.” And that usually scares them off.

Sometimes, I feel bad about it and will find and apologize to that person later, explaining why I reacted like that.

My favorite is when it’s a local/college-age band and parents are around. Or spouses of older band members. “No, I can’t get her vocal any louder because she’s whispering six inches from the microphone and Jimi Hendrix up there is blasting his amp at 11.”

All this said, it’s a common misconception that “asshole” is the default mode of operation for a sound engineer. It’s just that the job is fucking stressful, and if you catch us at the height of that stress, we will react poorly. I’ve definitely come across a few grumps, but most folks are nice on average — kinda have to be so that people will want to work with you. Most of us just want to work with the team to make a good show happen.

To your original point, it’s 100% true that the better the artist, the better/easier the mix. Can only polish a turd so much before it crumbles.

I have a masters in an academic field, but my profession is sound engineer. I learned the trade like an apprentice, but my academic background really helps my main job as a production manager — lots of organizing and communication to handle on the business side.

I think a common misconception of (live) sound engineers is that we’re always partying, but this shit is work, especially if you find yourself on the road.

I’m a little surprised there’s no reference to The House on Ash Tree Lane in that wiki article

Maybe you typo’d that description of S-Town, but it was definitely non-fiction/investigative journalism!

Growing up in a rural area and having experienced a period of social isolation in my young adulthood, that story absolutely haunts me.

I’m a skinny American, and it’s very difficult to find clothes that fit me right—always has been.

Tried on a pair of slim cut jeans the other day in a box store, and the thigh fit like a pair of pantaloons. This is partly due to the trend toward baggier fits (kill me), and even one of my go-to brands sits a little more loosely than I’d like, at the moment.

On one hand, I can still walk into the store I shopped at in high school, pick up my size and cut of pant, and walk out without trying them on, knowing that they will work. On the other hand, I’d like to walk into a store for adults and be able to find my size in a cut that fits.

I knew two years ago when I saw that rich white lady wearing what looked like Jncos for rich white ladies that I was about to get fucked by the resurgence of late 90s fashion styles. Baggy doesn’t look good on someone who looks like they were built out of toothpicks.

All this to say: chin up! Your time is coming!