Best Tools for Touring Sound Engineers

Remember that time when you looked in your tech case and thought, “Nah, I won’t need that”, but then you did?

When mixing live there’s very little room for mistakes – particularly those that result from not having exactly what you need for the gig, close to hand. So, when problems do crop up or something fails, you need the right tool, fast.

Here, we’ll cover some problem-solving Radial technology specifically designed to enhance your ability to deal with (and/or prevent) common and unique issues, regardless of where the road takes you and what you find when you get there.

We’ll also touch on some other bits, bobs, odds, ends, and pointy things that are essential to have on hand – tradecraft essentials that should be in any tech kit.

First up…

DIs for Every Application

While we’re talking essentials, there are a few tools every engineer should have to hand. They vary, and chances are you’ve added, refined, and reprioritized A) because you didn’t realize you’d need that when you started out or B) walked into a venue, onto a stage, or up to monitor or FOH world and thought, “I wish I had a…”

Now, depending on who you are and how long you’ve been at it – and, frankly, what horror shows you’ve witnessed over time – you may be thinking, “Yeah – I got it. What am I, new?” You may, but some folks reading this might not, folks who might just be working a gig with you when you think, “Why didn’t I bring X, Y, or Z? What am I, new?”

Headlamp/Flashlight – No explanation necessary.

RTA Audio Analyzer, SPL Metre, Ear Plugs, Cable Tester, Headphones, Batteries – Ditto.

And, of course…

Tape – all kinds – Gaff, Board, and, yes, you need duct tape, too – preferably a substantial roll of black duct tape and one other bright or unusual colour. Someone will still walk off with the black tape, but they’ll think twice about the fancy stuff.

Sharpie/Notepad/Board Tape – The holy trinity for ensuring everything and anything that could change between the time you set it and the time you need to use it is labelled, noted, and accessible even when your phone is dead.

Road-Ready – Rock-Solid

The tools above will help you keep everything together, but sometimes you’ll need the right bits for taking things apart…

Multi-tool with Wire Cutters – For fixing a mic clip, cutting zip ties, or popping open a panel, you’re multi-tool is your best friend, but not your only friend.

A Knife – Yes, an actual knife, sharp, but relatively inexpensive – for all those times when you need to cut something without all the multi-tools of your multi-tool getting in the way.

Work Gloves – even if you’re a briefcase mixer, it doesn’t hurt to have gloves, because it will hurt if you find yourself moving gear, especially when overly hot/cold/wet/or otherwise inclement weather starts turning that little ding in your knuckle into a painful split that screams – ‘why didn’t you bring work gloves?’ every time you push a fader.

Splitting the Difference Doesn’t Have to be Painful

More IS More

Just like the road, the list could go on forever: a tarp and a compact, heavy-duty rain poncho (because it never rains, but it pours); a soldering iron; a portable fan (to help cool off you and the console); white tape for steps/edges of the stage and/or FOH riser as necessary, but, most importantly…

Patience, abiding and enduring patience – preferably in addition to advance intelligence about what exactly you’re walking into.