A sound check isn’t just “testing the mic.” It’s the part of setup where everything comes together — planning, equipment, room layout, and final fine-tuning — to make sure the event sounds great from the very first word.
Most people only see the last few minutes of a sound check, but there’s a full process behind it.
Pre-Step: Good Sound Starts With Planning
Before anything is turned on, your audio team needs a clear picture of the event. This includes knowing:
- the approximate size of the room
- what microphones will be used
- which instruments or performers need microphones
- how many channels each input will take
- where speakers will be placed
- whether monitors (if any) are required
- what outputs feed FOH, recording, or online broadcast feeds
A key part of this planning is deciding what actually needs to be mic’d:
- piano
- guitar
- drums
- vocalists
- choirs
- strings (cello, violin, etc.)
- brass
- soloists or ensembles
And one important question shapes the entire setup:
👉 Are you only reinforcing sound for the room, or are you also recording or sending audio to an online broadcast feed?
This matters because some instruments — like trumpets, trombones, or other naturally loud instruments — may not need microphones for in-room reinforcement, but do need to be mic’d if:
- you’re recording the performance
- you’re sending audio to an online broadcast feed
Room-only reinforcement and broadcast audio have very different needs, so the microphone plan should match the goal.
Most digital mixers make this planning process much easier. You can build a scene ahead of time, label channels, route audio for recording or broadcast, and set rough EQ, compression, gates, FX, and outputs based on rules of thumb and past experience. The sound check is where those planned settings get fine-tuned.
1. Line Check: “Does everything work and make noise (or not make noise) as expected?”
This is the first hands-on step.
We go through every input one at a time:
- Does the mic turn on?
- Does the cable crackle or buzz?
- Is there hum or feedback?
- Do instruments and playback devices send the correct level?
A solid line check catches most problems before they become show-stoppers.
2. Gain Staging: “Set every signal so it’s clean, strong, and distortion-free.”
Proper gain staging is the foundation of a good mix. Even the best EQ or effects can’t fix bad gain.
And while you can run low gain, it’s extremely helpful to visually see healthy signal levels on the mixer. When meters are active and easy to read, it becomes much simpler to:
- spot clipping
- catch low input problems
- maintain consistency across microphones
- make fast adjustments during the check
Good gain gives you a clear picture of the mix — not just what your ears pick up.
3. System Fine-Tuning: EQ, Compression, Noise Gates & FX
The big-picture setup is already planned — room size, microphone needs, speaker placement, and routing. But every space behaves differently once things are powered on.
The sound check is where we polish everything by adjusting:
- EQ for clarity
- Compression for smooth dynamics
- Noise gates to clean up unwanted stage noise
- Reverb/FX to enhance the mix without overpowering it
Digital mixers make this especially efficient since everything is pre-labeled and partially dialed in. The sound check is the refining stage.
4. Monitor Mixes (If Needed)
Not every event needs monitor speakers.
- Choirs often hear their accompanist naturally.
- Bands, however, rely heavily on monitors to perform confidently.
But there’s a trade-off:
Wedge monitors:
- traditional and familiar
- but add stage noise
- can cause mic bleed
- increase the risk of feedback
In-ear monitors (IEMs):
- give musicians clean, isolated sound
- reduce stage volume
- eliminate feedback from monitors
Whenever possible, wireless IEMs are the cleaner and more controlled option.
5. Balancing the Room
With analog mixers, this typically means running back and forth between the board and various points in the venue unless a second engineer is helping.
With digital mixers, wireless tablet control changes everything. Using an iPad, you can walk the room and adjust the mix so it matches what the audience is actually hearing — one of the biggest advantages of modern sound systems.
6. Final Run-Through: The Reality Check
This is where performers run through a song, a few lines, or a short rehearsal piece.
It’s also the ideal time to use a dB meter.
Your ears adjust to volume quickly, but a meter stays consistent.
This helps make sure:
- people in the back hear clearly
- people in the front aren’t overwhelmed
- the overall volume level stays comfortable and intentional
If you want to understand how distance affects volume and why front-row vs. back-row volume varies, here’s a helpful reference:
👉 https://humeckyaudioandvideo.com/why-speaker-height-matters-more-than-you-think/
In the end…
A sound check is about removing surprises and giving performers and the audience the best possible experience.
It’s planning + testing + refining + verifying — all before the event even begins.
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