Mastering Your Transitions

In live music and production, transitions are a vital aspect that is often overlooked. A well-executed transition can make all the difference, whether you’re a musician or a FOH engineer, as it involves smoothly navigating from one point to another. From navigating between different songs, levels, chorus, lead lines, and vocalist to vocalist, acquiring the art of managing and executing transitions is what sets you apart as an excellent and well-rounded engineer.

Here are a few points that I have found helpful when preparing for transitions:

1) Pre-Production:
-Begin by reviewing the run-of-show information. Read through the run sheet and take notes. Where is the artist/speaker taking the audience?
-Ask questions during pre-production meetings to better understand the artist’s goal and what experience they hope to give the audience.

2) Console Layout:
-Plan the layout of the console and inputs based on the run-of-show. Arrange faders and inputs in a way that gives you the best chance of executing transitions smoothly.
-For example: If an MC is coming up on stage between songs, ensure that you can access that fader quickly.

3) Practice:
-Use multitracks or a recent show, or ask your band to practice some of the transitions during rehearsal.
-Visualize different scenarios, such as an artist talking over the top of a song intro or a song with a big ending that leads into a softer moment.

4) Think Experience, Not Just Audio:
Imagine attending the show/service. Pay attention to what you are experiencing. Are the audio transitions consistent with the lighting and video movements?
Don’t just focus on “audio”, rather think about the overall experience.