Pop Shield

It’s the day after Mudstock.

Today I’ve been busy with a hugely popular American country band with MASSIVE beards playing proper country music, fiddles an’ all. Cue an organised crew, a massive entourage, lots of pickups, and lots of pithy rock names like Hep and Zap and Chet. Super polite guys.

Despite having had several technical discussions by email beforehand, despite introducing myself as the engineer, and despite setting up all the microphones myself, it takes a while for the penny to drop that I might be mixing the session. Once we have that established, we are talking lo-pass filters and headphone drivers in no time at all.

During the set-up, just as I’m scrabbling around on the floor checking DI pads, the drummer comes up to me. He has a long ponytail. He looks a little apprehensive. “Excuse me, but please could I ask you a question?” I leap to my feet. “Yes of course, hi I’m Pop, how can I help?” I’m expecting a question like “do you have another mic for my cabasa?” or “when will this session air?” or “where is the rest room?” But no. Here is what he asks: “Would you happen to have ANY idea what day of the week it is?” I smile. “Certainly, sir. It’s Monday.”

I wonder if that’s it? Yes. Oh no, there’s a follow-up. “Ah, well, the thing is, you see I’ve got a little problem… On the way back from Murdstaaaark we stopped off at this place, er, Stone-enge and I put my phone down in the grass and I lost it (fishes in pocket and waves a business card) and I asked some guy and he said if I call this number then these people might be able to help find it…” I smile again. “Oh dear. Sure. Let me pass you over to Mark, I’m sure he’ll help you make the call. Is that ok Mark? There’s a phone right there.”

Now, where was I? When I got this job, I was told it was 50% technical, 50% other skills. That’s crazy, I thought. Surely being a sound engineer is 90% technical. Once in a blue moon, maybe. But most days are like today, when I feel like an all-rounder.