First person I shake hands with is the sound reinforcement engineer and if we don't know one another already I introduce myself. That makes us real ppl. Now I have a name. Not that he's gonna remember it but thats beside the point. Remember his name, you may need it later. We don't play a sound check tune until Vox-n-Drums get what they need and geetar-n-bass are close enough. He can't read your mind and never assume your monitor is keyed up from the opening band. During the instrument check portion when there is a certain instrument that I need in my monitor doing their thing I stand in front of my mic with my hand over my head with my index finger (just the index finger) pointing up and shaking it back and forth until I get what I need or like I said close enough. Now your off and rolling if you do need a lil mo betta thats when you you say "Hey Chris can get a lil mo whateva" Ppl like hearing their name over a loud speaker. It makes him officially part of what happening and most folks don't realize that he, Chris, is making this manageable. It's a psychological move but it helps, it doesn't hurt. In the end sound guys are a lot like us an most are musicians also. Regardless, its a job that doesn't pay super great, its got fuctup hours and rarely gets the appreciation it deserves. I also tip the sound guy for a job well done. They remember that kinda stuff and it comes full circle. And regardless of how crappy your mix was, at least say thanks.
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