Shannon Slaton, a prominent theater sound designer and mixer, joins us this week. We discuss topics like mixing workflow, understanding the dynamics of a show and bringing them to life through the mix, how system design goes hand in hand with the final mix and more.

He has designed tours of Shrek, Hairspray, The Producers, The Full Monty, The Wizard Of Oz, The Drowsy Chaperone, and The Wedding Singer. On Broadway, he has mixed Jersey Boys, The Drowsy Chaperone, Spring Awakening, Fela!, Anything Goes, Legally Blonde and more. He was also the Production Sound for The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway and the US national tour.

Shannon is the author of Mixing a Musical: Broadway Theatrical Sound Techniques. This comprehensive book encompasses every position from shop crew labor to assistant designer to sound board operator and everything in between. Written in a clear and easy to read style, and illustrated with real-world examples of personal experience and professional interviews, Slaton shows you how to mix live theatre shows from the basics of equipment and set ups, using sound levels to creating atmosphere, emotion and tension to ensure a first rate performance every time.


The Signal To Noise podcast series on ProSoundWeb, sponsored by Shure and hosted by Live Sound/PSW technical editor Michael Lawrence and pro audio veterans Kyle Chirnside / Chris Leonard (the hosts utilize Shure SM7B mics for the podcasts).