Step inside Sphere with Robert Scovill as he rejoins Dave on Gig Gab to dissect the art—and science—of immersive live sound. From his early days quad-mixing Rush to commanding 32 channels through Avid’s S6L with Meyer’s Spacemap Go, Scovill walks you through prepping for Sphere with simulators, Holoplot mapping, and object-based mixing. You’ll hear how rethinking coverage in a globe-shaped venue flips everything you knew about arrival times and sound dispersion.

Scovill dives into the no-amp, all-IEM setup with drums in a fishbowl and shares how moving instruments around the room becomes part of the performance. He emphasizes the mission: the audience must feel the music, not just hear it. With insights learned from watching Bon Iver and perspectives on Phish, Chesney, and Dead & Co., this episode is a masterclass in next-gen sound. No matter the tech, remember: Always Be Performing.

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Buddy Gibbons returns to Gig Gab to share how he’s gearing up for a nostalgia-fueled tour with Stephen Glickman and the Big Time Rush fanbase. From rollerblading around Wembley to off-road RC cars for downtime, Buddy’s prepping body and mind for the grind. He and Dave dig into how playing without a click can feel naked, why RokTempo and Russian Dragon are essential tools, and how the right gear—like the Porter & Davies BC2 throne—can make your kick and toms feel right. It’s all about showing up tight, calm, and pro-ready.

If you’re into tech and tone, this episode’s your playground. Buddy walks through his road rig: Roland SPD-SX Pro, Ableton Live, internal drum mounts, and the timeless Slingerland Radio King snare. He also weighs in on using AR glasses like XREAL AIR on the road, and shares what it’s like losing a loop mid-set on In The Air Tonight. It all comes down to trust—between you, your bandmates, and your gear. So pack your comforts, tune your kit, and Always Be Performing.

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This week on Gig Gab, you’re diving deep with Mike Schulte of The Pork Tornadoes as he joins Dave Hamilton to share real-world insights on making your gigs—and your band—better. You’ll get actionable tips on using splitter snakes without frying your gear, plus a no-nonsense breakdown of how standing (or not) while singing can shape your stage presence. Mike and Dave even toss in their take on Chino Moreno and Jon Anderson’s contrasting styles. Spoiler alert: stress-free gigs start with smart planning and solid gear choices.

But the real gold? The grind. You’ll learn how Mike’s band leveled up by building superfans one at a time, saying no to the wrong bandmates, and turning every show into an unmissable event. It’s not about overnight success—it’s about showing up relentlessly, setting reachable goals, and knowing when to pull back in saturated markets. Whether you’re running the engine or riding shotgun, remember: Always Be Performing.

The post The Pork Tornadoes Playbook: Mike Schulte on Building a Successful Band — Gig Gab 483 appeared first on Gig Gab.

GigSalad’s Mark Steiner joins this week’s Gig Gab to trace his wild ride from stage actor to CEO, revealing how a children’s theater gig and a teddy bear business ultimately led to launching the go-to platform for booking live talent. You’ll hear how a “happy accident” turned into a company that helps 110,000+ performers get paid. From the Glenn Miller Orchestra to building Steiner Talent to launching GigSalad in a kitchen in 2004, Mark shares the gritty path of growth—connecting the dots in reverse, just like Steve Jobs said.

You’ll walk away with real-world tips to boost your band’s visibility: polish your promo kit, prioritize quality over quantity, and treat GigSalad like your own personal booking agent—with built-in SEO and coaching tools. Whether you’re gigging every weekend or dreaming bigger, there’s room for you. Because at the end of the day, the mission is simple: help you do what you love. And remember—Always Be Performing.

The post The DIY Booking Revolution: GigSalad’s Impact on Musicians – Gig Gab 482 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You’re about to get the roadmap from Luke and Will Mallett of The Mallett Brothers on what it really takes to make music a career. From playing 120 shows a year to building a loyal tribe of 2,000 superfans, the brothers break down how live gigs aren’t just part of the job—they are the job. You’ll hear how they’ve learned to follow the seasons, balance home life with relentless touring, and why collaborating with venues (and yes, printing real posters) still matters. The promo game keeps shifting—from glossy photos to viral reels—and these guys are always adapting to stay in the mix.

But don’t let the laid-back Maine vibe fool you—this is a music business. From slinging hats and 8-tracks to tracking ad spend and working their booking agent to tighten tour routes, the Malletts share the systems that keep them thriving. Growing up helping their folk-singer dad send out his mailing list taught them early that endurance matters more than luck. Whether you’re booking your own gigs or building a fan group online, your success hinges on one thing: Always Be Performing.

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If your band’s live setup feels more like organized chaos than controlled power, this episode’s for you. We’re diving into real-world band hacks that actually make a difference—from tightening up your IEM mixes with split snakes, to using a click track to start songs like a pro. You’ll also hear why phantom power isn’t the villain it’s made out to be, and how to get serious clarity from your kick drum without blowing the budget. Whether you’re rocking a basement bar or a big stage, this gear and workflow talk will level you up.

But it’s not just about sound—it’s about syncing your whole band’s flow. We cover practical tools like Google Calendar and BandHelper that take the headache out of scheduling rehearsals and gigs. Plus, you’ll get lessons learned from the madness of SXSW soundchecks, hydration tips for high-output sets, and a smart discussion about finding sponsors that actually fit your audience. As always, it’s about one thing: helping you Always Be Performing.

The post Real-World Band Hacks: IEM Mixes, Click Track Starts, and Calendar Control – Gig Gab 480 appeared first on Gig Gab.

What’s it like going from drum tech to mixing stadium shows for legends? In this week’s Gig Gab, you join Scottie Baldwin and Dave Hamilton as they dive into the artistry behind live sound. From getting the call from Prince’s drummer to Sheila E nudging him toward sound, Scottie shares tricks like frequency gating and translating wild artist requests—think Gaga’s “lavender knife”—into killer mixes. You’ll get insight into how musicality trumps technicality, why mixing is more like managing real estate, and how to blend audience energy with screen-streaming perfection. Always Be Performing isn’t just a catchphrase—it’s a mindset Scottie lives onstage and behind the board.

You’ll walk away with tactical takeaways: define your audience avatar, teach your engineer with clarity, and keep a Dropbox of reference tracks. Whether you’re prepping a show for JJ Lin in Asia or working FOH like Scottie did for Prince, this episode is packed with practical wisdom. Learn why adding song titles to count-offs matters, why great gear relationships matter even more, and how timecode and iPads are redefining tour precision. There’s even a sharp take on Phish’s mixes and the culture gap in musicianship. Get in, geek out, and level up your live game.

The post From Prince to Gaga to JJ Lin: Scottie Baldwin’s Audio Adventures — Gig Gab 479 appeared first on Gig Gab.

This week on Gig Gab, you’re in for a deep dive into the gigging grind with guest co-host Derek Patten from ECE, EastCoast Entertainment. You’ll learn exactly what makes a band bookable—from tight chops to killer promo, a sharp social presence, and professional polish. If you’re not posting on Instagram, you’re not even in the conversation. Whether your band’s been around for five years or five weeks, it’s all about how well you play, how tight you are, and how you present yourself. And yes, clients hear with their eyes first—so get those videos dialed in and wardrobes on point.

Derek pulls back the curtain on managing 7,000 gigs a year, choosing the right acts for the right events, and what separates the pros from the posers. Spoiler: the best bands stick together, manage their own schedules, and bring something real to the stage. Authenticity and consistency win. Want more gigs? Know your brand, know your strengths, and build from there. Whether it’s Eighties Night or bluegrass bliss, if you’re creating unforgettable moments, you’re doing it right. Always Be Performing.

The post Is Your Band Bookable? ECE’s Checklist for Success — Gig Gab 478 appeared first on Gig Gab.

Monique Powell of Save Ferris joins you for a no-holds-barred dive into the grind, grit, and glory behind making a band thrive. From opera training to ska dreams, Monique shares how preparation and passion powered her transformation from “Mo Sing Song” to full-on band manager (and back again…and forth again). You’ll hear how she navigated shifting to external management, dealt with label fallout, and used setbacks as fuel—because when the machine breaks, you fix it or build your own. Her fight to save her voice wasn’t just personal—it became a mission driven by fans who refused to let go.

This episode’s packed with real talk on defining success, the chaos of tour-routing post-COVID, and the rollercoaster of fan engagement. Monique lays it all out: if you want to be in a successful band, be ready to sweat every detail—gear, gigs, and gut decisions. Whether it’s dodging in-ear disasters or facing your fears head-on, Monique reminds you that showing up matters most. So, lace up, lean in, and remember: Always Be Performing.

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This week, you’ll dive headfirst into the wild ride of Joe Travers’ drumming journey—from pounding out St. Patrick’s Day gigs to landing his dream job playing Zappa’s music. Joe shares how knowing exactly what you want—and fearlessly putting yourself out there—can open doors you never imagined. You’ll hear what it’s like grooving through complex Zappa parts, blending genres, and finding your own voice behind the kit because, after all, your playing is your voice.

Joe keeps you in the pocket with tales of meeting heroes, becoming Zappa’s Vaultmeister, and holding it down with Duran Duran in massive arenas. You’ll get pro-level tips on clicks, IEM mixes, and why singing drummers need to dial it in just right. Plus, a rare glimpse at what it means to play for the music—and why sometimes, staying off social media is the smartest gig move. Stick around, because there’s only one way to approach this business: Always Be Performing.

The post The Vaultmeister’s Voice: Joe Travers on Zappa, Duran Duran, and the Power of Performance — Gig Gab 476 appeared first on Gig Gab.