You step into the pressure cooker of elite live sound, where Robert Scovill shows you why chaos is often the best teacher. From mixing Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions with zero margin for error to handling full-band changeovers on the fly, you learn that perfection is worth chasing but dangerous to demand. You hear why live mixing beats the studio for him. It is about capturing ensemble moments, not polishing parts. Even when the doubt creeps in before showtime, the lights come up, the band hits, and the moment reminds you why you do this. This is the mindset of Always Be Performing.
You also get practical, battle-tested tactics for surviving high-stakes gigs. Learn how to study a...
You step into the pressure cooker of elite live sound, where Robert Scovill shows you why chaos is often the best teacher. From mixing Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions with zero margin for error to handling full-band changeovers on the fly, you learn that perfection is worth chasing but dangerous to demand. You hear why live mixing beats the studio for him. It is about capturing ensemble moments, not polishing parts. Even when the doubt creeps in before showtime, the lights come up, the band hits, and the moment reminds you why you do this. This is the mindset of Always Be Performing.
You also get practical, battle-tested tactics for surviving high-stakes gigs. Learn how to study a band fast, who sings, who solos, and when, using recordings and YouTube as prep tools. You hear what it takes to mix legendary harmony vocals, why artists like Def Leppard insist on singing live, and how those expectations shape your approach.
Then it gets nerdy in the best way, with the evolution of De-Feedback, real-world use at the Rock Hall, and how tools like reverse impulse responses can clean up wedges, vocals, and even IEMs. The takeaway is clear. Preparation, adaptability, and relentless curiosity are what keep you in the game.
- 00:00:00 Gig Gab 515 – Monday, January 5th, 2026
- January 12th: National Day of Dialogue
- Guest co-host: Robert Scovill
- 00:01:25 Mixing Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- 10+ Acts… with full changeovers
- Trial by fire, with no time!
- 00:07:27 The enjoyment of the pressure of mixing live
- Perfection is a great thing to strive for, a terrible thing to achieve
- 00:09:00 Giving up on the studio in favor of live
- Way more interested in recording ensemble moments
- 00:10:10 Started in live sound in the 1970s
- Started with Shooting Star
- 00:12:04 Full circle moments at Rock Hall
- Mixing the Joe Cocker induction with Tedeschi Trucks
- Mixing Peter Frampton…a throwback moment
- 00:17:34 That thought creeps in: “I don’t know if I can keep doing this”
- And then the show happens…with all of its moments!
- 00:22:34 Learning a band quickly
- Who’s singing? When?
- Who plays the guitar solos (and when)?
- Give them a recording in advance
- Find them on YouTube
- 00:25:53 Dolly Parton and Rob Halford sing Jolene
- 00:28:23 Mixing Def Leppard harmony vocals
- Def Leppard is a great example: they wanted to sing live
- They worked hard to deliver what they expected (and what people expected)
- 00:34:50 Mixing Prince at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- 00:38:20 Always Be Recording…and here’s why: Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks
- And a new ProTools feature was born: VENUE Link
- 00:43:04 Alpha Labs De-Feedback
- Started as an aside in Scovill’s Back Lounge
- Neve 5045 Primary Source Expander
- Waves PSE Plugin
- De-Feedback does reverse impulse responses
- 00:48:42 De-Feedback started to “make churches sound better”
- 00:57:28 De-Feedback at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Elton John (because of his loud monitor wedges)
- Cyndi Lauper
- 01:02:02 Comparing De-Feedback to a Neve 5045
- 01:10:19 A live De-Feedback demo and some nerdy details!
- 01:26:24 Fixing IEMs with De-Feedback
- Think about eliminating drum bleed from vocal mics, for one.
- 01:28:47 Gig Gab 515 Outtro
- Follow Robert Scovill
- On Facebook
- On Instagram
- On LinkedIn
- RobertScovill.com (where you’ll find The Back Lounge)
- Contact Gig Gab!
- @GigGabPodcast on Instagram
- feedback@giggabpodcast.com
- Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List
The post Mixing Legends Live: Robert Scovill at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — Gig Gab 515 appeared first on Gig Gab.
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