Interview: Neil Gray
Who have you been touring with?
I’ve been mixing Jane’s Addiction, and I’ve also worked with Jimmie Vaughan, Doyle Bramhall II, Fitz and the Tantrums.
When did you start doing live sound?
About 1998 I started throwing punk rock shows in my friend’s basement and ended up owning a PA, so I wound up running the sound.
What’s your favourite console and why?
Currently it’s the Avid Profile — only because I use it all the time, and it sounds decent.
Favourite microphone?
I am a big fan of the Telefunken mics.
Most memorable gig or career highlight?
Mixing Jane’s Addiction on the Nothing Shocking tour was a real dream gig. I also mix at the Continental Club in South Austin and on any given night we will have some of the best musicians the world has to offer, it’s really amazing!
How has your mixing setup changed in the last 15 years?
Well, I used to mix only analogue with a lot of cool outboard gear, now I pretty much use digital on the road because it’s easy. I keep my files on a USB stick, and all my plug-ins are cut up depending on what I’m mixing.
What game-changing pieces of gear have come out in the last 15 years?
Mixing on digital desks has really saved the FOH/monitor footprint, plus they are sounding better and better. I still use a Portico II Master Buss Processor most of the time for my left and right mix, it sounds amazing and really tightens up the mix with a wide stereo field.
Any tips/words of wisdom for someone starting out?
Don’t give up, if this is what you want to do you’ll have to put up with a lot of intern jobs wrapping cables, putting away mics and stands, or pushing speakers around. Also, pay attention to engineers when they are talking about how they mix and try it out for yourself. Always be willing to learn and don’t think you know it all!
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