Audio: Corporate, Conference, Broadcast and Hybrid

Audio: Corporate, Conference, Broadcast and Hybrid

I work as a sound engineer on live, corporate, conference, broadcast and hybrid events. My work is defined by the needs of the show: system setup, show operation, routing for multiple outputs, RF coordination and comms where required.

I’m used to working within established production teams, alongside lighting, video and streaming departments, and taking responsibility for audio delivery through rehearsals and live output.

Corporate and conference audio

  • PA system setup and operation for speech-led events
  • Gain structure and tuning for clarity, consistency and intelligibility
  • Radio mic management (lapel, headset, handheld, spares and swaps)
  • Playback operation for walk-ins, stings, VT audio and awards rolls
  • Working to running orders and cues with stage management and callers

Typical environments include conferences, panels, awards and presentation-led programmes.

Broadcast, studio and recorded environments

  • Programme feeds to vision mixers, recorders and streaming systems
  • Managing separate destinations where required (PA / stream / record / overflow rooms)
  • Mix-minus and return feeds for presenters and contributors
  • Maintaining routing and levels through rehearsals and live output
  • Close coordination with vision and streaming operators

Hybrid and virtual events

  • Managing audio for remote contributors via Teams, Zoom, Webex and similar platforms
  • Separation of in-room and remote audio paths
  • Mix-minuses and return feeds for remote presenters and contributors
  • Handling Q&A, remote playback cues and contributor returns
  • Troubleshooting interface, laptop and platform issues as they arise

RF coordination

RF coordination across live, corporate, broadcast and hybrid events with complex wireless requirements. Work covers pre-event planning, location-specific coordination, site surveys, deployment, monitoring and live RF management.

Pre-event and location-specific coordination

  • Location-specific RF planning based on venue, geography and known spectrum use
  • Review of expected RF density, neighbouring activity and concurrent productions
  • Coordination with venues, production teams and external stakeholders on RF responsibilities
  • Licensing coordination with relevant authorities where required
  • Management of broadcaster RF permits and site-specific RF restrictions
  • Advance planning for guest systems, press microphones, IEMs and late additions
  • Coordination of all RF users across audio, comms, broadcast, OB and venue systems

Site surveys and spectrum scans

  • On-site RF surveys and spectrum scans prior to deployment
  • Identification of interference sources, noise floors and congested frequency ranges
  • Validation of pre-event frequency planning against measured conditions
  • Adjustment of frequency plans based on real-world RF behaviour

Deployment and RF site management

  • Frequency assignment across all wireless systems on site
  • Coordination of antenna placement, distribution and system layouts
  • System labelling and documentation to maintain control across departments
  • RF site management during build, rehearsal and show
  • Management of RF discipline to prevent unauthorised changes or unmanaged systems

Rehearsals and live operation

  • Continuous monitoring of RF performance during rehearsals and live delivery
  • Troubleshooting interference, dropouts and system instability
  • Reassignment and mitigation under live conditions where required
  • Management of late changes including additional microphones, guest systems and handheld swaps
  • Coordination with audio, comms and broadcast teams during live operation

RF coordination is carried through from advance planning to show close, with decisions made around the running order, stage format and operational reality of the event.

Comms technician

I also work as a comms technician where communications need managing as a defined workstream.

  • Setup and operation of wired and wireless comms systems
  • Experienced building and running large Green-GO systems
  • Panel and beltpack configuration, channel logic and user roles
  • Supporting stage management, lighting, audio, video and camera teams
  • Troubleshooting during rehearsals and live delivery
  • Coordinating comms with OB and external suppliers

Typical work

  • Conferences and corporate programmes
  • Awards and presentation-led shows
  • Broadcast and studio environments
  • Hybrid and virtual events
  • Studio livestreams
  • Events with high radio mic counts or complex comms structures

Documentation and handover

Where required, I provide:

  • Audio routing overviews
  • Microphone allocation and channel lists
  • Feed lists for PA, stream, record and overflow spaces
  • EASE acoustic models where useful for system planning and coverage validation
  • RF coordination notes
  • Handover information when working across multiple operators