Full or half voice in a sound check...?

Question:I'm a singer and the audio tech for a gospel group. Not only with this group, but all of my previous associations took the same approach as far as sound checks. They all never wanted to sound check songs at full voice, in order to save themselves for the actual performances. I can see this as far as a vocalist, but the tech in me says, go strong so that I know exactly where to put the levels. Should you do a sound check at full voice or save yourself for later?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I'm a singer and the audio tech for a gospel group. Not only with this group, but all of my previous associations took the same approach as far as sound checks. They all never wanted to sound check songs at full voice, in order to save themselves for the actual performances. I can see this as far as a vocalist, but the tech in me says, go strong so that I know exactly where to put the levels. Should you do a sound check at full voice or save yourself for later?

The mix and levels will change when the hall is filled, so singing at full level for a sound check is pointless... Just go for the best mix, set the sub masters and then adjust the master gains on the first number.

For the sound check, you should just be worried about getting the ring nodes out and the mix right... anything else is done during the concert... you DO have the necessary equipment to equalize the house, I assume because it you aren't doing that first, then you may just as well turn the pots up and let it rip...

Surely a sound check needs to be at the volume etc you wil be using for the performance, otherwise, as you ssay, the levels would b ewrong. When I sound check with my band, that's what I do. hope this helps.

The sound check is so the technician can adjust levels for the performance. If you don't sing full volume, s/he's going to have to adjust it on the fly when you perform.

I would have to venture to say that doing it at 3/4 sound would work out for all involved because you will still have the voice for the performance while also fulfilling the obligation to do a sound check.