A2

Role Overview

The A2 serves as the right hand to the Front of House (FOH) Engineer, helping manage microphones, instruments, and wireless systems as needed. They also play a key role in communication—relaying information between the FOH Engineer, the stage, and other members of the tech team to keep services running smoothly.

During Rehearsal

• Make sure that all vocalists have their mics and in-ears before rehearsal starts. The mic assignments are listed backstage, but they always go left to right from the perspective of the sound board. Eg: the vocalist on the far left of the stage (from the audience perspective) is always Mic 1 and IEM 1.
• Assist with troubleshooting. You're the first responder for faulty cables, dead batteries, in-ear monitor issues, or any other audio problem. Try your best to fix it and communicate the issue and solution with the FOH engineer!
• During the final run through, walk through the lobby to ensure that the mix sounds appropriate in that space.
• Be available to oversee the board if the FOH engineer has to step out. Ride faders, avoid feedback, and stay on your toes until the FOH engineer is ready to jump back in.

On Sunday

• Make sure that all vocalists have their mics and in-ears before sound check starts. The mic assignments are listed backstage, but always go left to right from the perspective of the sound board. Eg: the vocalist on the far left of the stage (from the audience perspective) is always Mic 1 and IEM 1.
• Check that ASL Interpreter's headset.
• Have mics ready for communicators and hosts when they arrive for cue-to-cue. Generally, 8am is when we aim to have those mics ready. Be ready to teach them proper mic technique if necessary.
• Assist with troubleshooting. You're the first responder for faulty cables, dead batteries, in-ear monitor issues, or any other audio problem. Try your best to fix it and communicate the issue and solution with the FOH engineer!
• Be available to oversee the board if the FOH engineer has to step out. Ride faders, avoid feedback, and stay on your toes until the FOH engineer is ready to jump back in.
• Be ready on wireless comms to communicate with the rest of the tech team in case of an issue. The FOH engineer's main job is to mix, and they need both ears to do that! You can wear a headset and monitor communications in case the producer needs to communicate with audio or vice versa.
• Don't be afraid to ask for help! Producers and FOH engineers are always happy to help you fill your role well. Have a question? Faced with a new problem? Ask for help and use it as a learning experience.

Pathway to FOH

For some, serving as an A2 is a stepping stone to serving as a FOH mix engineer. Here are some practical ways to grow in your skillset and move forward in your journey towards FOH.

• Master the skill of staying calm, collected, and focused. Great FOH engineers are able to execute services well, even when things go wrong. Every time there's an issue to solve or a problem to fix, use it as an opportunity to become more cool under pressure.
• Practice proactivity. During services, a FOH engineer always has to think ahead. Practice this skill by familiarizing yourself with the service order, thinking ahead during services, and picturing what steps you would take
• Ask lots of questions! The FOH engineer's main responsibility is executing Sunday morning services with excellence, but they will always be happy to explain what they're working on, what they're listening for, and how they're addressing issues.
• On your own time, listen to a wide range of music genres. Great audio engineers have great critical listening skills, and those are developed through practice.