How to Mic a Panel Discussion | Filming a Live Event

Need to record sound for a live panel event? Don't want to buy a whole bunch of new gear? This video is for you! In this episode of Sound 101 Andrew talks us through some strategies for how to get great live sound at a panel discussion using your sound gear. And we are mainly going to approach the top of sound for video as this is all about audio for live streams that are meant for a PA system. The real secret is we show you how to use an automixer much like Dugan Automixer/ Dugan Automix Live. This feature is found on the Zoom F8 under AutoMix and the MixPre3 Mixassist.

Many people wonder how to mic a panel discussion without using high end live sound equipment. This episode shows you not only how you can be using your sound gear for live events but also how to perform mic checks, where to set up your gear, how to mic an audience and how to get PA systems to work for you.

If you have any questions about running live sound for your event, be sure to leave them in a comment below!

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Summary:
Deity Microphones produces weekly digital web content to help filmmakers and sound mixers grow in their education. Deity Microphones shares this free web series in hopes that the next generation of filmmakers grows in their video production quality and changes the world.

Deity Microphones produces free educational web content to help filmmakers, vloggers, sound mixers and sound designers grow as creatives and take their production quality (be it independent, TV, or studio) to the next level. Deity Microphones believes that budget should never be a constraint to creativity.

[DeityMicrophones]

What's your tip for running live event audio?

[curtisjudd]

Thanks for this Andrew - lots of good lessons here learned from experience. One other little tip - can be helpful to label your equipment. A lot of times I find things can get mixed up on set and it is much easier to sort things out at load-out if your stuff is clearly labeled.

[soundguyjimmy]

“ Do you really want to sit there for 2 hours moving the faders up and down?”
YES! I’m a professional sound mixer, that’s what I get paid for, to pay attention and anticipate who will be speaking or interjecting at any given moment during the live etc.
I can only assume that the pay rate wasn’t very good hence the F8 and Fender PA
I love your channel and your content but please understand that you are an influencer and have the ability to shape the attitude and work ethic of many new sound mixers. It would have been comforting to hear you state that this particular project had the constraints of a tight budget and this was the only viable solution to accommodate the amount of panelist and size of the audience.
It takes time, effort, knowledge and experience to become a professional sound mixer. Using an “auto mix” feature on a device is convenient for a seasoned professional because if the device fails to work correctly it can be disengaged and the sound mixer can put down their smart phone and take over. An unexperienced sound mixer would most likely get the flop sweats and would not know how to recover. Please keep the passion for sound alive and do your absolute best on every project no matter how big or small the pay rate may be.✌️❤️🎧

[JoeatAlphaCreative]

Great topic. This goes overlooked so often.

[TheLikeys]

I love those Sound 101 episodes.. So many interesting subjects to talk about.. thanks for the great work💪

[LatinoHollywoodConection]

Love the presentation! Professional, knowledgeable, practical, engaging and even fun. Thanks and keep up the good work! Sending love from L.A.!

[christianhotter]

Awesome! You answered my question from one of your other videos! This is not an area you want to use trial and error.

[gillesmatheronpro]

You have to like it when the video screams "experience" such as this one. Thank you for this content... filming was a brillant idea !

[mrheng]

Thanks for the video Andrew. I learned more about the F8, but still fantasizing about the F6. :)

[justynakurbiel]

This is incredible! Very thorough and professional. Thank you :)

[bofferbrown]

Great video thanks. My question is how do you avoid feedback if you are doing a Q&A and have a mic in the audience? Thanks!

[BenjiDWJ]

An awesome video as per usual your content is always super engaging, fun, interesting & insightful. 😁 👌

As an Events Management university graduate, I found this video particularly cool & interesting as I've watched a number of live events over the years i.e. panels for upcoming comic books, film, video games & TV releases etc.

Cheers, Andrew! 🍻

[Jens_Frislev]

Thanks super cool. I love that kind of videos with tips and tricks. Hope you will make a video where you show a audio setup on a movie production with your Zoom F8. How the Soundmixer can communicate with the boom operator

[Just_Samson]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 so much value. Keep’m coming. 😉

[bicraven]

Nicely done! Please do a very complete video on your pro lavs comparing and showing against some industry standard lavs like Sanken, dpa, and countryman.

Thanks!!
Stu Schnurman

[BasicFilmmaker]

Question: Being a former musician (wayyy last century 😀) I was told sound checks require you to set the volume output of the speakers LOUDER than you would think, as when all those bodies show up they will suck up the sound and it won't be loud enough. Is this true? Thanks!

[svenlakemeier]

Wait, did you say 500 people in the opener? I would highly recommend having someone specialized in live sound for that size.

[protoman]

good tip on the ambience mics. thanks m8

[clarkeemalarkee]

Woooo! Cool to see a set up tutorial for an event I attended. 😂😂

[DavidEsp]

My experience of pack-up at the end of an event: Don't let just anyone help! (unless Security are about to throw you out!). Well-intentioned but untrained helpers damage kit. They drop and knock stuff. If something doesn't budge, they force it. Zipper handles get torn off. Plus, if you didn't do it all yourself, you can't be sure they packed everything, or of they mistakenly packed venue-owned items. Really good to have a helper eg to watch over while you disappear off anywhere. Once I returned to find a (different) Security guy playing with my locked-off tripod camera like a machine gun (forcing against the brakes). Beneath the thin veneer of adulthood...