The Top 7 Skills Every Playback Engineer Must Master

In this episode of "Behind the Spacebar," Will discusses the essential skills needed to become a successful playback engineer. He emphasizes the importance of service, the ability to say "yes" instead of "no," effective file management, quick edits, working quickly, handling multiple tasks, and staying calm under pressure.
Key Takeaways:
-Playback engineering is all about service and making the artist or band feel comfortable.
-Saying "yes" instead of "no" is crucial for success as a playback engineer.
-Effective file management is essential for quick access to files and backups.
-The ability to make quick edits and work quickly is important in a live performance setting.
-Playback engineers must be able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
-Staying calm under pressure is crucial for troubleshooting and maintaining professionalism.
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00:00 - Introduction to the podcast and topic of playback engineering
02:36 - Skill #1: Being a playback tech is all about service
04:39 - Skill #2: "No" isn't an answer, strive to say "yes"
06:14 - Skill #3: File management is crucial for success
08:00 - Skill #4: Ability to make quick edits and work quickly
08:30 - Skill #5: Ability to work quickly
08:52 - Skill #6: Handle Multiple Tasks
09:38 - Skill #7: Stay calm, especially when things go wrong
11:34 - Essential skills for a playback engineer
12:05 - Asking for audience input on important skills
12:45 - Invitation to join a top-secret project
12:45 - Conclusion and farewell
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[@swshr]

What's good Will! My name's Wyatt, and I've been honing my playback skills since the start of the year. I'd say most of your tenants touch on this, but preparedness has been my biggest key. The dummy checks have saved me countless times. Thanks for all you do!

[@fromstudiotostage]

Welcome Wyatt! Thanks for watching!

[@Cyberhunger]

Hi from Indonesia! Through years of experience of being a playback engineer, staying calm is THE KEY! Great video!

[@fromstudiotostage]

So true! Thanks for watching!

[@Aletheia_Z]

"Spacebar Techs" are known by 😅
On a serious note, I agree with your points here and think all these are essential for any entertainment tech nowadays with tight deadlines, difficult artists and harsh competition

[@vincent-in-berlin]

Great points Will 😊. I would add a big one for most crew. Take responsibility for your equipment. Especially in adverse weather conditions. Don’t rely on a random stage hand to weatherproof your kit. Be prepared for too much heat or too much rain. Space blankets, plastic sheeting, tents, fans all need to be ready. One drop of rain can take out a laptop and too much heat will stop everything. UPS on rig can also help one sleep at night.

[@fromstudiotostage]

Great tip!

[@GilmanGuitar]

Hey Will! My name is Brendan, and your videos have been a source of great guidance in my Ableton journey! I have a question for you, and maybe you’ve already made a video for it and I haven’t seen it. I’m curious about situations like Sunday mornings when songs are always being swapped in and out. What is your method of having a master Ableton file so you aren’t repeatedly building tracks for songs you play often?

[@amywoodall9662]

Hey Will, I know you have made a video about saving files but could you speak more about backing up files and the best way to save multiple versions one songs, like you say, different keys ect! thank you

[@benkitay9015]

I’m Ben. Ableton is one of the instruments I play on stage. And your work has been so helpful. Thank you.

[@fromstudiotostage]

what's up Ben! Thanks for hanging out.

[@ChristLenvoka]

Man I lost it last sunday, thanks for the reminder

[@fromstudiotostage]

easy to do that when things go wrong

[@matiasmolina2011]

Hi. From Argentina!!

[@fromstudiotostage]

welcome!

[@BounceWrizer-qr2zt]

bounce wrizer or gift from tanzania love broo

[@fromstudiotostage]

Welcome! Thanks for watching!