Product Description

This engaging book invites readers front-of-house with 74 of the world's top concert engineers. Musicians and aspiring live-sound professionals meet the experts who mix for blockbuster acts - from Cheap Trick to the Dixie Chicks, Barry Manilow to the Sex Pistols, U2 to Tool - and glean invaluable insight into what the pros do, how they do it, what they do it with, and how they got to the top. Readers learn the technical, practical, and political aspects of the job - from customizing mixing approaches and choosing the right equipment to working with artists and other engineers - and enjoy insightful, sometimes bizarre, and always entertaining anecdotes about the climb to the big time. Author Clive Young balances his lively writing style with essential details, including complete gear lists for each featured tour, and informative sidebars that offer specific advice on how to get started and get the gig.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #545929 in Books
• Published on: 2004-05-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

Review
A must-read for any live sound mixer! -- Keith Hatscheck, chairman, Department of Music Management, University of the Pacific; author of

Anyone working in the music business needs to read this book; fans will find these tales accessible, informative, and entertaining. -- David McGee, author of

Crank It Up offers some illuminating insights into how the pros make live shows sound as good as they do. -- Billboard magazine, May 1, 2004

Without question, "Crank It Up" is mandatory reading for anyone who mixes live sound. -- Marvin Welkowitz, professor, live sound reinforcement, New York University.

From the Author
"Crank It Up" is kind of like having a chat in a bar with the world’s top live sound engineers (except you'll have to supply your own beer). Each chapter is an informal master class with master mixers, interviewed while they were on tour with specific big-name acts. You'll discover what gear they used, the ways they applied it, how they handled the biggest names in music, how they got started in the business, and lots more. In total, this book brings together some of the best road stories, tips, advice and insights engineers have told me over the last few years.

Even people who are just fans of the artists won't be disappointed--there's lots of interesting backstage stories, showing what it takes to put on a great show. If you're a fan who’s curious about the world backstage, after reading "Crank It Up," you'll never watch a concert the same way again.

About the Author
Senior Editor at Pro Sound News, and U.S. correspondent for Pro Sound News Europe, Clive Young also hosts the "Road Warriors" panel at the annual Audio Engineering Society convention. He has written for MTV.Com, VH1.Com, MTV To Go magazine, Goldmine, American Songwriter, Gig, Music Business International, Wine Enthusiast, EQ En Español, Backstreets, and many other outlets. He lives in Rockville Centre, NY, with his wife, Michelle.

Customer Reviews

IT CRANKS and IT ROCKS!
This is a great book that goes up to 11. If you're a music fan, and have ever shelled out big bucks for a show at the Garden, this is a valuable insider tool that lets you relive your favorite concert-going experiences, while introduces you to the technical aspects of how and why the show sounded so great.

The chapters about U2 and The Rolling Stones were compelling stories about finding problems from venue to venue on tours and the expert teams who come up with creative solutions that gel with these bands sounds that we've all been enjoying for years.

The audio experts interviewed and depicted in Crank It Up are the unsung heroes of the concert going experience, but Clive Young does in fact sing their praises, and he constructs a tale of intrigue and mystique about an entire profession that deserves to be noticed and recognized. No, I'm not in the business, but it's big business, it's show business, and this book is a wonderful read. I even found myself reading the chapters about the acts that I couldn't care less about (like Kid Rock and Creed), and have found very amusing anecdotes and useful information for when I decide to strap on a bass guitar and hit the road.

Bravo, Mr. Young! I'm looking forward to reading CRANK IT UP FURTHER!

Amazing Book
This is by far my favorite live sound book. I have read it probably 10 times. I noticed a previous review said there are no tips. Not true!!! I apply stuff that I learned here all the time. If you are the type of person that goes to a concert and watches the foh more then the stage this book is for you! I also like that they included input lists for some of the profiled acts!

ShowCo and Clair Brothers Promo Book
Please, Please do NOT buy this book! I bought it just as I was starting my first FOH sound engineering position. Don't be fooled, there are absolutely no tips in this book. It does not in any way help a new or longtime sound guy. The only suggestion in the entire book was that a tube compressor might sound good on drums and I just told you about that. The rest of the book is just promoting ShowCo and Clair Brothers sound companies. Put your money into anything but this. Honestly, this is the first book I have ever thrown away after reading it!!!!!