Monitor Engineer

What Is a Monitor Engineer?

A monitor engineer is the person who controls the sound that performers hear on stage. They mix the monitors so each musician can hear what they need. This is different from the Front of House engineer who mixes for the audience.

What Does a Monitor Engineer Do?

A monitor engineer controls what performers hear on stage. They work with the band to adjust the stage monitor mix to their preferences.

They set up monitor wedges or in-ear monitors. These are speakers that point at the performers.

Monitor engineers work closely with the band.

During soundcheck, they ask each performer what they want. They adjust the mix until the performer is happy.

During the show, they watch the band. If a performer signals they cannot hear something, they adjust the mix.

Why Monitor Engineers Matter

Monitor engineers are crucial to a good show.

Sound on the stage is completely different from the sound that the audience hears.

The main speakers that face the audience are in front of the stage to avoid feedback issues with microphones on stage. Proximity to amplifiers and the drumset on stage has a big impact on what performers can and cannot hear.

To help performers hear what they need to hear, there are speakers on stage called monitors that can each have their own individual mix.

In-ear monitors can also be used. They can be helpful for performers who move around a lot on big stages. Some performers prefer them in all scenarios.

If performers cannot hear what they need to hear, they cannot perform well.

A good monitor mix helps performers feel confident. They can hear what they are doing. They can stay in time with each other.

Monitors vs. Front of House

There are two main sound systems at a show.

The Front of House system is for the audience. The FOH engineer sits in the audience area. They mix the music so it sounds good to everyone watching.

The monitor system is for the performers. The monitor engineer sits on or near the stage. They mix the music so each performer can hear themselves.

Different things matter for each system. What sounds good in the room may not sound good on stage. What sounds good to one performer may not sound good to another.