Sound Insight with Brad Divens posted: 18/07/2019
Like many in the music industry, Front of House Engineer Brad Divens got his start in music at a young age - joining his first band by the age of 15. Over time, his career blossomed to include working with internationally acclaimed artists, such as M tley Cr e, Linkin Park and Cyndi Lauper. Today, he is CEO of FIXINTOGETMIXIN Inc., mixing FOH for major recording stars, such as Enrique Iglesias.
He shares more about his audio career in the latest DPA Sound Insight Q&A, below.
1. How did you get your start in the industry?
It was 1995 and I had just moved to LA to join a band called Back Alley Gators, which had just signed a record deal. After recording the album, the label decided to not put the record out. Fast-forward to a year later and I was offered a tour management job. During the meeting with management, I was asked if I could mix. Without any hesitation, I said yes, I can. The rest is history!
2. Can you talk more about your background and your career, including any notable/favorite projects or awards you have won for your work.
I come from a musical background - I started playing guitar when I was 10 and I was in my first band at age 15. As a musician, I've recorded albums with KIX, Wrathchild America, Souls at Zero and Back Alley Gators. As a FOH engineer, I've worked with Garbage, Bob Seger, HIM, Jane's Addiction, M tley Cr e, Linkin Park and Cyndi Lauper, among others. I am currently working with Enrique Iglesias on his latest tour. I was nominated for Parnelli's FOH Mixer of the Year in 2015 and 2017, and for Tour Link Top Dog FOH Engineer in 2015. I was also inducted into the Maryland Entertainment Hall of Fame in November 2018.
3. What's the biggest project you have worked on in your career?
Well, the biggest project would have to be maintaining my career! I've had the privilege to work with a lot of very talented artists. From Garbage to Bob Seger to Enrique [Iglesias], every project I've worked on is big to me.
4. How long have you been using DPA? When did you first start using DPA and why?
I have used DPA with Enrique [Iglesias] for almost three years. I believe it was around March 2016 when I first tried the 2011C Twin Diaphragm Cardioid Microphone on a snare drum, and it's been there ever since. When I put a DPA microphone on an instrument, I feel that I'm hearing the instrument and not the microphone. It's a true representation of what the source sounds like.
5. What productions or events have you used DPA mics for? What DPA mics do you use?
I use DPA for every show that I mix with Enrique Iglesias. Microphones that I use include the 4018VL Linear Vocal Microphone, 2011C and the 4099 Instrument Microphone.
6. What are some of the challenges of miking for the events you work on? How does using DPA help solve these challenges?
There is a 40-foot thrust extending off Enrique's main stage and also a C-stage, which sits right behind FOH. Enrique spends a lot of time out in front of the PA. The rejection and tightness of the 4018 capsule are a must in this situation - and it never fails, I never have issues with feedback. We also have two back-up vocalists, who are using 4018sright next to the percussion rig - again, the bleed is kept to a minimum. Using the 4018 capsule keeps the vocals present and the mix clean. Pure audio bliss!
7. Tell us about your working style and some technical details about your daily workflow:
My mixing style is very musical - I approach my mix as I would a performance. I want it to be powerful, passionate, emotional and dynamic. I want to take the audience on a musical roller coaster. The first thing I do before starting my line check is to make sure the microphones are exactly where I want them to be. After the system engineer is done, I run some pink noise through the system. Next, I run some live tracks from the show and adjust the system before getting the band up on stage for a sound check. After that, I walk back on stage and check the microphones one more time just to make sure all is good.
8. What future projects do you plan to use DPA mics on? Can you tell me a little bit about them?
All I can say is that I plan to use DPA on everything I do!
9. Where do you see audio for the recording/studio/music industry going in the next five years? Do you see any major trends that will affect how you work in the future?
Technology is constantly changing, and the lines are getting blurred between live and studio; immersive audio will be a big thing in the future. As a FOH engineer and small home studio owner, I have access to some of the same gear that many of the major studios have. Sound systems just keep getting better all the time. There is no reason not to give the audience the best experience possible.
For Divens, the entr into DPA's Master's Club began with the company's Product Expert, Bo Brinck. I am very proud and honored to be a part of the DPA family, he says of the role, which he uses to, help spread the word about the company's great products, which make such a difference out in the field.
Most recent headlines
04/08/2024
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, is excited to announce Santiago Solanas as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO)....
03/06/2024
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, a...
28/04/2024
Mediahaus delivers the first SRT live-streaming sports production over 5G with U...
26/04/2024
Sundance Film Festival CDMX 2024 kicks-off today with screenings in 5 theaters in Mexico City and the opening-night film, FRIDA, directed by Carla Guti rrez...
26/04/2024
[Editor's Note: This interview is part of a larger feature about the women d...
26/04/2024
Once again this year, SGL Carbon opened its doors to interested children and young people. On the occasion of the German Girls and Boys Day, which took place on...
26/04/2024
Orders1 of $5.5 billion; book-to-bill of 1.06x
Revenue of $5.2 billion, up 17%,...
26/04/2024
Five Considerations For Communications Modernization In The 21st Century
In the digital-enabled battlespace, the Joint Force needs to shoot, move and communica...
26/04/2024
CBS Sports has launched Champions League as a new, 24-hour streaming channel that will serve as the year-round destination for nonstop highlights of the UEFA ...
26/04/2024
Despite tough competition in the streaming space, Roku reported solid results in Q1 2024, beating revenue expectations, with total net revenue up 19% YoY to $88...
26/04/2024
LONDON AND TORONTO Pinewood Toronto Studios has appointed Sarah Farrell as general manager of the Studios in downtown Toronto....
26/04/2024
Quantum to Offer Advanced Filesharing Technology and Performance in StorNext and...
26/04/2024
FilmLight Colour Awards welcomes 2024 entries and introduces new Emerging Talen...
26/04/2024
Picture Shop Announces Chris Evans as Head of Unscripted
Brie Clayton April 26, 2024
0 Comments
Picture Shop announced Chris Evans will lead Unscripte...
26/04/2024
Participate in a Survey - The Impact of AI on Media and the Creative Industry
Pascal Wagner April 26, 2024
0 Comments
By participating in this survey,...
26/04/2024
Toy maker Mattel said it is working with Samsung to launch its first free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels later this year....
26/04/2024
Trusted Media Brands (TMB) said it named Marty Moe as president....
26/04/2024
Ron Howard is the director on Jim Henson Idea Man, a documentary that premieres on Disney Plus May 31. Henson of course created Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Big...
26/04/2024
The ice continues to melt under the regional sports network business as the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League have made a long-term deal to broadcast...
26/04/2024
Heading into the upfronts, Warner Bros. Discovery said it launched Olli, a first-party data platform advertiser can use for converged, targeted advertising camp...
26/04/2024
CBS has renewed the drama The Equalizer, which will see season five on in 2024-2025. Queen Latifah stars....
26/04/2024
The CW has entered into an exclusive multiyear broadcast partnership for the Miss USA Pageant and the Miss Teen USA Pageant. The 73rd Miss USA Pageant will air ...
26/04/2024
Fuse Media isn't mincing words in a campaign urging its young viewers to register and participate in the 2024 elections....
26/04/2024
Dead Boy Detectives, a series from Neil Gaiman about a detective agency staffed by ghosts, debuts on Netflix April 25. George Rexstrew and Jayden Revri are in t...
26/04/2024
The Story Collective has gradually repurposed the former Mortlake Brewery to include production offices, workshops and sound stages
By Matthew Corrigan
Publi...
26/04/2024
Perkett joins the company following a 25 year career in product management, product marketing, engineering and user experience (UX) across multiple industries
...
26/04/2024
Teradek, the industry leader in wireless video transmitters and receivers, announced today the launch of new Bolt 6 LT 750 and Bolt 6 Monitor Module 750 RX with...
26/04/2024
NEW YORK Amagi has appointed Richard Perkett chief product officer (CPO)....
26/04/2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has announced the results of the 2024 NAB Radio and Television Board of Directors elections. The...
26/04/2024
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. & NEW YORK Mattel has announced a deal to launch its first three 24/7 free ad supported streaming (FAST) channels on Samsung TV Plus, Samsung...
26/04/2024
PORTLAND, Maine Viewers here can now receive the NextGen TV signals of five local stations with the launch of ATSC 3.0 service from host station WPFO, which is ...
26/04/2024
TORONTO Rogers Communications has signed a 10-year agreement with Comcast to bring the latest Xfinity products and technology to Canadians....
26/04/2024
Calrec is very pleased to announce the benefits of its highly flexible approach to customer service has been recognized with a third award for the Argo range. T...
26/04/2024
New Adobe Photoshop with Advanced Generative Fill and Generate Image Brings New ...
26/04/2024
Trends And Takeaways From NAB Show 2024
Melanie Ciotti April 25, 2024
0 Comments
NAB's Eric Trabb (right) awards SNS with two NAB Show Product of ...
26/04/2024
Sony's Ci Media Cloud Keeps NHRA Moving
Brie Clayton April 25, 2024
0 Comments
Cloud-Based Media Asset Management and Collaboration Platform Accel...
26/04/2024
Capitol Broadcasting & Leadership Triangle Collaborate for Third Year
Capitol B...
26/04/2024
The staff at CBC Radio have been hard at work creating several new features for listeners and viewers. Several debuts are taking place this spring.
I have nev...
26/04/2024
26 Apr 2024
Cricket Finds Its Digital Home in Bangladesh: VEON's Banglalink...
26/04/2024
NBA Playoffs 2024: ESPN Rolls Out Huge Production Operation for Busy First Round Tech deployments include miked on-field personnel, shot-distance tracking, AR g...
26/04/2024
NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: ESPN Ops Team Navigates Both Sides of the Border With ...
26/04/2024
Behind the Scenes at the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit (Photo Gallery) After just the first round, the 2024 NFL Draft has already made quite an impression in Detroi...
26/04/2024
NFL Draft 2024: Van Wagner Powers Onsite Entertainment Experience for Record Cro...
26/04/2024
Rohde & Schwarz presents spectrum dominance in all domains at AOC Europe Rohde & Schwarz demonstrates the next generation of SIGINT/EW systems and sensor fusi...
26/04/2024
MCine Mauritius is to use Qube Wire for all future DCP deliveries across their e...
26/04/2024
Skeem Saam' May Spoiler: Has Lehasa killed Khwezi?The Skeem Saam' May teasers mention Lehasa being apologetic about killing someone. Is it his baby mam...
26/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Thursday's episode, 25 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African s...
26/04/2024
Prison Journalism: Some issues to considerWesley Leong was incarcerated at the age of 15 in 1996 at Pollsmoor Prison. He is currently part of Restore's rese...
26/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: A line is crossed and a mother starts to lose focusDon't miss Friday, 26 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Scandal! o...
Sound Insight with Brad Divens posted: 18/07/2019 
