Hello!

Hello!

My name is Michael Lawrence. I am a live sound engineer who specializes in designing and tuning sound systems to create consistent coverage throughout the audience. I have designed and tuned systems for Volbeat, Ghost, Metallica, Danny Elfman, Miguel, NPR, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and many more.  I’ve published over 50 technical articles on the topic, many of which originated here on this blog. I’ve also released a book on the topic which you can learn about and order by clicking here.

I am also a Senior Instructor with Rational Acoustics, developers of industry-leading sound system analysis platform Smaart, and have published research on sound level measurement and sound exposure at live events. I have presented this work for NAMM, the Audio Engineering Society and the Event Safety Summit, and received the 2022 Safe In Sound Award for Innovation in Hearing Loss Prevention for my work with Rational Acoustics’ Smaart SPL platform.

Recent Systems Work

Danny Elfman | Systems Engineer (Coachella 2022)

Ghost / Volbeat / Twin Temple | Systems Engineer (Winter 2022 US Arena Tour)

Ghost / Mastodon / Spiritbox | Systems Engineer (Fall 2022 US Arena Tour)

Metallica – Highmarket Stadium – Buffallo NY (Meyer Sound)

Miguel | FOH / Systems Engineer

Saratoga Performing Arts Center | System Design & Alignment (Saratoga Springs NY)

SAHARA THEATER at Sahara Hotel & Casino | System Design & Alignment (Las Vegas NV)

NPR WBUR FM | System Alignment (Boston MA)

Blue Cross Arena | System Alignment (Rochester NY)

Hamilton College – Wellin Hall Theater | System Design & Alignment (Clinton, NY)

Bethel Atlanta Church | System Design & Alignment (Tyrone GA)

Sound Level Research + Information

Understanding and Managing Sound Exposure and Noise Pollution at Outdoor Events [PDF]

Sound Level Monitoring at Live Events – Part 1 – Live Dynamic Range [AES]

Part 2 – Regulations, Practices and Preferences [AES]

Part 3 – Improved Tools and Procedures [AES]

Education and Certification in Sound Pressure Level Measurement, Monitoring and Management at Entertainment Events [AES]

Appearance on Talking Ears Podcast – Concert Sound Exposure

Rational Acoustics SPL Measurement Guide

Staying Safe While Getting Loud – SPL, Sound Exposure and Loudness Perception in Concert Sound (2020 Event Safety Summit Presentation) [YouTube]

Other Items of Interest

Signal to Noise Podcast – Creator / Cohost – Discord Server

ProSoundWeb Author Archive

Live Sound International (Technical Editor)

ProSoundWeb.com (Technical Editor)

Church Sound Magazine (Technical Editor)

The Audio Expert by Ethan Winer (Technical Editor)

Introduction to Show Networking by John Huntington (Copy Editor)