Richard Nicholson: Mastering Live Sound with Sonnox Plug-ins
Richard Nicholson, a seasoned Sound and Systems Engineer based in Liverpool, UK, has spent the past decade perfecting the live sound of bands across various venues. Fresh from a three-year run doing Front of House (FOH) for The Script, Nicholson is back on the road in Europe with Adlib Audio Ltd. We caught up with him to discuss his recent tour with The Script and his innovative use of Sonnox plug-ins.
From Musician to Sound Engineer
Nicholson’s journey into live sound engineering began soon after he finished school at 18, although his involvement in music started much earlier. "I was brought up studying music and playing various instruments, which continued all through school. I met a lot of cool people, joined a couple of bands, had a great time playing gigs, and eventually developed an interest in live sound," he recalls. This passion was further fueled by his association with Adlib Audio, a Liverpool-based company that supplied equipment for school events. "Over a few years, I'd help out where I could (usually just pushing boxes and making tea...), and eventually, I was offered a chance to work for Adlib," Nicholson explains. A decade later, he’s still immersed in the world of live sound, loving every minute of it.
Life on Tour: From The Script to European Gigs
Nicholson recently wrapped up touring with The Script, and he’s currently on a two-month tour across Europe with Adlib, managing a monitor rig. "We started the year off in Europe and UK Arenas, and then shifted over to Australia before coming back to Europe for festival season," Nicholson shares. "We then finished off in the US supporting Train, before getting back to the UK just in time for V Festival at the end of August." His tours with The Script have been dynamic and full of energy, demanding a high level of adaptability and responsiveness from Nicholson behind the console.
Choosing the Avid Profile Console
For his recent shows, Nicholson turned to the Avid Profile console, valuing its ease of use and quick accessibility. "The Profile for me is really easy and quick to use. I come across a lot of people that really can't get familiar with the operation of the board, but I find everything I need on the console is really fast to get to and adjust," he says. The fast-paced, dynamic nature of The Script’s live shows requires Nicholson to stay on his toes, constantly making adjustments. "The Script boys are very dynamic and active in their live shows, so there's always stuff to be getting on with on my end while the lads are playing."
Exploring Sonnox Plug-ins: Reverb and Dynamics
Nicholson’s exploration of Sonnox plug-ins began with a search for a new reverb solution, leading him to the Oxford Reverb. "I had been on the lookout for a new reverb, and the Oxford Reverb was the first Sonnox plug-in I tried out. I got hooked straight away and got it going on all of my vocal inputs," he recalls. Compared to his previous options, Nicholson found that the Oxford Reverb offered more body and warmth, allowing it to blend seamlessly into the mix. "I use the Reverb Mix feature quite a bit to blend between Early Reflections and Tail. For vocals, I'd lean towards the tail side of things, but when I tried it out on my drums I was getting some really cool sounds with the early reflections."
I had been on the lookout for a new reverb, and the Oxford Reverb was the first Sonnox plug-in I tried out. I got hooked straight away and got it going on all of my vocal inputs
Building on his success with the Oxford Reverb, Nicholson turned to the Oxford Dynamics plug-in to tackle the challenges of mixing bass guitar. "I'd been looking at a few different compressors for bass guitar, so thought I'd give it a go. Once I got it dialed in, it totally changed my idea of what I could achieve," he explains. Nicholson found that the Oxford Dynamics allowed him to apply significant compression to the bass guitar without creating unwanted pumping effects in the low end. "Like I said, it just seemed to even everything out, up and down the instrument really well, and the Dynamics keeps everything on an even keel, so I'm able to keep it up in the mix without totally over-powering everything else that's going on."
A Valuable Tool for Live Sound
For Nicholson, Sonnox plug-ins provide a crucial element of control in his live mixes, allowing him to retain the essence of the band’s studio sound while delivering the energy required for live performances. "Sonnox plug-ins have given me a valuable element of control with my live mixes. They allow me to keep elements the band have worked on in the studio, while keeping the energy needed for their live show," he says. As Nicholson looks ahead, he’s eager to explore more Sonnox plug-ins to further enhance his sound engineering toolkit. "From what I've heard, there are a few more plug-ins on offer from Sonnox that I'm sure I'll be able to put to good use. I look forward to working with them."