FOH vs. Monitors

[soundlight]

Since this was a topic of discussion in the Ranking thread, I decided to go ahead and put up a poll for all to respond to. Which do you think is more prestigious or requires the most skill? Post why you chose which, if you feel like it. Pretty straightforward. Generally, does the monitor guy have more prestige than the FOH guy, and why?

[Footer]

....how many times have you hear a band thank the board op SL....

[RelativeMischief]

Prestigious, I'd say FOH. He/She is the person that the audience sees, they're the one who everyone looks to to make it sound good. However, the Monitor Tech, especially at festival gigs rather than touring has the harder job. FOH is actually pretty easy, but it's the Monitor guy who has to put up with Artist attitude and deal with them, as well as deal with speakers pointed at microphones.

[mbenonis]

As far as prestige goes, definitely FOH - it is his/her mix that the audience hears. However, the monitor guy has the short end of the stick in having to deal with the artist and upwards of 8 or 9 mixes. Of course, the worst job is combined FOH/monitors at small shows...been there, done that.

[soundlight]

Amazingly enough, the only guy who was recognized by the artists at the festival that I worked was the monitor engineer!

[wolf825]

FOH is usually more prestigious--the monitor guy is just closer to throw stuff at. :D

I mix either...and I have never had stuff tossed at me...but given a choice of the two I would rather deal with the Band and mix Monitors...

-w

[tenor_singer]

Am I to understand that there are usually two mixers involved with large productions? A FOH mixer and a monitor mixer?

[mbenonis]

Originally Posted by tenor_singer

Am I to understand that there are usually two mixers involved with large productions? A FOH mixer and a monitor mixer?

That is correct - the task is split to make it easier.

[Chris15]

Originally Posted by tenor_singer

Am I to understand that there are usually two mixers involved with large productions? A FOH mixer and a monitor mixer?

And to that end, mixer are generally designed with one or the other purpose in mind. Monitor mixers having more auxiliaries and the like.

[soundman1024]

Originally Posted by Chris15

And to that end, mixer are generally designed with one or the other purpose in mind. Monitor mixers having more auxiliaries and the like.

That was a good point. Generally the monitor guy will have a wedge by their board so that they can listen into the aux sends going out and make changes as needed. Some musicians will point at someone and then point up or down then nod when it is good. Some voice it out while they are doing it. Others just simply give a look to the monitor person and expect the problem to be fixed just based on that look. If anyone is interested on there being different consoles here an example of such, Soundcraft's Series 5 line:
Series 5
Series 5M

Mostly its the nicer lines of consoles that come in multiple flavors.

Myself I think I like FOH more. I just find doing monitors boring. I usually end up sitting there playing a role as a fader-monkey making adjustments when asked. If we had an extra aux at church I would probably get myself a mix going in my wedge to listen to when I am not listening to other auxs.