An avid Metric Halo user, Jakobsen owns a ULN-8 interface and a LIO-8 interface and regularly uses their SpectraFoo sound analysis software to set up shows and to help identify and solve problems while mixing. His interfaces carry Metric Halo's optional +DSP, which allows him to run their powerful plug-ins on critical live channels (including the whole mix!).
"As a FOH engineer, I think it's important to embrace the sonic ideals of the artist," Jakobsen says. "I don't see any point in applying my own favorite flavor if it doesn't appeal to the artist. Along those lines, it's critical to build a relationship of trust so the artist feels I have an understanding and appreciation of what their music should sound like. It was an interesting transition to go from The Raveonettes' minimal, noisy, and reverb-y soundscape to Mew's big sonic universe, with big pounding drums and layers of pads, guitars, and backing vocals."
Although still working with Mew, Jakobsen began touring with Trentem°ller in 2010, which took him to European arenas in support of Depeche Mode, 3,000-seat headlining gigs, and plenty of European festivals. "I'm still fascinated by the way a good mix can lift a music experience (and how a bad mix can ruin a show), and I'm still intrigued by how difficult it is to reinforce audio and to mix," he says. "I like the combination of creativity, technical skills, and science. It's an ongoing learning experience, and that's cool."
Jakobsen seldom has more than a short window to load in, set up, check the PA, and sound check before doors open. One of the first things he addresses is the PA system performance: "The frequency response should be full range and both level and response should be as uniform as possible throughout the audience area.
"I use Metric Halo SpectraFoo sound analysis software on most every gig to analyze and help tune the PA system." He typically sends pink noise to one side of the PA, feeds the same signal to SpectraFoo's Transfer Function source channel, places his Earthworks M30 measuring mic somewhere on-axis, and feeds its output to the Transfer Function response channel. He then time aligns the two signals with SpectraFoo's Delay Finder and takes a snapshot of the response. He repeats this process with the mic at several other locations - a little farther or closer, and on or off axis. He marks the snapshots in SpectraFoo's overlay list and asks it to calculate an average.
"That," he said, "is then my visual reading of the system. I immediately get an idea of the PA at hand and whether it's reasonably linear or not. Sometimes I'll spot an issue even before I listen to music."
Jakobsen described his mix philosophy: "The mix itself must complement the music and should hopefully impress and overwhelm the audience. All of the instruments should be well-defined within the mix. Vocals should almost always be on top of the mix, and lyrics should be audible."
Jakobsen uses his Metric Halo ULN-8 and LIO-8 along with the free Metric Halo MIO Console control software as an audio "multi-tool." MIO Console allows him to route signals and to operate the DSP resources he has installed on the interfaces. With Trentem°ller, he reserves the Metric Halo gear for the tracks that need the most processing: vocals, kick drum and snare drum.
"I'm not aware of any other interface that has the combination of such great-sounding preamps, transparent converters, sublime mix bus processing, and all of the DSP tools necessary: unlimited bands of precise EQs, compression, limiting, delay, and 'character' modeling. At the same time, it gives me a straightforward interface for recording and playback."
(Jim Evans)
