Sound Technicians
Job description
Closing date - 17 April 2023
Salary - £28,000 per annum
Sound Technicians Job Pack - download here
Factory International has large, flexible performance spaces that can be configured in a number of ways including a 64m long, 33m wide Warehouse space or a 1600 seat Hall with a 22m wide, 11m high proscenium arch leading to a 33m deep stage, and everything in between. Our artists stretch the ambition further, reaching into every part of the building and the surrounding grounds. Our expert technical teams deliver the physical elements of all shows, artworks and events, working closely with the Programming and Producing teams to realise innovative ideas and making sure they are created in a safe, sustainable and exciting way. Our Sound team will use state-of-the-art equipment from Digico, d&b, Allen & Heath, Martin Audio, Q-Sys, Audinate, QLab, and Shure to help them deliver projects to the highest standard.
We are looking for expertise from all artforms; live music, visual and performing arts, theatre, corporate events and beyond. The Sound Technician will support the Heads of Department and other Factory International teams to ensure that all of our spaces, events and shows are delivered to an exceptional standard and accessible to everyone.
We’re looking for people who are good communicators, enthusiastic, and who want to be part of something new and unique. Factory International is a place to be proud of your background, your experience and your expertise, while also providing the opportunity to learn and develop new skills.
Responsibilities for this Technician role are;
- Support the department heads in the operation and deployment of all aspects of Factory International’s technical equipment with particular emphasis on sound
- Become familiar with the venue’s technical equipment and infrastructure including sound systems, consoles and control network. Preparation of sound equipment, and/or venue spaces in readiness for event load-ins. De-prepping equipment as required and ensuring items are stored safely and securely
- Reporting faults or issues on sound equipment and sound control systems in a timely manner to department heads or technical manager and carrying out first line maintenance when appropriate
- To participate in the organisation and supervision of the get ins, rehearsals, show runs, and get outs. Helping to plan appropriate staffing levels and apportioning equipment for the department, and ensuring that this is carried out in accordance with current Health & Safety legislation and Environmental Good Practice. Liaise with department heads, sound designers and other technical teams to help assess the feasibility and cost implications of sound designs and deployment in relation to productions and events
- Co-ordinating and working with discipline specific team members and freelance staff in the delivery of production sound for concerts, artworks, shows and events within the building. Assisting in the rigging and operation of fixtures in the various venue spaces and to programme and operate sound consoles as required. Where required, assist in sound design for in-house productions and events or act as an associate for our touring work. This extends to programming and operating
- Attend production meetings, rehearsals and technical rehearsals as required. Liaise with visiting technical departments, ensuring their requirements are met and they are compliant with Factory policies. Working with team members to identify, develop and promote production related income streams and to maximise return on the commercial contract
- Working on a rota system which will require some evening, overnight and weekend working. Lead shifts when required in the absence of a Technical Duty Manager. Provide advice to all other users of the venue with regard to the safe and proper use of venue sound equipment. Deliver all aspects of the venue’s sound systems to the highest standard
- In conjunction with other technical team members, plan and deliver an effective programme of maintenance (inc. Planned Preventative Maintenance), housekeeping, stock control and testing for all appliances and sound related equipment in the building
The person specification for this Technician role include;
ESSENTIAL
- Extensive practical audio experience in one or more art form (live music, theatre, performance art, etc), preferably in a producing environment
- Experience of concert and/or theatre sound equipment and setups, system tuning, and audio mixing approaches for different art forms
- Thorough knowledge of d&b audiotechnik PA systems, PA rigging practices, signal processing and Dante networking
- Experience with setup and operation of Digico and Allen & Heath consoles
- Working knowledge of QLab programming and operation
- Experience of supervising staff with demonstrable leadership and supervisory skills
- Ability to work well under pressure and to prioritise competing workload demands
- Experience of receiving or delivering large scale national and international touring productions
- Knowledge of technical drawing programs including AutoCAD or Vectorworks. Ability to interpret information from tech riders, stage plans and show advance documents.
- Knowledge of the principles relating to the safe use of electricity, and an ability to apply this knowledge in practical situations typically required in an entertainment environment
- Experience in audio system planning and deployment (both large and small scale), stage plans, playback systems, stage patching, show relay systems, temporary electrical installations, portable appliance testing.
- Experience of Health & Safety practice and procedures including Risk Assessments
DESIRABLE
- Experience of mixing FOH and/or mons (wedges and/or IEMS) for live music artists across various genres
- Experience with d&b R1, ArrayCalc and Smaart
- Experience with RF coordination and deployment of Shure Axient and Sennheiser RF systems
- Practical experience with Clear-Com wireless comms systems
- Working knowledge of d&b Soundscape, En-Space and En-Scene
- A practical knowledge of LOLER, PUWER and other relevant Health and Safety regulations working within a large receiving venue
- Relevant training & certification incl IPAF, PASMA training, Emergency first aid at work training or similar, CSCS certification, 3-Day Rigging for the Entertainment Industry course or similar, Full UK Drivers Licence
- Electrical qualification or training; BS 7671 18th Edition, BS 7909, C&G 2365 Lvl. 3, PAT testing & inspection, etc.
- Good understanding of statutory regulations governing venues such as the Working Time Directive
- Awareness of current trends in various venue technologies and systems
- Experience of touring
- Appropriate qualification in technical theatre or live sound from an accredited college, university, ABTT or industry relevant training courses
