What is a Sound Check?

A sound check (also written soundcheck) is the session before a show where the band plays on stage while engineers set levels and tone for each instrument and microphone, in front of house and in the monitors. It happens after the get-in and before doors open.

How a sound check works

A full sound check usually runs in this order:

  1. Line check: crew check that every input on the patch list is working.
  2. Instruments one by one: each drum, bass, guitar and keyboard plays alone while the engineer sets gain and EQ.
  3. Vocals: each singer tests their mic, as in a mic check.
  4. Full band: the band plays a song or two together so the engineer can balance the mix.
  5. Monitors: each musician asks the monitor engineer for what they need to hear.

Sound check times are agreed during the advance in Crescat, so each act knows its slot before arriving.

Sound check vs line check

A sound check is a full session where levels and the mix are set, usually for the headliner and main support. A line check is a quick test that each input works, used for later acts or at festivals where there is no time for full sound checks between sets.

Typical sound check schedule

  • 14:00 Get-in and stage set-up
  • 16:00–17:00 Headliner sound check
  • 17:15–17:45 Support sound check
  • 18:00 Opening act line check
  • 19:00 Doors

Frequently asked questions

How long does a sound check take?

Usually 30 to 90 minutes for a headliner and 15 to 30 minutes for support acts. Larger productions may take longer. Opening acts often only get a line check. Time is tight at festivals, so most acts there skip a full sound check altogether.

Why do headliners sound check first?

So the support acts can set up in front of the headliner's equipment afterwards, and the stage is ready in the right order for the show. This is often called "reverse order" sound checking. The opening act, which checks last, is then already set up when doors open.

Can the audience watch a sound check?

Not usually, since it happens before doors. Some artists sell "sound check experience" tickets as part of VIP packages.

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