Sound Strategies
- SoundTree
- Nov 4
- 2 min read
Chris Sanders KORG Studio Sound Reinforcement Expert
After years around school installs, training, and support calls, one pattern stands out: strong results come from a few smart moves done in the right order. Whether a program is just starting a funding request or already mid-project, the practices below keep shows calm, sound clear, and students confident.
1) Start with outcomes, not gear
Write down what “good” means for concerts, musicals, and rehearsals. For example, if the outcome is “every word understood in the middle rows,” decisions naturally shift toward coverage and mic placement instead of “more speakers.”
2) Room first: how the space sounds
Improving the room itself is usually the biggest win. A few well-placed wall panels and simple stage curtains in a cafeteria can cut echoes and feedback so the choir sounds like the choir, not the room.
3) Set healthy levels to prevent feedback
Clear sound starts with inputs that are neither too hot nor too quiet. A simple routine for setting input levels and trimming problem tones keeps the mix steady even when a soloist gets close to the mic.
4) Make the speakers fit the room
Speakers should point where people sit and cover seats evenly. In many gyms and cafeterias, re-aiming boxes and tightening spacing evens out front and back rows without turning up overall volume.
5) Leave training and easy instructions
The best system is the one next year’s crew can run on day one. Scene templates, quick-start cards, and a labeled patch map help new students walk in and succeed.
6) Upgrade in phases with clear wins
Most schools improve in steps. A common path is room treatment and better microphones first, then processing and power later, with each step bringing an obvious upgrade that also helps justify future funding.
7) Mic plans that fit each ensemble
Choir, band, strings, and jazz benefit from different approaches. Three well-placed vocal mics often beat eight scattered stands, delivering clearer sound and faster setup for student crews.
8) Record and stream without hurting the room mix
Capturing the show should not disrupt what the audience hears. Sending a clean copy of signals to a small recording setup with its own headphones or speakers keeps the livestream polished while the room keeps its own mix.
Chris Sanders is a husband, proud dog and cat dad, entrepreneur, and pro audio thought leader with a passion for empowering music educators. Raised on the west side of Detroit, Chris studied at Michigan State University before beginning his career in music retail with Marshall Music, a chain known for serving schools and band programs across Michigan. He spent many years helping educators and musicians access the tools they needed to inspire the next generation of creators. During the pandemic, Chris launched his own business, StudioHelp, focused on training and technical services to support learning and creativity. Today, he serves as Key Account Manager at KORG USA and contributes to the KUSA Operations team, where he works to make music technology more accessible to classrooms, teachers, and students nationwide. chriss@korgusa.com
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