DIY LIVE
A Musician’s Jumpstart to Modern Performance
THIS IS THE COURSE I WISH I HAD WHEN I STARTED OUT
14 VIDEO LESSONS
1.5 HOURS OF EDUCATION
YEARS OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
ENTRY-LEVEL APPROACH
Learn the basics of what you need for your own setup, regardless of budget or skill level
PRACTICED GUIDANCE
Get insights for software and hardware, as well as a practical stage rundown that I use for my own performances
GET TO PLAYING
Save time, money, and confusion for you and your band
VIDEO LESSONS
ARRANGING & DIRECTING
Get clarity on what parts of your music you want to perform live based on your goals, resources, and setup preferences
CREATING STEMS
A peek inside how I create stems for all of my songs, while printing in a non-destructive manner for future performances
PERFORMING WITH VIRTUAL INSTRUMENTS
How to perform keyboard parts live using virtual instruments, covering gear setup, software options, MIDI routing, and audio output strategies—while offering practical tips and pro-level insights for building a reliable and flexible live rig
PLAYBACK SETUP
Guiding you through the thought process of choosing a live playback setup—from basic to advanced—based on your goals, gear, budget, and level of control, while sharing lessons learned from real-world experience
CONTROLLING PLAYBACK
The various ways to control live playback—ranging from MIDI controllers and footswitches to web-based apps and simple keyboard shortcuts—highlighting the flexibility to tailor control methods to your performance style and evolving setup
AUX ROUTING
An inside look on how I utilize aux return tracks for sending various different audio signals to different outputs for a super flexible, future-proofed solution for any playback route you choose
IN-EAR MONITORING
The pros, cons, and price ranges of different wireless systems and earphone options—emphasizing that the best choice is what fits your needs, budget, and performance setup
ANTENNA COMBINERS
Avoid signal issues when using multiple IEM systems by using antenna combiners, proper frequency scanning, and strategic gear choices to ensure strong, reliable wireless performance
MIXERS & SPLITTING
The different ways to route audio to in-ear monitor (IEM) systems—using digital mixers, computers, or front-of-house patches—while comparing gear options, explaining signal splitting, and offering practical tips for reliable live monitoring
RACK CASES
What size do I need? How many rack spaces is enough? How much do they weigh? Here we cover some basics about selecting a rack based on space, depth, weight, and durability needs
SUMMARIES & CONFIGURATIONS
How to plan and configure a live audio setup emphasizing efficiency, convenience, and tailoring your setup to your budget and technical needs by showing real-world examples of common configurations used by solo artists and bands
PLANNING & TROUBLESHOOTING
The importance of thorough planning, managing expectations, and embracing nerves in order to reduce stress and perform confidently during live shows, especially as a DIY or emerging artist
CONVENIENT ACCESSORIES
These accessories are some favorites of mine that help keep things quick and convenient. Also, who doesn’t love finding small solutions that provide giant improvements?
MY STAGE WALKTHROUGH
A full walkthrough of one of my current live stage setups. I cover the signal flow, order of operations, and thought process behind my current production needs.
FAQs
Do I get lifetime access?
Yes! I’ll also try my best to make updated content for this course as I receive feedback.
Is this sponsored by any companies?
No. The pieces I may recommend in this course are utilized or acknowledged by most professional working artists and production technicians. I wouldn’t recommend something that I don’t think is a viable option in some way or another. However, some gear might not be the best decision for you based on your own needs. AKA…I probably wouldn’t recommend a 2.4ghz in-ear monitor system for a festival.
$30 for this? Why?
Everything I share here is what I wish someone had told me from the start. I can’t even tell you how many hours I’ve gone down the rabbit hole of YouTube to find answers and solutions. As far as I know, there isn’t a compact and straightforward explanation of this whole process in a way that felt easy to digest. I’ve shared some bits here and there on my own YouTube, and helped many other artists and bands with exactly what I’m teaching here. I wanted this guide to be an affordable jumpstart for the people who need it most. But if you think it’s not worth it, then sure, feel free to spend a years learning on your own lol