Pab Boothroyd On Mixing Paul McCartney Live: Take A Great Set And Make It Better

Not surprisingly, Boothroyd records every show to an accompanying Pro Tools | HD rig. “Not necessarily for release, but it’s no problem to do it, and Paul likes to have it for reference,” he explains.

And although the artist is generous with sound checks, Boothroyd makes use of the recorded tracks for Virtual Soundcheck, a timesaving VENUE feature.

“Particularly on a night like tonight, where we’re just kicking off a new tour, it’s very useful,” he explains. “I was able to pull up (recordings from) a show we did in Dublin last year, (recorded) in a hall similar to this one, and get a rough mix somewhat dialed in.”

For any FOH engineer, the mix is only as good as the performance, and McCartney’s band makes that part look easy.

Guitarists Rusty Anderson and Brian Ray, keyboardist Paul “Wix” Wickens and drummer Abe Laboriel, Jr. are consummate musicians who truly do the music justice.

“It’s only a five-piece band, but there’s a lot going on,” Boothroyd says, in something of an understatement. From the horns and strings of Wiickens’ keyboards to the textures of multiple guitars and basses, the range of tonal colorings is staggering. “I try not to color it too much. I add a little, but most of their sound is coming from the stage.”

And the sound coming off the stage is pure rock and roll, in the most classic sense. “Paul’s always been the epitome of the old school rocker,” says Boothroyd. “He likes it live and loud in the monitors – no in-ears – everything’s very open on stage, and that’s how I mix it.”

Indeed, the show is powerful and fast-paced, moving effortlessly across raw, no-frills rockers and intricately textured ballads, each familiar song a new surprise. McCartney performs with a youthful energy and spontaneity that belies his years, and no doubtl keeps his younger charges on their toes.

“That’s one of the best parts of working with Paul,” Boothroyd concludes. “He’s always pushing the limits, always trying new things.

Whether it’s just launching, unannounced, into a song they’ve never performed before, or doing a show atop the marquee on Times Square. It’s never boring. For me the Profile system gives me a certain dependability. No matter what else is going on, I’ve got what I need.”

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