When people think about careers in live audio, most picture mixing at front-of-house, dialing in monitors, or tuning a PA in a massive venue. These positions can seem extremely out of reach for a beginner in the field, and I am lucky to have found an amazing way to climb this career’s ladder that often gets overlooked: the shop.
Whether it’s a rental house, a production company, or a venue’s equipment storage, the shop is where gear is prepped, tested, repaired, and packed before it goes out to a gig. And the person who keeps it all running—the “shop person”—is one of the most valuable connections you can make.
If you’re an aspiring audio engineer, working in the shop isn’t just a stepping stone; it’s an opportunity to learn, network, and position yourself for bigger gigs. Here’s why starting in the shop has been one of the smartest moves I’ve made in my career and examples of how it could help you.
You’ll Learn Gear Inside and Out
Before you can confidently troubleshoot problems during a show, you need to understand how gear works—and the shop is the perfect place to learn. Working in the shop gives you hands-on experience with:
- Consoles and racks
- Microphones and wireless systems
- Cables and power distribution
- PA systems and speakers
- Rigging and stage setups
- Production paperwork
When you spend time in the shop, you’re not just pulling racks off a shelf—you’re reading through orders, quality-controlling gear, maintaining inventory, working with all kinds of technicians, all while staying organized, working quickly, and learning anything and everything you can. This experience will give you a major advantage when you start working on shows!
You’ll Become an Expert Troubleshooter
One of the most important skills in live sound is troubleshooting under pressure. When something goes wrong during a show, you need to figure out the problem fast. The best way to develop that skill? Fixing gear in the shop before it even gets to the gig.
If you’ve spent time repairing faulty DIs or tracking down bad cables in the shop, the chances of this happening on the gig is much slimmer. Not to mention, you’ll have a much easier time diagnosing and fixing these issues in the field. Working in the shop, you are surrounded by every tool you need to be a great tech—and that’s invaluable on a live gig.
You’ll Earn the Respect of Your Peers
In the live audio industry, respect is earned through knowledge, skill, and work ethic. Starting in the shop is one of the best ways to gain credibility.
- You prove your knowledge.
- You show you’re willing to do the work. Shop work is not glamorous work—it’s long hours, heavy lifting, and great attention to detail. Working in the shop proves that you aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty, you put in the effort to learn the technical side of things, and can handle prep, teardown, and maintenance.
- When others see that you’ve worked in the shop, they know you’ve already paid your dues.
You’ll Make Connections That Lead to Gigs
One of the biggest benefits of working in the shop is the networking opportunities.
- Touring engineers, local freelancers, and production managers all come through the shop to pick up or return gear. If they see you working hard and taking an interest in what’s going on, they’ll remember you.
- Rental house staff and shop techs are often the first to hear about gigs. If they know you’re reliable and capable, they might recommend you when a crew needs an extra tech. ● By working closely with gear, you’ll gain the trust of the production team. When they need someone to tech a gig, they’re more likely to call the person who packed and prepped their rig.
The Shop is a Stepping Stone to Bigger Gigs
Many top technicians started in the shop. It’s a place where you prove your work ethic, gain technical experience, and get your name out there.
Some look at the shop and think it’s just a behind-the-scenes job with no upward mobility. It’s important to know how to use the shop as a launchpad, don’t see it as a dead end.
You’ll Gain Confidence in a Low-Stress Environment
Live shows are high-pressure. Things move fast, mistakes are costly, and there’s no “pause” button when something goes wrong. The shop, on the other hand, gives you time to learn in a lower-stress environment. You can take the time to ask questions without the pressure of a live show, make mistakes and learn from them, and experiment with gear setups and configurations. By the time you step onto a gig, you’ll have way more confidence in your abilities.
How to Make the Most of Your Time in the Shop?
It’s easy to find a lot of down time when working in a shop, especially during slower seasons.
- Open up gear, patch a rack, drop a console, plug things in, maybe even venture into other departments!
- Ask questions. If you don’t understand something, ask! You will be surrounded by others who have a ton of knowledge and are usually happy to share it.
- Pay attention to detail. Double-check smaller pieces, verify gear is working before it leaves, and make sure everything is packed properly.
- Network with people picking up gear. Introduce yourself, ask about their shows, and let them know you’re looking for opportunities to work.
- Stay organized. A well-run shop is efficient, and being detail-oriented will earn you respect. ● Update your resume and contacts—when the time comes to transition to bigger things, be ready.
Your Environment will Cue Motivation
Humans are incredibly responsive to their surroundings, and being in an environment that reflects your interests or career can constantly trigger motivation. Just being surrounded by equipment can act as visual reminders of what you’re working towards and can fuel your passion, especially when you see and interact with it daily.
Surrounding yourself with your profession keeps your mind engaged with your field, which can help foster creativity and persistence when you’re faced with the inevitable challenges this career will bring. I’ve found that working in a shop is like a continuous source of encouragement that helps me stay focused and energized, reminding me that I’m working towards something bigger.
Final Thoughts
For anyone breaking into audio engineering, working in the shop is a game-changer. It’s a place to develop skills, prove yourself, and make connections that will lead to bigger and better gigs. So if you’re looking for a way to get your foot in the door, don’t overlook the shop. It might just be the key to launching your career.