Certified Audio System Engineer

Job Overview

The Hope Center is seeking proposals from a qualified Certified Audio System Engineer to provide full system commissioning, tuning, and volunteer staff practicum/training, including equalization (EQ) and dynamics settings for the Event Center's installed audio system. The goal of this project is to optimize sound quality, intelligibility, and coverage throughout the venue; protect the installed equipment; and provide our staff and volunteers with a stable, well-documented system configuration for everyday use. The Event Center regularly hosts church services, anniversary and birthday celebrations, plays with music, performances by bands and singers, and meetings and training sessions. The engineer will also train Event Center staff and volunteers to recall and use the labeled scene and preset for each event type, make basic level, EQ, and dynamics adjustments, and keep the system operating consistently from event to event.

Responsibilities

• Tune, EQ, and set dynamics for system microphones, instruments, and playback sources used regularly at the Event Center. Console channel settings should be optimized for each source and saved so they can be recalled consistently.
• System Assessment: Inspect and verify the signal flow, cabling, connections, and operating condition of all installed components, from the Aviom A-Net input module through the Mackie TT24, DBX DriveRack PA, QSC amplifiers, and loudspeakers. Confirm the console input layout. If possible, identify and record the make and model of the EAW main speakers and the restroom speakers, which are currently unknown. Report any faulty, damaged, or misconfigured equipment.
• Gain Structure: Establish proper gain staging across the input module, console, DriveRack, and amplifiers to maximize headroom and minimize noise and distortion.
• Room Analysis & System EQ: Perform acoustic measurement of the room (e.g., RTA/measurement microphone) and apply system equalization in the DBX DriveRack PA to achieve a balanced, natural frequency response throughout the listening areas.
• Loudspeaker Management: Identify and document the output group currently assigned to the low-end (subwoofer) speakers, and adjust the console routing, scene assignments, and DriveRack settings accordingly. Configure crossovers, delay/time alignment, polarity, and limiter settings in the DriveRack PA for the three EAW main speakers, the stage speakers (Groups 1 & 3), space fill speakers (Group 5), and low-end speakers (Group TBD) to ensure seamless coverage and protect the loudspeakers and amplifiers. Set the restroom (bathroom) speaker feed to a clear, comfortable level and EQ suited to the smaller space, so guests can follow the program without it being too loud.
• Amplifier Setup: Verify and set QSC PLX2502 / PLX3602 amplifier's input sensitivity, operating modes, and channel assignments to match loudspeaker requirements.
• Console Dynamics & Channel EQ: Set channel-level EQ, high-pass filters, compression, gating, and other dynamics on the Mackie TT24 for all input sources to remain clear and intelligible over the instrumentation.
• Input/Patch List: Develop an input/patch list for each scene that shows which sources are assigned to which console channels. Not all sources are used at every event, so the board is to be configured based on the type of event with the appropriate source inputs
• Recording Feed (Camcorder): Configure Output Group 12 on the Mackie TT24 as a dedicated send to feed audio to the Panasonic AG-AC90APJ camcorder. Set the send level and the camcorder's audio input level so recordings are clean and free of clipping. Provide a balanced mix of speech and music that is independent of the room (house) mix, and save the send settings within each scene.
• Feedback Control: Ring out the system and stage monitoring as applicable to maximize gain-before-feedback.
• Scenes & Presets: Create and save labeled console scenes and DriveRack presets for the Event Center's common event types, including: (a) church services (spoken word, vocals, choir, and worship band); (b) anniversary and birthday celebrations (speeches, music playback, and live entertainment); (c) plays and stage productions with music; (d) live bands and singers; and (e) meetings and training sessions (speech intelligibility and presentation audio).
• Testing & Verification: Conduct a final listening test and walk-through of the venue to confirm consistent coverage, clarity, and level in all seating areas.
• Staff/Volunteer Training & Documentation: Conduct a hands-on orientation/training/practicum session (4–6 hours) for Event Center staff and volunteers covering daily system operation, recalling scenes/presets, using the input/patch lists, checking and adjusting the recording feed (Output Group 12) to the Panasonic AG-AC90APJ camcorder before each event, and basic troubleshooting. Prepare a simple quick-start guide for routine system startup, operation, and shutdown.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with live sound engineering principles including microphone placement, acoustics management, and event AV production workflows.
• Proven experience operating professional audio equipment in recording studios or live event settings.
• Professional audio certification(s) relevant to live sound and system tuning (e.g., industry or manufacturer certifications). Please include copies with your proposal.
• Demonstrated experience with digital mixing consoles, loudspeaker management processors, and multi-zone installed sound systems; experience with Mackie, DBX, Aviom, QSC, EAW, Electro-Voice, Yorkville, and Community products is preferred.
• Proficiency with acoustic measurement tools and software.
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in installed or live sound system tuning.
• At least three (3) professional references from comparable venues (e.g., event centers, auditoriums, churches, or performance spaces).
• Proof of general liability insurance and any applicable business licenses.

Pay: $20.00 - $43.00 per hour

Expected hours: 10.0 – 14.0 per week

Work Location: In person