Legendary FOH Michael “Coach” Conner - Capturing the Live Essence of Steely Dan and Paul Simon

While many FOH engineers refine their mix by playing back Steely Dan's sounds, Michael "Coach" Conner makes it a reality nightly on tour with the band. Captivating audiences with unparalleled sonic fidelity, he achieves this through meticulous preparation and innovative use of both analog and digital tools. Conner seamlessly translates complex recordings into live experiences that rival the originals, ensuring every performance sounds as close to the studio recording as possible. With a decades-long career working with icons like Donald Fagen, Steely Dan, and Paul Simon, he has earned acclaim from both artists and fans alike.

On reproducing complex studio arrangements

Recreating Steely Dan’s trademark studio sound, renowned for its intricate arrangements and meticulous production standards, live on stage presents a daunting challenge for Conner. Night after night, in various arena-sized venues, he faces the task of translating this complex sound into a live experience.

Through rehearsals, sound checks, and collaborative feedback from the band, Conner leverages both analog and digital equipment, including notable tools ranging from the Bricasti M7 reverb and Summit Audio’s TLA-100A and DCL-200 compressors to Yamaha’s DaNSe, Bricasti Y7 and OpenDeck plug-ins to achieve a level of sonic and tonal fidelity that rivals the well-known studio recordings (Coach recorded 2021’s live Donald Fagen and Steely Dan albums). This dedication garners acclaim from both the band and audiences, who appreciate the seamless transition from studio to stage.

Coach was a quick adapter to Genius.lab having created a macro to switch from external to internal processing allowing him to recover from 3rd party hardware issues seamlessly and instantly.

Microphone Mastery

Another way Coach achieves the sonic perfection of Steely Dan live is through meticulous microphone selection and placement and the precise use of Yamaha’s DaNSe Noise Suppression plug-in. “We use around 55 microphones, with the rest being direct inputs. I have 25-30 instances of DaNSe. Anywhere I have noise floor off an amplifier or a vocal mic there’s DaNSe in play. It really does change everything. It’s probably my favorite thing on the desk. That’s my game-changer.”

“Noise reduction is applied either on the group or individual input, but it’s done very lightly. There’s an art to using it-you can’t be too aggressive, or you’ll create a mess.” Conner continues, "For example, I apply noise reduction to the horn section by routing them to group processing. Again, it’s a delicate balance. Being too aggressive can compromise tonal quality. Once it’s dialed in, I can set it and forget it. Constantly relearning and adjusting thresholds nightly isn’t practical—it introduces too much margin for error."

Full Sound Checks

Coach and the band allocate time for full sound checks each day. “We do a full sound check each day, usually having at least an hour to do so. Sometimes, we even run through the entire set during sound check for various reasons, such as substituting musicians. This means we often end up performing the entire set twice. It's pretty handy as it ensures we have enough time to prepare and perfect the show.”

These sound checks are clearly a delight for Coach. During this interview by Russ Long from Yamaha Pro Audio, they shared multiple laughs and insider banter, all while Coach expertly dialed in the sound of Steely Dan. It's evident that Coach is a master at work, and he embodies the joy that a career in audio engineering can bring. He even jokes about the necessity of becoming an expert at finding laundromats if you're a touring live engineer... but that’s another story.

Virtual Sound Checks: A Blessing and a Curse

Michael “Coach” Conner also carves out time during his day to regularly conduct virtual sound check, leveraging the on-board recording technology of Rivage PM. This feature allows him to fine-tune the mix and analyze nuances, ensuring optimal sound quality during the live performance.

“Virtual sound check has become indispensable for me now, but it’s interesting to reflect on how I achieved results before. Back then, we relied solely on live shows, blissfully unaware of any imperfections. The combination of the environment and the adrenaline masked any issues."

"But with virtual sound check, it’s all laid bare. I put on my headphones or in-ears, start soloing up, and realize what I truly heard the previous night—sometimes strange or unexpected. It’s both a blessing and a curse to have an archive of past performances. While it adds work and time to my day, it ensures continuous improvement. Before, it was like whatever happened the other day vanished into space. Now, let’s dive into today and see what happens.”

Even at Coach’s level of experience, he muses, "So much satisfaction... yet it's never 100% correct," highlighting the ever-evolving nature of the work and his passion and drive to constantly improve the sonic experience for both the artist and the audience.

Engineering for Paul Simon

Despite his self-deprecating humor and humble approach, Coach’s lauded and sought-after sonic ability to recreate complex in-studio mixes benefitted from demanding engineering challenges in recreating the sounds of Paul Simon. “Paul Simon's music spans a wide range of styles and incorporates a variety of instruments and vocal arrangements. Achieving a cohesive and balanced sound in a live setting requires versatility and a deep understanding of the music.”

“Paul, like Donald (Fagen), derives immense satisfaction from recreating complex studio arrangements in a live environment. The challenge is formidable—what was hard enough to achieve in the studio becomes even more intricate when performed live. Yet, they persist, striving to capture that magic for audiences. It’s a testament to their dedication and the artistry behind their music.”

Conner customized his approach to suit the unique requirements of Simon's diverse catalog. This included tailored microphone setups for different instruments and vocalists, as well as specific EQ settings for various songs.

During live performances, Conner constantly monitors and adjusts the mix to respond to the dynamics of the music and the acoustics of the venue. His ability to make precise, real-time adjustments ensure that the sound remained clear and balanced.

Working closely with Paul Simon and his band, Conner’s goal is that that the live sound reflects the artist's vision. This collaborative approach extends to rehearsals and sound checks, where he fine-tuned the mix based on feedback from the musicians.

The Coach Approach

Nicknamed "Coach" for his leadership and problem-solving abilities, Conner excels under pressure, quickly addressing any issues that arise during live performances. His passion for music and sound drives him to continually refine his skills and stay updated on the latest audio technology.

In sharing his wisdom with aspiring audio engineers, Conner emphasizes, "If you're passionate about audio, go straight to the people who do what you want to do. It's easier than you think to get a job – you may not land the one you want right away, but you'll get a tap on the shoulder because you've positioned yourself with the right people to do what you love."

Michael "Coach" Conner's career exemplifies the art and science of FOH engineering. His ability to enhance the live music experience through meticulous preparation, real-time adaptation, and collaboration has set a high standard in the industry. As a mentor and leader, his insights and practical advice continue to inspire aspiring engineers, cementing his legacy as a true luminary in live sound engineering.