A soundcheck is the preparation that takes place before a concert, speech, or similar performance, when the performer and the sound crew run through a small portion of the upcoming show on the venue's sound system to make sure that the sound in the venue's "Front Of House" (FOH) and stage monitor sound systems is clear and at the right volume and tonal frequencies. Soundchecks are especially important for popular and other musical genres that use heavily amplified PA systems; having correct sound is crucial to the success of such events. A soundcheck remains a difficult science, because the acoustics of a venue often change somewhat once it is filled with an audience.
Soundchecks are often conducted prior to audience entry to the venue. The sound check usually starts with the rhythm section, and then go on to the melody section and vocalists.
After technical adjustments have been completed by the sound crew, the performers leave the stage and the audience is admitted. In other instances, soundchecks take place in front of the audience, and can be followed immediately by the performance itself.
Soundcheck is a talk radio program about music and the arts hosted by John Schaefer. It is produced by WNYC, New York Public Radio. From 2002 to 2012, the show aired at 2 p.m. EST on 93.9 FM in New York City and on XM Satellite Radio Channel 133. The show underwent a summer hiatus from the airwaves in May 2012, and returned in September of that year.
Soundcheck covers music of all genres and styles and features interviews with performers, composers, authors and critics as well as frequent call-in segments. The show covers the latest music industry news, trends and ideas and is notable for its frequent in-studio performance segments. Guests have included singer-songwriters such as Norah Jones, M. Ward and Suzanne Vega; rock and pop musicians such as Robert Plant, David Byrne, and Moby; classical artists like cellist Yo-Yo Ma and violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter; world music performers like Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Youssou N'Dour; and jazz artists such as Wynton Marsalis and Ornette Coleman. Call-in segments regularly cover such subjects as rock 'n' roll history, personal technology, pop culture, online music distribution, arts philanthropy, new music, classical music, and audience trends. The show has also presented remote broadcasts from music venues around New York City and from Tanglewood in Massachusetts. On April 8, 2007, Soundcheck marked its five-year anniversary.
Soundcheck is the thirty-third album by Finnish experimental rock band Circle.
It was issued as a limited edition vinyl LP by Full Contact in 2009. It was recorded on 31 October 2009 in Lahti, Finland. The core four-piece Circle line-up is joined by sound engineer Tuomas Laurila who supplies effects and the original live sound mix, and guitarist brothers Julius and Pekka Jääskeläinen, creating a dense, guitar-heavy sound.
Soundcheck is one of a series of vinyl-only albums released by Circle which document their often improvised freeform live shows.