Ryan Doordan on Using the S6L for the Vampire Weekend Tour
Who is Ryan Doordan
Ryan Doordan, a monitor and audio engineer with over 20 years of experience, Ryan began his journey in sound at a college radio station where he took control of the audio for a concert when no one else knew how. That moment sparked a career that saw him working his way up from local clubs and small bands to larger venues and major artists. Today, he works as the monitor engineer for Vampire Weekend, having joined the band during their latest record. Prior to this, Ryan spent several years touring with Father John Misty and My Morning Jacket, managing the complex demands of both artists’ live performances. His role as a monitor engineer involves creating personalized audio mixes for each band member on stage, ensuring they hear exactly what they need to perform their best. Ryan's experience with the Avid S6L console, which he first used on an ambitious tour with Father John Misty in 2017, has made it an essential tool in his work, thanks to its flexibility and ability to handle complex setups.
Ryan Doordan believes that building trust as a monitor engineer comes from a combination of professionalism, honesty, and transparency. From the outset, he makes it clear who he is and what his role entails, understanding that bands want to feel secure and know their time won’t be wasted. Over the years, Ryan has learned that clear communication is crucial—whether it's addressing a minor technical issue or explaining how long it will take to fix a problem on stage. His professionalism allows artists to stay focused on their performance, knowing they can trust him to handle the technical side. Ryan views his role as a vital way to support the band, ensuring they are comfortable and confident on stage. While personal relationships may develop naturally, especially on smaller tours, with larger acts like Vampire Weekend, Ryan prioritizes being a steady, reliable presence who is there to help them sound their best. His primary focus is always on supporting the artists musically on tours.
Working with the S6L
Ryan Doordan’s transition to the Avid S6L was seamless, thanks to the system's intuitive design that aligns perfectly with his workflow. Having worked with various consoles like Digico, Yamaha, and Midas, Ryan found Avid’s straightforward patching system especially helpful, particularly in high-pressure environments like festivals where quick changes are needed. His extensive background with Pro Tools, dating back to the late 90s, also contributed to his proficiency in live sound engineering. Ryan quickly adapted to the software, using it as a foundation for understanding the core principles of sound. His familiarity with Avid systems, both in the studio and in live settings, has made them an essential part of his technical toolkit, especially with the ability to share I/O across setups, simplifying complex mixes like the 16 stereo in-ear monitors he manages on tour.
All S6L system components (control surface, processing engine, stage boxes, and recording workstations) are interconnected via Ethernet AVB, and you can network multiple consoles together to share I/O between systems without analog splits—reducing I/O and cable requirements. Avid True Gain™ technology also automatically manages gain compensation to ensure the proper signal levels in each engineer’s mix. It’s an essential tool for Vampire Weekend’s tour setup.
Being on Tour with Vampire Weekend
When working with Vampire Weekend, Ryan emphasizes the importance of professionalism, honesty, and clear communication to build trust with the band. From the start, he makes sure they understand his role and assures them that their time won’t be wasted. His approach is to be transparent about any issues, explaining how long they will take to fix so that the band can focus on their performance. While Ryan has toured with smaller bands where personal connections naturally developed, with larger acts like Vampire Weekend, he keeps things professional, making sure the band knows he is there to support them musically. Whether bonding over shared interests or managing technicalities on stage, his primary goal is always to provide a stable and reliable presence, ensuring the artists can perform confidently and without distraction. accommodate the dynamic nature of live shows. He mentions: "As a monitor engineer, I handle what the band hears on stage," Ryan explains. "They’re listening to a left-right mix that I create from the side of the stage. I personalize the mix for each band member based on their needs."
Advice from Ryan
“My advice to anyone starting out is to make yourself useful and indispensable. Be willing to learn and be honest about what you don’t know. If you don’t know something, admit it and find someone who does. Never fake it. Also, find ways to contribute beyond just the technical aspects—sometimes, being good at something simple like making tea can make a big difference. In this industry, it’s important to be reliable, knowledgeable, and ready to adapt to any situation. Ultimately, the goal is to support the artists and make them feel comfortable so they can focus on their performance”
