Confirm who checks sound levels before broadcast starts

Agree in advance who the person reports to if levels are wrong or a channel is silent. That named person must have authority to delay the broadcast or fix the problem. Write down a backup plan: if the main contact cannot be reached, who else can make the decision? The person checking sound should know how much time remains before going live, so everyone understands how urgent the problem is and whether a delay is possible.

You might choose the same person each time if they know the equipment well and are always present before broadcasts. Alternatively, you might ask whoever arrives earliest to take responsibility that day. Either approach works as long as everyone knows who is checking on each specific occasion. If you rotate the task, confirm in advance that the new person understands what to check and has been shown the equipment at least once before.

The report must confirm that the check is finished and whether the broadcast can proceed. A short message naming each channel and stating levels are acceptable is usually enough. If something is wrong, the person should describe what they found, which channel or microphone is affected, and whether they attempted to adjust it. Agree in advance what detail is helpful and what is unnecessary: too much information at the last minute can cause confusion.

Describe the task clearly to the group: what needs checking, where the equipment is, how long it takes, and exactly when it must be done. If no one offers, ask each person in turn whether they can do it, starting with those who have checked before. If everyone declines, you may need to check the sound yourself or accept that the broadcast carries more risk. Agree as a group how to prevent this situation recurring for future broadcasts.

Arriving slightly early means the person can deal with an unexpected problem without the pressure of an imminent broadcast. However, sound levels can change if equipment is adjusted or people move around the studio, so checking too early may produce an inaccurate result. Ten minutes before is usually a sensible compromise: recent enough to be reliable, but leaving a short window to report a problem or make a quick adjustment if needed.

Completion means the person has physically tested the levels, confirmed they are within the agreed range, and reported that confirmation to the group or the named contact. Simply being present in the studio is not enough: the person must perform the check and communicate the result. If the broadcast begins and the person has not yet confirmed levels are correct, the check is incomplete and the broadcast carries unnecessary risk of audio failure.

Yes, if the agreed person is unexpectedly delayed, ask the group whether someone else can step in. The replacement must know what to check and where the equipment is. If no one else knows the procedure, consider delaying the broadcast or asking the delayed person to talk someone through the check remotely. Agree in advance whether a backup person will be named for every broadcast, or whether you will find a replacement only if needed.

Send a brief reminder two hours before the broadcast that acknowledges their agreement and confirms the time: for example, a short message saying you are looking forward to their confirmation at ten minutes before going live. This gives the person a chance to mention any new conflict without feeling accused of forgetting. A reminder is a practical prompt, not a test of memory, and most people appreciate a helpful note when timing is critical.