perform a soundcheck

/pərˈfɔːrm ə ˈsaʊnd.tʃek/

Meaning

To test the sound system and adjust audio levels of instruments and microphones before a live performance, concert, or presentation. This ensures that the audience hears the best possible sound quality and that the performers can hear themselves.

Examples

  • The band arrived early at the venue to perform a soundcheck before the doors opened.

    The band arrived early at the venue to perform a soundcheck before the doors opened.

  • It is crucial to perform a soundcheck to avoid feedback issues during the live show.

    It is crucial to perform a soundcheck to avoid feedback issues during the live show.

  • We only have thirty minutes to perform a soundcheck, so please get your gear ready.

    We only have thirty minutes to perform a soundcheck, so please get your gear ready.

  • The audio engineer asked the lead singer to perform a soundcheck with the main microphone.

    The audio engineer asked the lead singer to perform a soundcheck with the main microphone.

  • Even experienced musicians need to perform a soundcheck to adapt to the venue's acoustics.

    Even experienced musicians need to perform a soundcheck to adapt to the venue's acoustics.

Common Mistakes

  • ✗ The band needs to make a soundcheck before playing.

    ✓ The band needs to perform a soundcheck before playing.

    The standard verbs used with soundcheck are 'perform', 'do', or 'run'. 'Make' is incorrect in this collocation.

  • ✗ We did a check of sound to make sure the volume was okay.

    ✓ We performed a soundcheck to make sure the volume was okay.

    Soundcheck is a single compound noun. Saying 'check of sound' is unnatural in professional or casual music contexts.

Related Expressions

do a soundchecktest the audiorun a sound test

Practice

  • Before the crowd enters the hall, the technical crew and the band must ___.

    💡 Test the microphones and speakers.

    Show answer

    perform a soundcheck

  • If you don't ___, you might experience terrible echo or low volume during your speech.

    💡 Test the audio equipment before the event.

    Show answer

    perform a soundcheck