American rock band Vampire Weekend spent much of 2024 touring the US, before signing off the year with shows across Europe. The tour’s Monitor Engineer Ryan Doordan gives the inside track on his tech and working with the band on the road.
“As a monitor engineer, I handle what the band hears on stage,” Doordan explained. “Most people notice the band wearing headphones – that’s where my job comes in. They’re listening to a left-right mix that I create from the side of the stage. I personalise the mix for each band member based on their needs.”
But it’s not just technical nous that’s required. When working with Vampire Weekend, Doordan emphasised the importance of professionalism, honesty, and clear communication to build trust with the band, making sure they understood his role. His approach is to be transparent, explaining how long issues will take to fix, so the band can focus on their performance. He keeps things professional, ensuring the band knows he is there to support them musically, providing a stable and reliable presence.
Doordan worked with the Avid S6L. Thanks to the system’s design, which aligned perfectly with his workflow, Doordan’s transition to the S6L was seamless. He first used it on an ambitious tour with Father John Misty in 2017, and it now forms an essential tool in his work.
His extensive background with Avid Pro Tools, dating back to the late 90s, also contributed to his proficiency in live sound engineering. He 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,” he explained.
Now a monitor and audio engineer with over 20 years of experience, Doordan 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.
Now working as the monitor engineer for Vampire Weekend, he joined the band during their latest record cycle. Prior to this, Doordan spent several years touring with Father John Misty and My Morning Jacket, managing the complex demands of both artists’ live performances.
“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,” he concluded.
