Learn how J. Todd Wines delivers studio sound in arenas over Dante.
For over seven years, J. Todd Wines has been sculpting country superstar Miranda Lambert’s live sound as her front-of-house engineer. It’s a role that’s “been a dream come true on many levels,” he says.”Her music along with the musicianship, arrangements, and personalities in the touring camp make mixing her shows an honor and delight.”
Wines’ dedication to his craft stems from two-plus decades behind the console, honing his skills across diverse genres before landing with Lambert. Having explored various solutions in the search for studio-grade sound on the road, Wines found his answer in Apollo x16D interfaces and UAD plug-ins, all running over a Dante audio network.
Apollo x16D: Uncompromised Live Sound
“I was a long-time UA Live Rack user,” says Wines. “But after it was discontinued, I tried a few other solutions, but they were cumbersome and unreliable. So when Apollo x16D was announced, I ordered two units within the first week and haven’t looked back. They’ve earned their keep and are sticking around.”Todd Wines’ Apollo x16D units deliver studio-grade processing and reliability on the road for Miranda Lambert’s tours.
He continues, “I was fairly satisfied with the mix I was delivering for Miranda’s shows, however I was determined to incorporate Apollo x16D into her performances. During a rehearsal I started engaging familiar UAD flavors. I was so blown away with the improvement that I ordered a second unit the next day.
UAD Plug-Ins: The Essential Sonic Palette
To sculpt Lambert’s live mixes, Wines relies on UAD plug-ins to deliver studio-quality sonics every night. “I am consistently using the EL8 Distressors on kicks, snares, and bass guitar, and the SPL Transient Designer on toms,” he details. “The API 2500 Bus Compressor is always on my drum groups and, well, the Sonnox Inflator is audio crack, it’s so addictive. I use it on anything that needs life — and it’s always on my 2-bus. I will also use the Sonnox Envolution on anything flabby.”
“I mostly use UAD plug-ins as if they were analog inserts and choose flavors and colors that aren’t on my Yamaha Rivage digital console,” says Miranda Lambert’s FOH Todd Wines.
Wines continues, “I also use the FATSO Jr./Sr. Tape Sim. & Compressor on guitars to gently tame dynamics and edge, the Teletronix LA-3A Classic Audio Leveler for keys, Sonnox Dynamic EQ on bass and vocals, the Elysia Mpressor on lead vocals for its ‘genius’ gain reduction, and the bx_subsynth on a send/return for adding low-end impact to sources. I also use the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor on my 2-bus.”
The Art of the Mix: Balancing Expression and Experience
“When approaching a live mix, I come with a commitment to represent the expression of the artist while also caring about the audience’s experience,” Wines explains. “The musicians and artists I have the privilege of mixing pour themselves into these fleeting moments, and I get to be along with them for the delivery of the performance.
“I look at my mixing process almost like writing on a typewriter,” Wines continues. “I go across the sonic landscape almost linearly and repeating, quickly refining, not fixating. Once honed, the mix can become more dynamic and musical, almost as if I were conducting.”
“The detail and feeling that the UAD plug-ins added to my mixes was transformative,” says Todd Wines.
Dante Audio Networking: The Heartbeat of Modern Touring
Valuing its stability and flexibility, Wines has used Dante networked audio for eight years. “Incorporating and patching Dante devices has become a normal if not expected part of the modern FOH workflow,” he explains. “Once the topology of the network is arranged and interconnected, it couldn’t be easier to manage daily. For small systems, the use of readily available switches and CAT cable make it a breeze.”
“I gave up on several platforms, but Apollo x16D has earned its keep and is sticking around.”
Todd Wines, FOH, Miranda Lambert
“Dante provides lossless transport over relatively inexpensive cable and readily available switches with built-in redundancy. Long cable runs don’t affect impedance increase or signal degradation. Splits don’t increase the load or decrease the impedance on the attached devices. Routing and troubleshooting is fairly easy with Dante Controller. End device options abound. And it’s lightweight and compact compared to the analog systems it replaces.”
A Career Defined by Passion and Growth
With 25 years in sound, beginning with school ensembles and theater, Wines says his professional journey has been a “one foot in front of the other” progression of “passion, desire, opportunity, education, and experience.”
“I’m still learning every day, and I think that’s the most important thing,” says Todd Wines.
“Come to this craft with ears and eyes open,” he says to anyone looking to work in live sound. “Expect always to be learning, developing, and exploring. Creativity is part of what draws us to this work. What keeps us in this work and makes us successful is respectful confidence built on a service-driven heart, encouraging words, and honed listening skills. See people, hear people, serve people. Enjoy this and the music you’re a part of as you go.”
Todd Wines’ Top UAD Live Plug-Ins:
— Darrin Fox
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