This Is DeLaCruz

• Running Sound TOBYMAC (Pat Haapanen)

  Send us a textWhen you’re mixing for an artist like TOBYMAC, the show isn’t just loud—it’s alive. Blending pop, hip-hop, gospel, rock, and pure adrenaline, it takes a seasoned pro to keep it all glued together. That’s where Pat Haapanen comes in.As TOBYMAC’s Front of House Engineer, Pat is the architect behind a mix that hits hard, moves fast, and still delivers every lyric with clarity and punch. In this episode, we sit down with Pat to talk about what it takes to manage a high-energy, genre-blending production, where every second counts and every transition has to be flawless.Pat opens up about his creative process, the unique challenges of mixing for an artist with a multi-dimensional live show, and the deep trust he’s built with the entire team to make it all happen night after night.🎧 Inside the Interview:🎛️ How Pat balances musicality with energy in TOBYMAC’s set🔈 Managing multiple genres in one show—and making it seamless🎚️ Pat’s favorite tools, techniques, and system approach🧠 Why mixing TOBYMAC is as much about feel as it is about faders🚛 Touring tales, tech challenges, and the importance of teamIf you’re into the art of making faith-filled, high-octane shows sound crystal clear, this episode is packed with insight.💬 Got questions or love TOBYMAC’s live sound? Drop them in the comments!🤳 Social Media & HangoutsTwitter: https://x.com/thisisdelacruz 🐦Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisdelacruz 📸Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nicholas.DeLaCruz👍TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@this.is.delacruz 🎉🤘🏽 Support My JourneyJoin this channel to get access to perks:YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC87o5nnsjldToX-uP8TlYeA/join Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThisIsDeLaCruz 🌟Join our little family for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes fun, and cool perks!🌐 More Cool StuffMerch: https://4dxm1p-nb.myshopify.com 👕🔗 Band and CrewPat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haapanenpd 🌍TOBYMAC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tobymac 📚🙏 Shout Outs & CreditsA huge thanks to everyone who helped make this video possible! Music by: https://www.epidemicsound.com  🎶📩 Let’s ConnectGot questions or just want to chat? Email me at: [email protected]  or Ryan Sandlin our Creative Director Contact him at : [email protected] or follow him oh Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ryansandlin 💌🔥 Don’t Forget!Like, comment, and subscribe for more awesome content! 👍🔔

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  29:15
• Monitor Engineer for Wage War (Peyton Chisholm)

  Send us a textWhen the pressure’s on and the show has to run flawlessly, Peyton Chisholm is the one you want behind the scenes. As both the Monitor Engineer and Drum Tech for Wage War, Peyton wears two critical hats—making sure the band hears exactly what they need and keeping the drums locked in and ready for war.In this exclusive interview, Peyton walks us through what it’s like to live in two worlds at once—dialing in crystal-clear in-ear mixes while also being responsible for the heartbeat of the band. From mid-set troubleshooting to fine-tuning drum tone, Peyton is the calm in the storm that keeps Wage War sounding tight and explosive every night.This isn’t just a job—it’s a finely tuned balancing act where technical skill, quick thinking, and trust from the band all have to be firing at full speed.⚙️ What You’ll Learn:🧠 How Peyton manages monitors and backline under pressure🎛️ Building rock-solid in-ear mixes for a high-energy metalcore show🥁 The secrets behind Wage War’s massive drum sound🛠️ Drum tech tips, road hacks, and wild moments from tour👂 What makes a great monitor engineer in a live settingIf you’ve ever wanted to know what really happens behind the risers—this is the episode for you.💬 Drop your questions for Peyton in the comments!🤳 Social Media & HangoutsTwitter: https://x.com/thisisdelacruz 🐦Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisdelacruz 📸Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nicholas.DeLaCruz👍TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@this.is.delacruz 🎉🤘🏽 Support My JourneyJoin this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC87o5nnsjldToX-uP8TlYeA/join Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThisIsDeLaCruz 🌟Join our little family for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes fun, and cool perks!🌐 More Cool StuffMerch: https://4dxm1p-nb.myshopify.com 👕🔗 Band and CrewPeyton’s Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/peyton_chisholm_🌍Wage War’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wagewar📚🙏 Shout Outs & CreditsA huge thanks to everyone who helped make this video possible! Music by: https://www.epidemicsound.com  🎶📩 Let’s ConnectGot questions or just want to chat? Email me at: [email protected]  or Ryan Sandlin our Creative Director Contact him at : [email protected] or follow him oh Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ryansandlin 💌🔥 Don’t Forget!Like, comment, and subscribe for more awesome content! 👍🔔

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  24:18
• Running Sound for The Plot In You (Marcus Wickham)

  Send us a textThere’s something cinematic, haunting, and undeniably heavy about a The Plot In You show—and behind that immersive wall of sound is Marcus Wickham, the band's master of Front of House.In this episode, Marcus takes us inside his creative headspace and technical workflow, revealing how he builds a sonic atmosphere that mirrors the band’s emotional weight and raw energy. From textured layers to seismic low-end, he’s not just mixing a show—he’s crafting a world.What sets Marcus apart isn’t just his control of the faders—it’s his philosophy on sound, how he interprets emotion through EQ and dynamics, and his commitment to making every show feel like the end of the world in the best way possible.🖤 In This Interview:🎛️ How Marcus creates a dark, immersive mix that hits hard and feels alive🎧 His go-to gear, tools, and creative FX choices for The Plot In You🛠️ Adapting to different venues without sacrificing vibe or impact🧠 The mental side of mixing music that carries emotional weight🚐 Life on tour and what keeps him passionate about the craft

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  1:01:36
• Running Sound For Wage War (Shelby Eisenberg)

  Send us a textStep into the trenches with Shelby Eisenberg, the powerhouse Front of House Engineer for Wage War as we dive deep into what it takes to bring precision, brutality, and beauty to one of the tightest-sounding metalcore bands on tour today.Shelby doesn’t just mix audio—he builds a battlefield, crafting a sound that hits hard, stays clean, and moves with the raw emotion of every breakdown and chorus. In this exclusive sit-down, Shelby unpacks his approach to mixing controlled aggression, his relationship with the band, and how he keeps the sonic intensity locked in night after night.We’re talking massive guitars, thunderous drums, and vocals that cut through like a knife—and Shelby’s at the helm of it all.🎧 Inside the Episode:🎛️ Shelby’s unique approach to mixing heavy music with clarity🔩 The gear, plugins, and systems behind Wage War’s crushing live sound🧠 How he balances technical precision with emotional impact🛠️ Real-world problem solving on the road🤘 What it takes to thrive in the metalcore touring circuitThis isn’t just a tech talk—it’s a look into the craftsmanship behind chaos.💬 Got questions for Shelby or curious about touring FOH life? Drop them in the comments!🤳 Social Media & HangoutsTwitter: https://x.com/thisisdelacruz 🐦Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisdelacruz 📸Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nicholas.DeLaCruz👍TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@this.is.delacruz 🎉🤘🏽 Support My JourneyJoin this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC87o5nnsjldToX-uP8TlYeA/join Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThisIsDeLaCruz 🌟Join our little family for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes fun, and cool perks!🌐 More Cool StuffMerch: https://4dxm1p-nb.myshopify.com 👕🔗 Band and CrewShelby’s Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/shelbyeise 🌍Wage War’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wagewar📚🙏 Shout Outs & CreditsA huge thanks to everyone who helped make this video possible! Music by: https://www.epidemicsound.com  🎶📩 Let’s ConnectGot questions or just want to chat? Email me at: [email protected]  or Ryan Sandlin our Creative Director Contact him at : [email protected] or follow him oh Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ryansandlin 💌🔥 Don’t Forget!Like, comment, and subscribe for more awesome content! 👍🔔

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  39:24
• On The Road with GWAR 🎭🔥 Inside the Chaos with Bobby Phillips & Special Guests

  Send us a textEver wondered what it’s like to tour with GWAR—the most insane, blood-soaked, theatrical metal band on the planet? Strap in, because we’re taking you on the road for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at life inside the GWAR machine. 🤘💀🎤In this episode, we sit down with Bobby Phillips, GWAR’s Tour Manager and Front of House Engineer, to break down the organized chaos of their legendary live shows. From mixing the sonic brutality that fans love to managing the unpredictable madness that is a GWAR production, Bobby shares wild tour stories, tech secrets, and what it takes to survive on the road with the Scumdogs of the Universe.But that’s not all—expect surprise guests, backstage antics, and an unfiltered look at the road crew who keep the GWAR juggernaut rolling. This is not just another tour vlog—this is GWAR. 🤯🔥 What’s Inside:✅ How Bobby mixes GWAR’s face-melting live sound✅ The biggest challenges of touring with a theatrical metal band✅ Backstage access with surprise guests from the crew & beyond✅ Insane road stories—because nothing about GWAR is normal✅ A deep dive into the gear, blood, and chaos behind the show💬 Got questions about live sound or the madness of GWAR? Drop them in the comments!🤳 Social Media & HangoutsTwitter: https://x.com/thisisdelacruz 🐦Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisdelacruz 📸Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nicholas.DeLaCruz👍TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@this.is.delacruz 🎉🤘🏽 Support My JourneyYouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC87o5nnsjldToX-uP8TlYeA/joinPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThisIsDeLaCruz 🌟Join our little family for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes fun, and cool perks!🌐 More Cool StuffMerch: https://4dxm1p-nb.myshopify.com 👕Bobby Phillips Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobertgrizz 🌍GWAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwar📚🙏 Shout Outs & CreditsA huge thanks to everyone who helped make this video possible! Music by: https://www.epidemicsound.com  🎶📩 Let’s ConnectGot questions or just want to chat? Email me at: [email protected]  or Ryan Sandlin our Creative Director Contact him at : [email protected] or follow him oh Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ryansandlin 💌🔥 Don’t Forget!Like, comment, and subscribe for more awesome content! 👍🔔

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  1:41:51

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