Sound designer, audio engineer, and consultant, Michael Abbott is the owner of All Ears Inc, which he founded in 2009 and which provides services for entertainment venues, live TV, streaming broadcasts, and large-scale live events. He is also a three-time Grammy winner (2017, 2018, 2019) for Sound Mixing, and has received multiple Emmy Award nominations for his work in audio mixing. He was honored in January 2024 with an Emmy for Outstanding Audio Mix for a Variety Special for the Disney+ live broadcast of “Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium.”
Abbott will be one of the featured industry legends at Dining With Dinosaurs, an evening event on Saturday, December 6, presented by Geezers Of Gear and capping XLIVE: The Concert Touring Sessions at LDI 2025 in Las Vegas.
Register for LDI at www.ldishow.com and book your seat for Dining With Dinosaurs to spend the evening chatting with Abbott and the other dinos, or go big and get the entire XLIVE experience, using promo code XLIVE2025 for 20% off XLIVE including Dining With Dinosaurs.
Live Design: Can you describe yourself in less than 50 words?
Michael Abbott: I am an audio producer, engineer & mixer for live broadcast & streaming projects. My responsibilities range from the sound design of the project to the hiring of the audio crew & sound vendor.
LD: Please give a brief overview of your training/education/career path.
MA: I started with building portable touring sound systems in the '70's, toured for 15+ years with musical acts, and transitioned to large-scale events for broadcast in 1984. Currently working on many projects for production companies that produce a wide range of live events.
LD: Please describe your most recent project.
MA: I was the audio producer & broadcast mixer for the Vatican Project at St. Peter's Square featuring Andreas Bocelli & Pharrell Williams that was streamed on Disney+ & just finished Wicked: One Wonderful Life with the cast from the movie that will air on Peacock/NBC November 6, 2025
LD: What are you teaching at LDI and who is your target audience?
MA: Looking to engage the next generation of audio mixers, engineers & technicians
LD: What has been the biggest challenge of your career to date?
MA: Identifying the NexGen technology, training & being proficient in working with "it."
LD: What is your advice for people just getting into the industry?
MA: Bring a smile and listen...