Ron Cook

I have 20+ years in live audio. I graduated from Columbia College with a degree in Acoustical Contracting. Worked for a local sound company for 6 1/2 years then spent 15 years as a staff audio engineer at Willow Creek Community Church in the suburbs of Chicago. At the end of 2015 I left Willow to become a freelance engineer and start Split The Difference Audio.

I spend my time working with regional and national sound companies as well as mixing and training audio teams at churches across the USA. I also mix a record every once and a while.

Career Highlights

Anytime I'm behind the console mixing music is a career highlight for me.

Being a staff engineer at Willow for 15 years, there are countless memories and highlights but here are a few recent ones.

• 2015 - Honored to be the first ever to mix a live show on the Yamaha PM10 for Willow Creek Community Church's 40th Anniversary Celebration at my hometown arena, the United Center.
• 2015 - Mixing FOH for the song Glory at Willow Creek's Global Leadership Summit with Common, America's Got Talent semifinalist Sharon Irving, and the Salem Baptist Church Choir from Chicago.
• 2013 - On location recording in South Africa and Zambia.
• 2004, 2008, 2010, 2014 - Willow events at arenas across Germany.

 Favorite DPA Microphones

1. 4099 - Love these on pretty much anything you can attach them to. It's my go to for when i have strings with a rock band
2. 4080 - best sounding lav i have ever used
3. Headsets - best sounding headsets I've ever used
4. d:facto™ vocal - I have found this capsule to be a great mic for vocals that other capsules have a hard time with. Nice smooth top end that isn't too hyped