Experience, not volume, defines good live sound, says David Peter

Sound engineer and music director Peter Sunday David says calm leadership, discipline and a strong technical foundation remain the difference between excellence and chaos in an industry where live performances allow little room for error

Peter, who has been a band leader for Nigerian pop start Teckno for 10years noted that managing pressure during live productions is less about last-minute reactions and more about years of preparation and self-mastery.

“Pressure management comes from experience, training and inner discipline,” David said. “Staying calm under pressure is vital. Simplicity, clarity and confidence allow effective leadership in high-stakes environments.”

Having worked across concerts, orchestras, churches and large-scale productions, David believes the ability to remain composed under intense conditions is what separates professionals from the rest. He noted that live events demand quick decision-making, but without panic, as the audience often senses instability long before technical failure becomes obvious.

Beyond performance execution, the music scholar is also focused on long-term impact within Africa’s sound engineering ecosystem. He says his work increasingly centres on knowledge transfer and sustainability, especially for younger engineers navigating a fast-evolving digital landscape.

“My goal is to bridge the gap between analogue foundations and modern digital technology,” he explained. “I take young engineers back to the basics, helping them understand where the industry started, where it is now and where it is headed. That balance is essential for sustainable excellence.”

David argues that many upcoming engineers are skilled with modern digital tools but lack grounding in analogue principles that shaped contemporary audio systems. According to him, understanding both worlds creates versatility and prevents technical dependency.

Describing himself beyond the consoles and stages, Sunday identifies first as a trained musician and scholar. His journey began at the MUSON School of Music before advancing to the University of Lagos, where he specialised in jazz drums and percussion.

“I am a music scholar and practitioner,” he said. “Music is both my profession and my lifelong passion.”

Over the years, his career has cut across orchestral performances, studio production and live sound engineering, with collaborations spanning artistes such as Waje, 2Baba, King Sunny Ade and Made Kuti, among others.