I've always thought a 'player' SHOULD know something about sound engineering, and in doing so, it helps you to be better equipped in picking A GOOD engineer, to work with, as much as possible...preferably the same one! You have to be able to respect his abilities, and his knowledge. He, in turn should learn or know, that there is different personalities in his 'players' who pick the instruments they play...and allow for it, to be free to mix the best mix, and NOT give into, the demands of the individual band members! Once you have him, then just as Max said, earlier, consider him as one of you! To tell you the truth, 'playing' a good board, takes as much sensitivity, to the music, as a 'player' does, in playing it!!!

As an experienced composer, writer, musician, recording artist, and sound engineer...through a few years, and having worked with some 'A' musicians, you, as a player, or engineer MUST keep in mind, it is the SONG...not the individual's chops, that you're looking to lift up. there is always time to give individual players, their turn..but it is the SONG, that must come through!!

A few notes, that I use, to set levels: On the 'high end' I want to HEAR the drummers stick HIT the cymbal, followed by the sizzle. On bass, the bass roll-off should NOT mush up the warm mid tones. Yes, you can actually HEAR the fingers, and expression in the bass...it's in the mids! Vocals: I find in EQ-ing, I lower the mids of the instruments(bringing the bass up from the bottom, then lowering the mids, after capturing the 'warms' just above the bottom, so the voice comes through with clear presence. As far as the vocals, remember this, the human voice is the only instrument on the planet that can pronounce words...PRONOUNCE THEM CLEARLY!!...DISTINCTLY...and NEVER hide behind 'style'. Hold only vowels, and 'bite off' consonants.

In large auditoriums or concert halls, when you do your sound check, and its all perfect, raise the 'high end' a tad, because when the seats fill up, you lose highs a bit, because the surface area has changed, from an empty auditorium!...(and it will sound sorta 'muffled').

Sound engineers unspoken rule, is 'separation and placement'!!!..everybody crystal clear!

Vocalists: Tend to throw attitudes sometimes, this is because, being as their egos propel them, they often know LESS about music than their support musicians!...so to compensate, they may be 'exacting' with some attitude...so be sensitive to that, in order to get a good mix!
....and for God's sakes, vocalists, sing with believable EXPRESSION! Become the character to who your song is real, rather than USING the song to make YOU real!

On performing: IF you are 'self conscious' YOU WILL make mistakes! Be the voice of God, singing THROUGH your humanity, (God Conscious), and you will even blow yourself away!!...with NO mistakes!

Lastly, for this post, music is an expression...not a competitive sport! With all that in mind, and an open trust and respect for your engineer, you should be able to achieve a great delivery of every nano-second of the piece....trust me on that one!!!

Once again, as Max said, your engineer is one of you. A good one can 'play' his board, just like a 'player' plays his ax!

Regards!

GfS