After a year of running monitors in a concert venue, I'm somewhat surprised by the number of bands who either blow off soundcheck or don't really know how it's supposed to go. To be sure, a lot of bands take it seriously, and are a pleasure to check due to their disciplined approach. A soundcheck is a luxury, and this is just my perspective on how bands can make the most of it if afforded the opportunity.
Before getting into how we do it, here are a few general rules.
Be attentive and don't play with your phone. I will invariably have to return to you and recheck whatever instrument you missed.
Don't talk shop with your bandmates. Yes, the new pickups on your tele are great, but I will invariably have to return to you and recheck whatever instrument you missed. A disengaged band immersed in conversation is a real soundcheck killer for obvious reasons.
Don't noodle around
. When it's time to check your instrument, you can play until you and everyone else are satisfied. Until then, please keep it quiet.
On to the process. The FOH engineer will hit me up on the comm and ask if I'm ready. If I (the monitor guy) am ready, he'll speak into his talkback mic through the monitors and ask the band if they are ready. He'll introduce himself, and say "that's Matt over there on monitors, as we go through this just let him know what you need and he'll dial it in." This is an extremely important directive. Ask me for what you need as we go, and not when we're done going through each instrument!
We'll typically start with kick drum, but the process will be the same for each instrument. If you need kick drum in your wedge or IEM, put your finger in the air. Keep it up until you get the desired level, and then make a fist. If I get it too hot, point down. If you're the drummer, pay attention to your bandmates and don't stop playing until everyone seems satisfied. The FOH guy will ask if everyone is good on kick. If everyone says yes, we move forward.
This process is repeated until everything is checked. Then you'll have a chance to play a song. Don't hesitate to ask me via hand signals for more or less of something as the band plays. Another very important thing: let me know when you're happy by nodding. I need that I've made the proper tweaks.
When the song is finished, please maintain order on the stage. Go one at a time in asking me to make changes to your mix. I will get to everyone, but I need finish one guy's mix before moving to the next. I might have to swap out a cable, get a different DI box, move a microphone...keep your head in the game and be ready to play again if necessary.
If we have time, of course you can play another song. I want this go well just as much as you do.