In the world of live music, the unsung heroes of every performance are the sound engineers who ensure that every note, beat, and melody reaches the audience with precision. Today, we’re shining a spotlight on Christopher A. Rakestraw, a seasoned sound engineer from Nashville, TN, who has been making waves behind the scenes for some of the biggest names in the industry.

From Nashville to Global Stages

Christopher’s career includes working as the monitor engineer and music director for the legendary heavy metal band Megadeth. For the past two years, he’s been on tour with the band, ensuring that their iconic sound is perfectly balanced, night after night. Christopher’s experience also includes working with the renowned rock band The Fray, showcasing his ability to manage audio across different musical landscapes.

Finding the Right Sound

For Christopher, finding the ideal in-ear monitors was a journey. It wasn’t until he tested a variety of options at NAMM 2024 that he found exactly what he needed. The moment he tried the Da Vinci IX, with its great isolation and perfect fitting, he knew it was the right fit.

 “These sound exactly like what I want to hear,” he recalls. “I didn’t realize what I was missing until I tried them.” With a snug fit that provides -26dB isolation, he now experiences the kind of clarity that’s essential for making precise adjustments during live shows.

A New Level of Precision

The effect was immediate. “The first day back on my show file, I heard so many things I could do better just by having a more accurate in-ear,” Christopher explains. With the right tools in place, he’s been able to get his work to the next level, fine-tuning the audio experience for both the band and the audience.