Live Sound, Simplified: Gene Kim’s FOH Journey with Yamaha’s DM7 Compact

Gene Kim, a highly respected front-of-house (FOH) engineer known for his work with Johnnyswim, Phil Wickham and many others, has made Yamaha’s DM7 Compact digital mixing console his go-to for live sound. Now on tour with Pat Barrett, Gene relies on the DM7 Compact to deliver pristine sound and seamless performance in churches, clubs, and iconic venues like Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

Gene first encountered the DM7 Compact during a Trio acoustic show in LA. “For a compact console, it really helps a front-of-house engineer because the footprint is small, but it’s packed with output capabilities and local I/O,” he explained. The console’s portability, fitting easily into a Pelican case, proved invaluable for Gene, who frequently handles fly dates and mobile setups. “It just makes things really easy.” One standout feature for Gene is the DM7 Compact’s ability to simultaneously handle both FOH and MON duties effortlessly. “It’s really easy to get monitors up and going quickly,” he noted, a key advantage on fly dates where he often manages both roles.

The DM7 Compact’s intuitive design also allowed Gene to handle complex setups efficiently. “There are so many user-defined keys, making it easy to manage layers. I haven’t needed a ton of faders,” he shared. This efficient layout has been especially beneficial for larger band shows with choirs. “The GUI is clear, it’s bright, and the touchscreen is really responsive."

“For a compact console, it really helps a front-of-house engineer because the footprint is small, but it’s packed with output capabilities and local I/O.”

Gene also emphasized an often-overlooked feature of Yamaha consoles: dual power supplies. "It’s not something you immediately think about, but when engineers see two power supplies, it gives peace of mind. If one goes down, the rig keeps running."

Gene was particularly impressed by the DM7 Compact’s onboard processing capabilities, including the reverbs, multiband compressors, and the Rupert Neve Designs’ Portico processing tools. “The onboard reverbs, the multiband, the FET limiter, the U76, and I love all the Portico compressors,” he stated. "As far as sound goes, it’s just really flexible and transparent. I really enjoy that because nowadays with music, you’re often asked to add things. You can’t make something clear and clean on a mic pre with a ton of color. “This transparency allows Gene to begin with a clean slate and have the ability to shape the music to fit the artist and venue. "The console lets you start from a good, clean place, which is exactly what I need.“

On Johnnyswim’s tour, Gene mixed at venues of all sizes. In Nashville, shows ranged from the intimate Bluebird Cafe to the renowned 3rd & Lindsley club and the legendary Ryman Auditorium. “We did the Bluebird, a club show, and then the Ryman—same console for everything,” Gene recalled. “The house guys chuckled when I set it next to the Rivage [the Ryman’s FOH console is a RIVAGE PM5]. They asked, ‘Are you sure?’ I said, yeah, and even mixed the openers. It was a lot of inputs, but I did it. It was great!”

Gene Kim’s experience with the Yamaha DM7 Compact highlights its versatility and adaptability. Whether handling FOH or monitors, Gene consistently delivers high-quality sound in diverse venues, proving the DM7 Compact’s reliability. From intimate church settings to iconic venues like the Ryman, the DM7 Compact empowers engineers to create unforgettable live sound experiences.