Stage Volume

A question regarding stage volume and miking:
Do you have better results miking everything (which requires everyone to pretty much play at bedroom volume and pushing everything through the mains (or else you get feedback issues) or do you get better results just miking the vocalists and letting the bassist / guitarist / drummer go unmiked.
Think small club, not an outdoor gig.
Do you have better results miking everything (which requires everyone to pretty much play at bedroom volume and pushing everything through the mains (or else you get feedback issues) or do you get better results just miking the vocalists and letting the bassist / guitarist / drummer go unmiked.
Think small club, not an outdoor gig.
Post edited by Joebuddha on
Comments
Never mistake a clear view for a short distance.
i need to hear the vocals, drums & bass. As i do more of this I understand why some acts use in ear monitors. It makes it so much easier to get a good sound out front without monitor bleed.
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The guys in Rush were asked, I believe it was in "beyond the lighted stage" what they considered the most crucial development in gear since the started. They said In Ear Monitors.
Never mistake a clear view for a short distance.
One of the things that I have found in my time is that a lot of players, often the lead guitar or the bass want a great onstage sound which is often to damn loud for the rest of the band. We tend to forget thats its the audience out front we want to give the best sound to, a great balanced sound that is maybe a tad low is better than a hellish wall of mush any day and will get you more gigs.
As for in ear monitors, have to agree with the Rush boys, certainly has helped me no end, well worth the investment if you are gigging a lot, of if you can afford them, just got for it. Rock on.
When I played a small comedy theater that really wasn't set up for rock music, they kept telling me to turn down. When I got to the point where I was turned down as low as I practically could, and it still wasn't enough, they took me out of the PA. And I turned the amps back up.
-- David St. Hubbins.
First question : House PA or your own system ?
75% of the gigs I play we bring " speakers on a stick " . Sometimes we have powered speakers....it all depends on the room . We may mic the bass drum . Other than that VOCALS only .
The 25% " house system " gigs we do the soundman does whatever he needs to . Tonight I'm doin' a gig with a house system . I will play like I always do . The soundman won't tell me how to play . Most of the professional guys know that . On occasion we may rent sound for big rooms but speakers on a stick is the way to go .
Fuck playing at " bedroom " volume . Any soundman stupid enough to tell me I gotta play at 2 watts will not appreciate my reponse . We're not playin' Duran Duran or Jimmy Buffet . I guess if your playin' music written by pussies its ok . Or a wedding band . Or an old folks home . Play Rock n Roll like you mean it . People will be able to tell the difference .
It is speakers on a stick, with subs as well. Right now, I am taking my pedalboard straight into a Fender Champ. It is a passable tone, but it sucks that I spent so much time and effort coming up with my tone and I can't use it because the soundman claims he can't get a mix and push the vocals with my amp that loud.
Ask the soundman ...." If Robin Trower came to play here "........ and see what he says .
If he gives you somekinda bullshit you'd matter of factly tell him Trower would have HIS OWN engineer . Somebody that knows how to deal with guitar players no doubt . My suggestion for working with soundguys that wanna tell you how to play ..... Bring your own guy and let the house guy " watch " .
Sorry dude . The nicer you can be the better . I hate it when the sound guys are incompetent . His attitude will change when a REAL fuckin' soundman walks in a dials your band in the right way .
I have done speakers on a stick as well. As long as I can hear the drummer and the singer I'm fine.
Sometimes depending on the situation to much of the other guys can be distracting.