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Stage Volume and Direct Guitar
One guitarist and one vocalist are plaguing me with their audio-related questions...
Hi.
HI, JOSHUA!
I sing in a very loud rock band.
I USED TO DO THAT MYSELF, WHEN I WAS A YOUNG WHIPPERSNAPPER!
BUT ALL THE PEOPLE BOOING AND THROWING THINGS MADE ME WORRY THAT I WAS WORKING UP TO A FATE SIMILAR TO THE ONE THAT OUR BROTHER DIMEBAG SUFFERED!
SO, I WISELY SWITCHED TO SITTING BEHIND THE MIXING BOARD. MUCH SAFER!
So... of course they complain that I don't sing loud enough, but I know that a lot of the problem is the stage volume.
WELL, SURE IT IS!
We are turning down more on stage and it is helping, but I was wondering if there's a certain type of microphone that works well in a live situation for a quiet singer fronting a loud band? Or, any other tips on bringing my vocals out of the mix would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Old Soundman
- Joshua
YOU'RE WELCOME, JOSHUA! I RECOMMEND THE USE OF A HYPERCARDIOID MICROPHONE. THIS HAS THE ABILITY TO REJECT THE DEAFENING HIJINKS OF BIG-HAIR BILLY ON BASS AND JIMMY JERK-OFF ON GUITAR. ALSO, TURN THEM DOWN IN THE MAINS IF THEY ARE ALREADY RAKING THE ROOM WITH THEIR STAGE VOLUME.
WHAT IS THIS, THE WEEK THAT MUSICIANS WRITE IN TO ME?
Hello OSM
HELLO, ROD!
I am not a sound guy.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE, THEN?
I am a guitar player. I play in our Church band. I am having trouble getting a good distortion sound. I usually play through a Marshall amp but cannot use an amp at Church. All the musicians plug
directly into the board.
THAT IS UNUSUAL!
UNLESS YOU ARE WEEZER OR GARBAGE.
(THEY USED TO GO DIRECT, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY STILL DO.)
My setup is a Les Paul > Boss ME33 multi effect unit > GT2 sans amp > Behringer Ultra GI100 DI box > board. I know I can't get my sound to sound like my Marshall but I would like to get something smooth that will cut through the mix. All I am getting now is a harsh and thin sound. Do you have any basic guidelines on what EQ settings I should start with to smooth out the sound with out getting drown out. I know it will take some time to get the sound I'm looking for but I don't know where to start. Do you have any advice.
Thanks
Rod
TURN DOWN THE HIGH END, MY YOUNG FRIEND.
I AM SHOCKED THAT YOU COULD NOT FIGURE THAT OUT FOR YOURSELF!
LOSE SOME 2K, SOME 5K, SOME 10K.
OPEN UP SOME 150, SOME 200.
DON'T PUT IN THE HIGH-PASS ON THE CHANNEL!
LUV –
- THE OLD SOUNDMAN
