E
ecc83
Well-known member
When I was gigging we ALL went thru the same 50W Carlsbro combo!
Dave.
Dave.
ashcat_lt
Well-known member
Frankly, I think everybody involved needs to act like they give a fuck how the whole thing sounds. In any reasonable sized venue the soundguy's job is to: a) make sure the PA is installed and working and 2) reinforce the sound of things that need it.
A 100W amp doesn't need it. Until the room starts to get really big, a decent acoustic drum kit doesn't really need it. These things are specifically designed to "hold their own" in decent sized venues. I wouldn't bother to mic Greg's amp unless he got an attitude about it, and even then there's no point actually cracking the fader.
But there are hacks and assholes in every aspect of it. Whether its the egomaniac who knows better than anyone else, or the clueless fuck who just wants to rock, or the bored dinosaur who's just there for free drinks and maybe a chance to get laid. You'll find them on the stage, behind the mixing desk, behind the bar, and all over in the crowd. Personally I take it seriously but not too seriously in whatever capacity I find myself. I try to foster the idea that we're all part of a team working to provide a singular experience to our audience. It's nice when we also make money.
If it was all up to me, every venue would have a nice set of drum triggers, a number of DI drops, and licensed copies something like EZDrummer and PodFarm. The bands could design their personal backlines on the venue's website. Every aspect of the production would be smoother and easier and with a higher chance of ultimate success. It ain't gonna happen any time soon...
A 100W amp doesn't need it. Until the room starts to get really big, a decent acoustic drum kit doesn't really need it. These things are specifically designed to "hold their own" in decent sized venues. I wouldn't bother to mic Greg's amp unless he got an attitude about it, and even then there's no point actually cracking the fader.
But there are hacks and assholes in every aspect of it. Whether its the egomaniac who knows better than anyone else, or the clueless fuck who just wants to rock, or the bored dinosaur who's just there for free drinks and maybe a chance to get laid. You'll find them on the stage, behind the mixing desk, behind the bar, and all over in the crowd. Personally I take it seriously but not too seriously in whatever capacity I find myself. I try to foster the idea that we're all part of a team working to provide a singular experience to our audience. It's nice when we also make money.
If it was all up to me, every venue would have a nice set of drum triggers, a number of DI drops, and licensed copies something like EZDrummer and PodFarm. The bands could design their personal backlines on the venue's website. Every aspect of the production would be smoother and easier and with a higher chance of ultimate success. It ain't gonna happen any time soon...
G
Greg_L
Banned
I agree with that in principle, but the reality doesn't totally hold true with most rock music. The size of the room does matter, but what really matters are the people in it. Human beings milling around totally changes things. You can have a big bingo hall with a band and if no one is in there you won't need to mic anything. Pile a bunch of people in there and things change. An unmic'd kit in a populated space doesn't carry to the back of the club. Those fuckers shooting pool back there will only hear the snare and cymbals. Sure, I could blast my 100w amp and fill the room with a holy sound, but then you won't hear anything else. You'd really have to mic the kit in that scenario. As fun as that sounds, I would never do that. I'm a big believer in stage volume and balance. I'm just having some fun with the super sensitive overly defensive sound guys in here. Miking things, even in small clubs, is a good thing IMO. I just wish sound guys could handle it competently.
Lt. Bob
Spread the Daf!
I do a solo act most of the time and I mic my guitar amp even for those.
It's not really to provide volume though ...... it's more about spreading the sound out. In the small venues I often play, the people right in front of my amp can hear it a little too well if I don't watch out but their bodies block the sound from getting further out into the room so mic'ing it spreads the sound out via the PA.
lol ...... although I have a nice amp collection, 3/4's of my gigs I just use an 5 watt Epi Valve Jr. head thru a 10".
For band situations I really consider mic'ing things to be a requirement for the same reasons. Not always to be louder but to spread the sound.
I actually play guitar in the band of a monumentally good harp player around here and he uses no mics on anything. He doesn't even mic his small harp amp.
We really watch the volume and it works but I prefer to mic things up if you have an even semi-competent soundman or if I'm mixing from the stage.
It's not really to provide volume though ...... it's more about spreading the sound out. In the small venues I often play, the people right in front of my amp can hear it a little too well if I don't watch out but their bodies block the sound from getting further out into the room so mic'ing it spreads the sound out via the PA.
lol ...... although I have a nice amp collection, 3/4's of my gigs I just use an 5 watt Epi Valve Jr. head thru a 10".
For band situations I really consider mic'ing things to be a requirement for the same reasons. Not always to be louder but to spread the sound.
I actually play guitar in the band of a monumentally good harp player around here and he uses no mics on anything. He doesn't even mic his small harp amp.
We really watch the volume and it works but I prefer to mic things up if you have an even semi-competent soundman or if I'm mixing from the stage.
PDP
There once was a note
The only reason Bill Wyman got into the Stones was cuz he had an AC30, everyone else was playin through modified radios, etc. Its in the Keith Richards book, which was a surprizingly fun read.
Seafroggys
Well-known member
Legitimate question about live sound, since this thread has totally derailed 
I see what Greg is saying in the last post, but really, I've seen sound guys mic up EVERYTHING even when there's no need. Like its a smallish room and they mic up the guitar amps and drums. Seriously, as a drummer I can keep up with a 100 w half-stack unmiked, at gigs where I don't even play full volume because of roomsize, they still mic me. I'm just curious why sound guys bother. Wouldn't it be easier just to mic the vocals and dedicate the PA to make clear sounding vocals, which seems to never be the case at any amateur gig in Portland.
I see what Greg is saying in the last post, but really, I've seen sound guys mic up EVERYTHING even when there's no need. Like its a smallish room and they mic up the guitar amps and drums. Seriously, as a drummer I can keep up with a 100 w half-stack unmiked, at gigs where I don't even play full volume because of roomsize, they still mic me. I'm just curious why sound guys bother. Wouldn't it be easier just to mic the vocals and dedicate the PA to make clear sounding vocals, which seems to never be the case at any amateur gig in Portland.
Farview
Well-known member
Part of he Mic everything approach is to spread everything out and add a little throw to the music. guitar amps are loud, butbthey are pretty directional, so throwing a little in the pa helps everyone hear it better, instead of just the people in front of the amp.
Micing the drums also lets you get some more thump in the subs, which people tend to like.
From time to time, I've tried to pick up live sound gigs in some of the places that I run sound for bands that hire me. It's pathetic what those guys get paid. One place wanted me there from 5pm to 3am for $60! No wonder the house sound guy at that place isn't very good and has a shit attitude.
Micing the drums also lets you get some more thump in the subs, which people tend to like.
From time to time, I've tried to pick up live sound gigs in some of the places that I run sound for bands that hire me. It's pathetic what those guys get paid. One place wanted me there from 5pm to 3am for $60! No wonder the house sound guy at that place isn't very good and has a shit attitude.
bouldersoundguy
Well-known member
I'll mic the kit so I have options like putting some reverb on the snare, even if I don't put the snare in the mains. Often when the snare is too loud a little reverb takes the edge off.
solo2racr
SUCK, SQUEEZE, BANG, BLOW
I wanna be his sound guy. 