I started going to a local Open Mic for the last few weeks. I was starting to feel better with using the stage monitors. That was until last night. A major disappointment. Several things happened but the biggest issue remains me getting the mix set and allow me to relax and focus on just singing/performing the song. Based on last night, those in the audience would never have guessed I had practiced the songs many, many times - some times with a mic sometimes without. And while I may not be the best judge, a few of those times were pretty good, if I do say so myself but not last night.
At the Open Mic, in between performers, the sound guy (great guy, helpful, supportive, patient, etc) works to get the next performer plugged in, set up and then adjust the monitor mix to the performers preference. Maybe I have been lucking out and getting a good mix in the past but last night I must have really messed this up. I don't blame anyone other than myself. But clearly I need some pointers as how best to do this. And mine should be simple - and will be - once I figure it out. In the meantime..........ugh!!!
I have only a mic and my mp3 player as input. Nothing else. I want the mix right and I want the volume right. I felt I was getting a handle on this but I'm back to square one. I need to understand the very basics so I can practice at home, understand what I want and then be able to communicate this to the sound guy (what to communicate, how to communicate, all the very basics). I see some guys doing sound checks on the mic to set the mic level, as an example. Should I set the mic level first, then bring up the backing track and then the volume? Does it matter? Seems logical but at this point I tired of experimenting without some direction.
Thank you.
I had this at the tail end of a related string but decided it would be best to start a new post. Sorry for any confusion.
At the Open Mic, in between performers, the sound guy (great guy, helpful, supportive, patient, etc) works to get the next performer plugged in, set up and then adjust the monitor mix to the performers preference. Maybe I have been lucking out and getting a good mix in the past but last night I must have really messed this up. I don't blame anyone other than myself. But clearly I need some pointers as how best to do this. And mine should be simple - and will be - once I figure it out. In the meantime..........ugh!!!
I have only a mic and my mp3 player as input. Nothing else. I want the mix right and I want the volume right. I felt I was getting a handle on this but I'm back to square one. I need to understand the very basics so I can practice at home, understand what I want and then be able to communicate this to the sound guy (what to communicate, how to communicate, all the very basics). I see some guys doing sound checks on the mic to set the mic level, as an example. Should I set the mic level first, then bring up the backing track and then the volume? Does it matter? Seems logical but at this point I tired of experimenting without some direction.
Thank you.
I had this at the tail end of a related string but decided it would be best to start a new post. Sorry for any confusion.