Don't know where else to ask...live band mixing question.

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JSCRyan

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Band practice is getting too loud. Our drummer is too loud, and therefore we have to turn up the amps and the sound system too much to compensate. We have two mains, but we obviously can't turn them up real loud without feedback. So, i'm getting monitors. Two cheap Kustoms, from Musician's Friend: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=guitar/s=amps/search/detail/base_id/127064

Well, I'm considering at least. My question is, will even these be enough? Are they such low quality that I probably shouldn't buy them?

Thanks.

(P.S. We're working with quieting the drummer down as well, so it's not like this is just a quick fix. lol)
 
It could help, but if you're in a small room, there may only be so much you can do. Having additional speakers will definitely increase the overall level from your system.
 
Make sure the drummer has bottom heads on the drums, this quietens them a little and maybe use lighter sticks, at least for practice sessions. Bringing the other volumes up to match a drummer will often cause a drummer to play harder (louder) which will cause you to turn up even more, it's a viscious cycle. Drums sound a lot louder from the front than they do from where the drummer is. It has been my experience thet rather than turning up, turn down. Your overall sound quality will be better and this will cause your drummer to develope more style and quality playing rather that strength. I almost forgot, by all means add good monitors to your system and everyone will benefit from it.
 
This may be obvious, but make sure you have eq's on your mains and monitors. Having 31 bands to pull out feedback and increase the gain is essential, unless of course you have no feedback problems.
 
What are you running through the PA? In a smaller room for practice, you might want to consider just micing the vocals and leave the rest to the amps. Or possibily move the equipment around so everyone can hear the amps and PA more easily - this way it will seem louder w/o actually pushing more air. I would try rearranging the room before spending more cash on extra volume. More monitors could mean more feedback too.

I agree with Dani in turning down the amps and letting the drummer compensate. It can be done.

Bryon
 
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