chrisd783

Hi guys My covers band have recently decided to go totally ampless and put everything through the PA. Our set up is pretty simple, two tops and two bins run through a Behringer x16 Air. Going ampless has given us a much cleaner on-stage sound, far easier to control. I use an XLR out of my Sansamp that sits on the end of my chain, this gives me control over my own EQ etc. We play pink noise through the speakers at each venue and set the graphic EQ using the app depending on the acoustics of the room. This allows us to sound as close to the same across different venues as you can get. I'd never used IEMs before so I was a little dubious. The guitarist in our band has a lot of knowledge in this area so he advised me on which ones to buy etc. I also treated myself to a LD Systems wireless kit for them as well. I was totally blown away by how effective they are. I've recently started doing backing vocals and have always been a little nervous over the mic, largely due to being unable to hear myself through the mix. But with the IEMs I was amazed at how much my confidence increased, the clarity they bring is unbelievable. The X16 allows each of us to control our own IEM mix through our mobile phone independently, it's a really clever bit of kit. I guess the reason I'm writing this post is mainly to help sway anyone who has been thinking of going down the IEM route but have been unsure to go for it, I thoroughly recommend it! Was also wondering what other people's thoughts are regarding IEMs?

Hi folks Bit of an odd one this. Hope this is the right forum for it... Aside from my 'bread and butter' covers band, I run a small ukulele club. We're getting to the stage where we are competent enough to be asked to play at carnivals, fetes etc. Most of us just have acoustic ukuleles ( I usually play a Kala U Bass, so I'm sorted) and I'm looking for a way of amplifying us without a mic for each of us (12 ukes = 12 mics = 12 stands = 12 leads = 12 inputs... you get the idea). I was at a bluegrass festival a few years ago, and I noticed a lot of the bands were using a 360 degree mic that picked up everything really well. I don't know what they're called, or even if that would work for our needs. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

Done, not much but gave what I could. Best of luck to you guys

I'm interested to see if this is also happening in other parts of the country, as in south Wales it's happening more and more! I'm in a four piece rock covers band. More and more I'm finding that venues are asking for duo/acoustic shows rather than full band. This generally involves the singer, the drummer playing a cajon and the lead guitarist on an acoustic. Which leaves little old me out in the cold, unable to gig that night unless a dep request comes in. I've spoken to my band about it and reminded them that I need to eat too, and in fairness they've not taken any more gigs that don't involve the full band. Just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience?

Greetings fellow low-enders I have been toying with the idea of going wireless at gigs, and know precisely nothing about it. Speaking to other musicians who use wireless kits, general reports are positive, with most reporting zero delay. However, a bass-sympathetic guitarist (yes they are out there, you just have to know where to look) said that loss of tone quality is much more noticeable when using a wireless kit with bass than it is for guitar. So my question is, has anyone else noticed this, and if so are then any particular makes/models that should be sought out/avoided? Thanks in advance guys

Friday December 22nd is fast approaching, which for many of us means playing in a pub full of boozed-up people who have just finished work for Christmas. Over the years I've heard horror stories of this night, and gigs close to Christmas in general, with drunk people being idiots and gear, bones and pride often being broken. So I thought I'd start a thread so people can share experiences of this and hopefully get a few ideas on how to prevent any potential problems from people who think they are Rocky/Micky Flanagan/Marcus Miller after a few sherbets. Go!