krispn

In light of this and some other threads about live mix/sound advice I've started a thread actvely asking my fellow BC'ers in Edinburgh to come and offer some constructive criticism on my bands live sound. It could be fine out front but we have an ongoing volume battle between vox-fiddle-guitar and I'm not convinced the mix is right out front either. It's nothing that a grown-up conversation and some mild ego checking would likely fix but as in most bands we'll let the public decide! Here's a link to the post with a bit more background as to what I feel might need addresssed and ideally on this occasion comment on my poor technique, lack of finesse and gerenal all round hamfistedness should be addressed in a caring and sensitive fashion [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/265322-edinburgh-bcers-come-and-give-advice-on-our-live-sound/"]http://basschat.co.u...our-live-sound/[/url]

Been reading the recent threads about live sound mixes and peoples experience of a bad live sound. As with so many of these things actually hearing the band is far better than talking about the mix so with that in mind! [b][i]I hereby actively encourage my fellow BC'ers in Edinburgh to come listen to my pub band and offer constructive feedback on our sound. I'd even implement the changes before we return for the second set to try out the fix around.[/i][/b] [u]The problem?[/u] We have guitar and fiddle, one vocal as well as drums and bass. There is a ongoing discussion about stage volume - fiddle too loud then guitar cant hear, then guitar too loud [i]ad infinitum[/i]. I think you are all familiar with that script! We dont soundcheck per say as the venue usually has music or sports on (prior to us going on/starting) via the house PA so we get a quick blast via the on stage monitor - our singer/guitarist is also our 'sound man' and uses the metering lights on the desk as a guide for volume. [u]The other problem[/u]! I say 'sound man' The singer claims to have been a 'sound man' in the past and while I don't doubt he's done many a gig as sound man I'm not convinced we have a good band mix- recently I discovered he didn't know what/how the semi-parametric EQ worked on his desk after continued feedback issues on a gig. I managed to mitigate the problem but I'm not sure I can fix our whole mix! Thing is it might sound great out front and its just a stage volume thing. He continually thinks new gear or better gear is the answer but we've recently eastblished he had no idea how to wok the BOSE LMII he bought and how to set up a good fiddle sound, effectively use compression and EQ etc or how to work the mids - he thinks boosting EQ is the answer while I say flat EQ or narrow Q cuts or tasteful broad band boost. Also I'm not sure he knows where anomalies in sound might be happening - like tuning out feedback with the semi-mids for instance or reducing boominess from his acoustic guitar [u]Solutions?[/u] I've chatted about getting the fiddle and guitar out of each others sonic territory so there isnt a volume based 'turf war' waged every time they gig. I've brought up the importance of their own sonic space and we'll work on this at rehearsal next week with trying some eq settings with the mids, recording having a listen back, then tweaking again record, play repeat etc while keeping a record of setings. He plays a Variax guitar/POD 500 into the desk and we're gonna look at simplifing his pre set sounds with hopefully an even volume across patches as this could be a contributing factor - using a volume pedal to 'judge' volume for different patches just seems so unscientific and hard to do after the ear fatigue kicks in. Our fiddle player has bought a decent EQ/Di but was going into a BOSE 'brain' from the LMII he has for duo gigs but it might mean we can refresh her sound with this new kit. [u]Your mission if you choose to accept it[/u]! So.......our gigs are free to enter, the bar is usually quite busy with lots of attractive men and women dancing and enjoying themselves but we've established often the punters don't care for sound rather just a familiar track to boogie to. So come one come all- make it an official meet up for our Edinburgh Chapter and collectively have a chat with me at our break. I promise to listen attentively and put all constructive comments to good use in the second half!! Our upcoiming dates are listed below - this isnt a come to my gig scam but a genuine appeal for some advice and constructive criticism from people who have (hopefully) informed opinions! Our next full band gig is the [i][b]24th July, Finnegans Wake, Edinburgh-10:30pm[/b][/i] I've abt 5 August dates too but I'll revisit the post closer to the time and resend my appeal. I welcome advice, tips and and general know how!

There is a Lakland JO5 on sale on in this very forum with an active preamp which is ridiculous value at £590- I mean crazy good value! It's worthy of a look and no it's not mine

Good work fella! I just got myself a Classic M212 recently and it's a winner. Handles the 5 stringer so well nice and so light!! So are you up on the artist page already and how do we go about getting a amp/cab deal 😉

looks like they've pulled it from the iPlayer

I keep looking at stuff and then immediately play my 4 or 5er and the gas subsided...just! I'm not sure how long I can hold off tho......

I should have a loop pedal kicking about if you need a lend to try that out in your set up.

If your 'smaller board' could fit a looper which you could then patch in the other board as and when? Might be a solution which would be, dare I say it, less hassle?

If it's the Baron Model T I recall a guitar shop had one which thay couldnt shift - had a managers special sticker basically saying make us an offer! It was a fine playing bass with a mids 'boost' control. I just thought it was a bit big in the body tel bass style but i'm only wee so it might be a good fit for ya?

I'd have swung by your gig this weekend but I'm off up north but keep me posted when your playing again and I'll come have a listen. It's a fine looking bass and judging by the sheer quality of the two NBD threads these guys are worth checking out!

I may start pushing for two channel bass di on my regular gig

Next rehearsal take one song where you lock in and try a couple of takes with different sounds (have maybe 3 or four different eq settings and write them down) - try another song with those same various settings record it all on you phone if you can (or all of you can) listen back with headphones and sus out what it is you're liking or disliking about the sounds as a band and specifically as the bassist - have the others do this too. An important part of being in a band is having a sound -collectively- knowing where you'll fit in the mix. At least one or two rehearsals should be spent working on that if you're kinda into sounding as good as you can. I'm sure the OP has an idea of what he likes but that kinda has to balance with the other instrumentation. Example In my covers band the singer/guitarist who claims to be have been a soundman for years thinks turn up the bass is what a bass needs in a mix but totally neglects the mids - what they mean to a mix, how they impact on the tone of the band or how cutting frequencies in this reigion can mitigate feedback and let all instruments be heard and have thier own space to breath in a mix. He only recently realised the desk he uses has a sweepable mid channel and a volume for that channel and couldnt figure out why the fiddle kept suffereing from feedback! To be fair he's a bit of a chump Bottom line is use rehearsal time to experiment - its a known thing that P basses sit well in a mix because of their mid's as much as their bass....or join a dub band Good Luck sir!