spinynorman Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 In the past I've tried several effect pedals, didn't really get on with any of them and got rid. More recently I bought a Big Muff (green), but it's still not working out. The problem is, I set the pedal and amp up before we sound check, it all sounds great. In sound check, it's fine. But when I come to use it in the gig, it sounds completely different and I don't like it at all. The problem then is there isn't an opportunity to change the settings - it's on the floor and I'm concentrating on playing - so I never find out what would work. We play a lot of quite small places and I suppose there's a difference in acoustic between the half empty room when we set up and the full one when we play. So I need to compensate when I set up. Does anyone else have this? How do you deal with it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 What you need to do is see if you can do an extended soundcheck/practice in one of your venues where you'd gig. What sounds good on your own usually sounds gantin in a band mix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citymariner Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 (edited) It's how it is sitting in the mix - other stuff is interfering etc. With stuff like that I always walk into the audience space with the pedal on (particularly distortions/ gains/ fuzz) and get the band to play a song that I'd use it in. Does it still sound good from the amp or are you DIing. I find that the effected signal that is sometimes sent to the FOH can sound very strange compared to what is actually coming out of your speakers. Edited November 16, 2011 by citymariner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 [quote name='citymariner' timestamp='1321478223' post='1439766'] It's how it is sitting in the mix - other stuff is interfering etc. [/quote] This. I tried loads of overdrives and fuzzes before settling on the ones that sounded right in the band. Because our drummer had a very mid-heavy sounding kit (ie taking up all my space!) certain pedals just didn't cut it at gig volume. Obviously some pedals are more versatile and can be tailored to suit but some have very specific voicings which don't fit every player/band. I bought and sold most of them on here so didn't lose any money when trading them to find out which ones suited me the best, that's an ideal way of doing it. Pedals can be an expensive and addictive hobby! Now I've narrowed my board down to the minimal pedals I need to get the sounds I want at gigs. When you get a keeper you know about it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 How's it sound at rehearsal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinynorman Posted November 17, 2011 Author Share Posted November 17, 2011 I only use it on a couple of songs, the first of which starts with solo bass, so I don't think band mix is the issue, though it's a problem I'm aware of. It's ok in rehearsal, but then there's more opportunity to adjust the settings and there's no audience to affect things. We're typically not on a stage, so I think the room filling up changes things. Also I wonder if I just play with more attack in the gig than I do before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MB1 Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 (edited) MB1. Can't say ive had any experience of Big Green Muffs? .i know....I'll get me coat! Edited November 17, 2011 by MB1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 Looking at your rigs, have you got them raised up so you (& your audience) can hear them clearly? Sound reflections bouncing off walls is a lot clearer than getting absorbed by folks legs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 I get my pedals set right at rehearsal and then leave them at gigs. If I need to make a change at gigs, it's to my whole sound, so I do it on the amp's graphic EQ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
civictiger Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 At gigs your volume is automatically louder - thus more gain going into your amp. The only change you can get really to get it sounding good for gigs is to do a soundcheck at a gig, and change it after the song, or mid song while the band still plays.. and then when you play to the audience you'll have the tone you want. This will also usually carry on to work with other gigs aswell. Also, if you are DI'ing with your amp, your getting the flavour of the amp in the signal, and not just the pedal flavours. If that makes sence. I get a much better tone (especially with effects) if I DI out of my pre-amp rather than my amp.. but then again I have a crappy amp! I only like it cause I can drive the hell out of it, cause I get all my tone out of my pre-amp anyways.. the amp is just volume for me, really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 [quote name='civictiger' timestamp='1321622211' post='1441301'] At gigs your volume is automatically louder - thus more gain going into your amp... [/quote] I don't have my amp any louder at gigs than I do at rehearsal. If anything I have it quieter to keep on stage volume down. Obviously this doesn't apply where there's no PA support Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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