Soundchecks - are they professional?

[SimonK]

Having a standard pre-agreed half song or chorus to quickly run through after telling everyone in the room what you are going to do seems to be a fairly professional way to do it regardless of who is already there, and saves the back and forth as to what the band wants to play or random jamming (which feels somewhat less professional!).

 

I can possibly see how IEM mixes may not change much between gigs and thus a soundcheck is less necessary, but I don't think I would ever NOT want to do one!

Edited yesterday at 08:45 by SimonK

[stewblack]

On 01/05/2025 at 12:48, wateroftyne said:

Gigging in a pub? Soundcheck 'till you're happy.

Gigging in a ticketed venue? Be done and dusted before they let people in.

...IMO, of course.

This

[ASW]

Thanks for all the replies. It's good to get a balanced view on this.

 

My stance is option 2 i.e. that we should sound check for the best possible sound.

 

What I didn't mention in the original post because it would be clear I was biased one way was the following issues that have occurred:

 

1. Every gig we have at least one person come up to us to say something was too loud or too quiet. This is either between sets or at the end of the gig. The last gig someone said they could hear me for once. It's all a bit soul destroying after the gig is finished to find it didn't sound great!

 

2. We had one gig where we were about to start, the singer raised the fader on the mixer for the vocals and keys and there was deafening feedback for 10 seconds... then a few minutes of fumbling around trying to find the source.

 

3. During the last gig, there was this awful delay effect on the vocals that was very loud, and quite long so it sounded a mess. I don't think the singer was aware as he had only heard what was coming through his monitor which I can only assume had no effects on it.

 

4. Also during the last gig, people at the end said it was too loud apparently. The solution offered was that we turn down a bit for the next gig... but compared to what? How will we remember what volume we were at? I have an active bass, so it has a volume control, bass, mid and treble controls, the amp has a gain control, eq controls and a master volume. There's no way I'm going to be able to remember what level I had the bass at.

 

5. I usually stand at the back, next to the drums, behind a keyboard and guitar amp. I have no monitor so can only hear the main vocals through front of house. It is impossible for me to know if I am too quiet or too loud from this position. It sounds pretty thunderous from where I'm standing next to the amp, but out front, it doesn't sound loud at all. I've no idea how loud it sounds in comparison to everything else.

 

As a generalisation, it seems the people here saying a sound check is not needed are the ones who are very confident with using a PA, perhaps have all intruments going through the PA and may have a person doing the sound. None of that applies to our band.

 

I must say that I very much like everyone in the band and don't want to cause any issues. If the majority don't want to sound check (I appear to be the only one that thinks it's a good idea) then that's fine.

 

You've all given me a few ideas about what else to try. I have a wireless system, so can have a wander during the first song (not sure if that's any more professional looking though). As everyone is not going through the PA, this will be reliant on individuals adjusting levels when directed to.

 

We also have a few people who come down that we could ask to do "sound" (i.e. tell us who needs to go up or down). However, that means trusting someone else's abilities/opinion.

 

Alternatively, we just do nothing different and continue to have sound issues at every gig!

[Lozz196]

Wireless kits imo are essential if doing the sound yourself, at least for one member of the band.

[prowla]

The problem is doing a sound check to an empty hall and then finding out it was different with people in.

[mcnach]

On 01/05/2025 at 12:11, ASW said:

We have a difference of opinion in a  band I'm in and was interested in the general consensus on this matter. I will try to state both side's case neutrally so as not to sway the argument.

 

The scenario is that in the venues we play (pub and social club) there will already be people in the room when we are setting up. The question is whether we should carry out a full volume soundcheck before we start playing. Only the three vocals and keys are going through the small PA. The drums, two guitars and bass are not. The arguments are as follows:

 

1. As there are already people in the room, it doesn't look/sound very professional to do a soundcheck before the gig start, especially at full volume. We will still do a check on each of the instruments individually. As long as we keep the levels the same on our amps gig to gig, then there should not be a problem.

 

2. A full soundcheck should be carried out at all gigs to ensure that the sound is the best it can be. It is more professional to do a 5 minute soundcheck before the gig to ensure all levels are good than it is for the sound to not be balanced or too loud for the whole gig.

 

All opinions welcome!

 

 

option #2, no question

 

Sure, keep it short etc, but you've got to make sure you have a reasonably balanced mix somehow. I'd argue is far less professional to sound like crap.

 

 

[mcnach]

On 01/05/2025 at 13:00, Hellzero said:

Second option, but more as a line check, which should be more than enough, except if the band is an association of puerile egos...

 

With a soundperson at the desk, no problem. They can adjust on the go and get a decent mix by the end of the first song. However, if the band is doing their sound themselves... a linecheck is nowhere near enough: it only tells you you've got a reasonable signal but nothing about the mix. Puerile egos are always an optional bonus

 

[mcnach]

On 01/05/2025 at 18:33, dave_bass5 said:

Now im stuck behind the keyboards i miss being able to do this, and while there are others that could, i wouldn't trust them to listen to anything other than themselves. 

 

Excuses. 

 

Get yourself one of these, man

 

 

 

(I mean the keytar, but if you can afford a Stevie that could work well too)

[mcnach]

On 01/05/2025 at 19:31, tauzero said:

 

 

 

always late to the party, me... :rolleyes:

 

 

[mcnach]

On 02/05/2025 at 09:00, oldslapper said:

I thought a “sound check” was the only opportunity for the guitarist to practice, no? 
 

 

No, they also get all those moments in between songs and when the singer is trying to introduce the next song.

[dave_bass5]

42 minutes ago, mcnach said:

 

No, they also get all those moments in between songs and when the singer is trying to introduce the next song.

And over keyboard parts. 

[Burns-bass]

Today, with my funk/blues/soul band we turned up at 7:15, set up quietly (people enjoying their evening) and at 7:55 ran though half a song. 
 

Once we’d done 30 seconds, we nodded and went straight into the first track.

 

Compare that to yesterday when I did a dep gig and we ran the entire set before doors opened as well as a full sound check.

 

I prefer today!