- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Low-Volume Gig Tips?
Posted on 9/8/20 at 2:12 pm
Posted on 9/8/20 at 2:12 pm
I play in a 5 piece band, mainly classic country and southern rock. Most of our gigs are private and outside, we're playing a restaurant/bar and grill gig on Oct 2 and will need the volume to come way down from what we're used to. Any tips or tricks for a decent sound that won't rip anyone's face off?
BTW, there is potential for this to be a fairly lucrative, steady gig if we don't piss anybody off.
BTW, there is potential for this to be a fairly lucrative, steady gig if we don't piss anybody off.
This post was edited on 9/8/20 at 2:21 pm
8
Posted on 9/8/20 at 3:25 pm to bgoodwin
As a drummer who's played my fair share of gigs in volume-sensitive environments, I've come to believe that it starts with me.
If I'm hitting hard, the guitar amp volume starts to creep up...and I can't hear myself, so I play harder...and the cycle continues until the vocal mics start feeding back and the FOH turns to mud.
I know that I have to be able to drive the band while playing with extreme touch. It makes those "quiet" gigs more fun for all involved.
If I'm hitting hard, the guitar amp volume starts to creep up...and I can't hear myself, so I play harder...and the cycle continues until the vocal mics start feeding back and the FOH turns to mud.
I know that I have to be able to drive the band while playing with extreme touch. It makes those "quiet" gigs more fun for all involved.
Posted on 9/8/20 at 3:47 pm to bgoodwin
Get the drummer some hot rod style sticks. Everything should follow volume suit from there.
Posted on 9/8/20 at 4:01 pm to MudCatMatt
Drummer is solid, 30 years of gigging behind him. He plays Hot Rods or brushes on ballads and such, he has several kits and is planning on trimming down for this one. I'm actually least worried about him. I'm pretty comfortable playing whatever volume the gig calls for, just gotta get the other guys fully on board.
Posted on 9/8/20 at 4:03 pm to bgoodwin
Get the drummer to a minimalist kit. Bedroom amps and have whoever is working the sound bring it up from nothing during the intro.
Sounds like it is better to be a little bit quiet on this first one than try to turn down.
Sounds like it is better to be a little bit quiet on this first one than try to turn down.
Posted on 9/8/20 at 4:06 pm to Ace Midnight
This place just opened in June and they've been having solo and duet acoustic acts since then. We're the first full band hired, and need to make a good first impression.
The room isn't really small, but the ceiling is low. We went there on karaoke night a couple of weeks ago and the crowd was pretty rowdy for a restaurant on Smith Lake. We might be cranked by the end of the night, when the Natty Lights kick in.
The room isn't really small, but the ceiling is low. We went there on karaoke night a couple of weeks ago and the crowd was pretty rowdy for a restaurant on Smith Lake. We might be cranked by the end of the night, when the Natty Lights kick in.
This post was edited on 9/8/20 at 4:12 pm
Posted on 9/8/20 at 8:10 pm to bgoodwin
(no message)
This post was edited on 9/22/20 at 7:38 am
Posted on 9/8/20 at 9:53 pm to bgoodwin
switch drummer to a cahone or a small kit with brushes and a blanket in the bass drum. This is the key. You have to get the drums down to a reasonable level. A good drummer can play to the size of your room and not blow people's ears off.
Everything else you can just turn down, especially guitars with a low gain overdrive or a clean boost.
My band has struggled with this problem in the past, causing us to often resort to using a cahone because our regular drummer refuses to play softly.
Everything else you can just turn down, especially guitars with a low gain overdrive or a clean boost.
My band has struggled with this problem in the past, causing us to often resort to using a cahone because our regular drummer refuses to play softly.
This post was edited on 9/8/20 at 9:54 pm
Posted on 9/9/20 at 6:08 pm to bgoodwin
Everyone is dead nuts on about minimizing the drum volume. Everyone needs to check their ego. Small bedroom amps that you don’t need to rev to get a real tone out of. Live without much for monitors. Every bit for you is something less for the house. Small rooms can be a zero sum game as the frequencies build up.
Experiment with moving the main vox position around if possible so you can get the vocals out without bleed from the stage. I’ve sold many a vocalist to move stage right or left in tricky rooms.
Experiment with moving the main vox position around if possible so you can get the vocals out without bleed from the stage. I’ve sold many a vocalist to move stage right or left in tricky rooms.
Posted on 9/9/20 at 9:40 pm to bgoodwin
In addition to all the other drum suggestions, I'd add cutting felt strips and installing them between the heads and rim.
Something like this. #
Snare and tom(s) top side. Bass front and back. It's all I had to work with many years ago and it helped a bit. Gotta be more diligent in tuning though. Just some thoughts.
Good luck with y'all's gig.
Something like this. #
Snare and tom(s) top side. Bass front and back. It's all I had to work with many years ago and it helped a bit. Gotta be more diligent in tuning though. Just some thoughts.
Good luck with y'all's gig.
Posted on 9/10/20 at 6:17 am to bgoodwin
Learn every song on Willie Nelson's Stardust album.
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News