SVT-3 & DI

meycom · #1 06-21-2011, 05:21 AM

Went back and forth about whether or not to post this in the "Live Sound" or AMP section, but here goes. I've been gigging my SVT-3 with a SWR Gothiah Sr.(4 Ohm) for about two years. Now I know many post that they can't get enough volume from the SVT-3, that has not been a problem.
Where the issue lies is every sound crew I work with, and we work with two-three different companies, all are telling me I'm too loud through the mains and stage volume also.
Usually I have my volume about 8-9 o'clock. During warm ups
and sound check it sounds great. I point all to the DI in the back of my rack, set it to Pre, and choose your output level.
If necessary you can also pull it for grounding(hum) issues.
Last week I had our FOH guy come running up to me during our set and tells me you're too loud. I could barely hear myself, so it must have been the mains level.

Any thoughts/suggestions ? I am using a passive P-bass so I'm not using the active db cut...

Gearhead17 · #2 06-21-2011, 01:33 PM

Too loud from where? Being too loud on stage is something you can fix, and being too loud through the PA system is something the sound companies should be able to fix. If the sound crew can not figure out how to turn you down, they are not a sound crew at all. They should be fired immediately.

I can only assume the sound companies are boosting the FOH bass channel volume high enough to compensate for how loud you are on stage. That sounds silly though. The big question here: what are the guitarists running through cabinet wise? Are these small bars or 1000 person plus bar setups?

Your rig may be overkill for the places you are playing and/or the extra low end/stage volume is coming from the guitarists and the sound guys are clueless to that fact. There was a thread in the last month about sound guys freaking out about a bass rig just because it "looked loud/big". Nothing scientific there.....

Usually during a line check, a good sound guy will know right away if your stage volume will be a concern. Running one song through the sound check usually fixes everything.

meycom · #3 06-21-2011, 03:50 PM

I agree with all you're saying, most of the issue is with FOH volume I just don't understand why they have such a problem with my amp & DI. I am only competeing with one guitar player(Marshall 50 twin-mic'ed) but we do have a keyboardist who loves to turn up on stage. This last gig was in a BIG hall, I do have a smaller cab I use in the smaller clubs we play, a SWR 1x15.

Gearhead17 · #4 06-21-2011, 04:22 PM

Is the keyboardist blasting the low end content below 100hz? Does he have a stage monitor or his own rig? The keyboardist may have a "heavy left hand" and be putting out too much low end. Which in turn is making the sound guys think your bass tone is too loud.

Can your band mates hear you just fine? Do they complain about your volume? How well do you hear your bass tone in relation to everyone else on stage? If you are hearing yourself REALLY WELL and everyone else sounds slightly smaller in comparison, then you need to turn down. I usually set it so I can hear myself well, but not too loud over everyone else. It's tough to find that middle ground at times, but if you work at it, you will.

During the sound check, does your keyboard player sound massively loud through the subs? If he rattling the stage on the majority of the notes, that is going to make your life hell.

Sorry for all of the questions, it's tough to figure out what is going on here.

meycom · #5 06-21-2011, 06:16 PM

I have no doubt I am competeing with low end of the keyboard, it's a touchy subject. He has his own amp refuses
to be only DI'd. No one else complains about my volume. No problem about the questions, how else can I get this sorted out and no one else has replied. So cudo's to you for giving me a hand. The monitor mix is always troublesome. Guitar guy always wants a ton even with his amp. We are trying to move to IEM's, maybe that will help.

Gearhead17 · #6 06-21-2011, 07:54 PM

Your guitarist needs to get an amp stand or something to prop his rig towards his ears. It's probably pointing at his knees which leads him to not hearing it so well. Which is why he needs it in the monitor. Plus, if he scooped out the midrange, well, he will have a HARD time hearing his own rig no matter what.

Sounds like your guitar player and keyboard player are the issues here. IEM is probably the best answer. The two of them will be able to hear themselves perfectly without the need of crazy stage volume. IEM is a little extreme though, your keyboardist and guitarist need to keep their volumes in check. An easier way to do it is just have the rigs pointed towards the wall and use the monitors only.

If your sound crews can not figure out it's them over you, I am not sure what to say. They are just terrible sound engineers.

JBNeedsBeer · #7 06-22-2011, 08:42 AM

Try cutting more of the di signal on the back of the amp or just switch it to post eq. If you insist on using your own eq settings, try lowering all of them equally or bringing down the master level on the graphic eq section. On mine, I can never put the di signal above 8:30 because it gets too loud for most sound guys.

As far as your stage volume, you're on your own with that one. IEMs could help.