Love

[plankspanker13]

Just gotta give some to the dedicated sound guy who ran our casino gig for us. Typically, with the cats that I play with, we're hired guns who mix & match for the needs of the gig and venue and material, etc. Someone (usually other than myself) is also the PA guy, and provides their own. For a long time, it was the leader/drummer, but he's mostly stepped out front, and we are using a guy who lookse like Steve Howe, but plays like Bill Bruford on a great-looking 7-piece kit, and 2different guitards now. I still get about 5 lead vox turns in a 4-set show, with the guitard getting 2-3. It's still a trio-style band.

Tonight's gig had us using a friend of guitard #2, who has a great PA system that pushed 900W per side to the house through a tweeter, 15" and a Bad End 18" sub, per side. We also had 900W feeding a quartet of 12+T wedge monitors, which hid pedalboards and a lyrics I-pad. He did a really great job of making us sound great to ourselves, and, we are told (as we usually are, because we play tight & hot) that we sounded killer in the house.

I ran my trusty G&L JB-2, fitted with Quarter Pounders and fresh strings, into my pedalboard, which ends at a stereo chorus fed to my VT Bass Deluxe (DI to FOH mix), and the other channel to my Genz Benz GBE400 head, powering two 1x12T cabs with 330w. I used 5 of my 6 VTBD patches (only the heavy distortion was not used) over the course of the night. I had great sound for every song, all night. The definition of the rest of the band, and the vocals was crystaline, and delicious. Naturally, we turned in some blistering performances in quite a few places, reaching high-water-marks that we had not been to in a long time.

I miss our old guitard, and his versatility & great attitude...and he sang 60% of the night. Fortunately, our former #2 is #1, and only a slight step backwards, in terms of versatility and repetoire. He's an equally fine tasty player. Our former #3 is now our #2, and even I have a backup, who will have to cover the St Paddy's gig, since I will be stuck in my office.

Just had to get this all down, while still basking in the post-gig glow with some great "ingredients." A good sound guy is truly worth having around. Had to spread the love.

[walker rosewood]

Glad you had a good experience. I had the opposite experience tonight. I am a good sound guy and made the band sound stellar, but I never get any love from this band.

To everyone, if you appreciate your sound guy tell him! We never get any love and it's such a great pick me up on the rare occasions we do.

[agedhorse]

Yes, when your sound guy helps make it all come together, don't forget their contribution and help. A GOOD sound guy can free the band up to concentrate on playing and take away on stage stress. When you can play out knowing it's all good out front, musically the players can take "artistic chances" knowing that they will be supported (rather than being hindered) by a good mix (FOH and monitors).

I have 30+ years on the pro audio side, and there's nothing like seeing a band play on a really good system with experienced and talented engineers. While I usually mix pro acts, I still enjoy doing less experienced (though still talented of course ) acts and giving them a little pro PA love. Their grins just won't go away for days!