Too loud? Not loud enough??

onosson · #1 12-19-2010, 01:56 PM

I have a problem I run into a lot in live situations, including my gig last night - which prompted me to see what kind of input you guys might have.

It might not be what you think... I tend to play at a stage volume which is apparently "not loud enough" according to some people - including audience members and other musicians whose opinions I trust and respect.

However, from my point of view on stage, my volume is in many cases "too loud" already. I really like to be able to hear the rest of the band clearly and distinctly, which means I try to keep my stage volume at that "just enough" level. The problem is that I am often in venues without PA support beyond the vocals, so my amp is the only source for my sound. (P.S. It's not an amp issue, as I usually don't push my amp much past 11 o'clock)

If anyone else has found themselves in a similar situation, I'm wondering how you guys deal with it? The obvious answer is just to turn up, but that kind of ruins the experience for me, and I'm not able to really lock in with the rest of the band if I'm drowning them out (from my position on stage).

**jmattbassplaya** · #2 12-19-2010, 02:02 PM

What kind of rig are you playing through?

DavidE · #3 12-19-2010, 02:08 PM

From what I'm reading, it sounds like you need to turn the amp up so it's sufficient for the band and the audience, but you don't want it to be any louder for YOU, in your ears.

My suggestion is that you move the bass amp away from you. It's an unusual thing to do, but might be a good solution. If it's a head with a separate cab, you can keep the head by you and run a longer (heavy gauge) speaker cable to the relocated cabinet.

pstyle · #4 12-19-2010, 02:08 PM

It's a crapshoot. My current gigging situation is thru a pretty crappy PA so I don't even bother going thru it. Luckily I have a loud rig (GK 1001rb-II into a 4-ohm 410RBH) so I just crank it and forget it. Usually people in the audience tell me I'm too loud.. I'll adjust it from there.

BroKenSticKs · #5 12-19-2010, 02:08 PM

Your problem is that you don't have pa support. Your idea of running your amp at the just enough level is perfect practice when you're running through the pa but if your amp is also responsible for providing sound to the audience you need to approach it differently. Try playing louder but stand further away from your amp if possible.

shawshank72 · #6 12-19-2010, 02:16 PM

I used to have that problem and yes I agree, it isnt an amp issue. The way I went about it was experimenting with speaker placements and where I stood in relationship to my rig. I used to put my rig about 5-7 feet behind me and stand directly in front of it, but when I turned up my stage volume it was an onslaught of sound that made hearing the rest of the band too hard. Nowadays I put my rig at an angle pointing out towards the center of the venue while I stand a few feet off to the side of the sound path and found a good distance to be out in front of the rig and it has worked fantastic. Not all shows I play are PA supported either, when with PA I go back to my original sound levels and placement. When without I go to my new adjustments. Hopes this helps at all, it worked for me.

onosson · #7 12-19-2010, 05:29 PM

Part of my problem is that some of the places we play have very little room to set up in, so I'm forced to be very close to my amp.

I usually run a Marshall 410 bass cab (rated for 600W at 4ohms) and either a Hartke LH500 (my current favorite) or a GK RB700II (480W). I've played a lot of large venues in my time (most of the arenas across Canada), but over the past decade have stuck more in the local scene rather than touring (having a family will do that to you...) Getting LOUD is no problem... I just prefer not to be overly loud!

My solution is usually to try and get a good stage sound, and hope that the rest of the players I'm working with are as accommodating with their own sound ... but we all know that doesn't always work out!

faulknersj · #8 12-19-2010, 09:16 PM

Yout amp should be adjusted and set at a level optimizing the experience for the AUDIENCE, not yourself or the band. Next gig during soundcheck, go out front where the audience will be and adjust your settings to sound good out front. When you start to play, don't give in to the temptation to tweak things, RATHER, understand that THAT is how your rig should always sound. You will get used to it and your band will sound much better. Give it a whirl