Bassist vs Drummer? Am I too loud?

TonyJZ · #1 09-07-2006, 10:24 AM

Hi guys,

I started jamming with a Gallien Krueger 400rb 15" combo (180 watts) with my band which consists of 2 guitars, drummer, and I. The Lead guitarist had a Marshall 2 speaker combo amp about 75watts solidstate but does not really play loud...the other gutarist played on a Fender amp about 65watts solidstate. Of coure, when we played inside, we had no problem sound checking...my bass was enough...but we have been practicing outdoors in the outskirts of the city.....so as you can imagine....the whole scenario changed. Basically everyon turned it up a bit when we played outside. The bass when out a little. the fender amp guy...bought a line 6 amp 75 watt and that drowned me out more. I ended up buying an extension cab making my rig a 15" and 4x10 at 280 watts, outdoors!! SINCE then my drummer makes me feel like I am being a prima donna trying to outdo everyone. I am very conscious of my tone too...so I don't distort my bass by pushing the volume... I don't abuse my gear. The marshal guitarist, who happens to be my brother, does not think that I am too loud, he thinks that I am under-volumed....he does not play at deafening volumes either. The fender/line 6 amp guy (who is the son of the drummer) has mentioned before that I am a bit low-volumed too. With the extensin cabinet too! I forgot to mention that we now mic the drummers son cause it was easier to tweak his tone So whats up wit that drummer...or is it me? Even his wife said she could hear me well one time....as I faked through sound having played with my guitar knob at 0....!!! Now you can imagine how he feels now that I am tyring out an SVT4pro and a single SVT4X10hlf cab....I am just exploring my options for headroom......btw....I usually hear the drummer over everone!

Your comments guys are greatly appreciate!

jady · #2 09-07-2006, 10:36 AM

You will lose a lot of bass playing outside. There is nothing for you sound waves to bounce off of. I personally have never been told to turn up!!!! Enjoy it.

In all honesty, practicing outside isnt a really good idea, you will get used to playing at a certain volume (loudly) and you wont be able to hear each other as well. When you play a gig inside, your sound will change dramatically and you'll all be way too loud but say to each other "but my amp is on 7 when we rehearse, why is it too loud now????"

Practice in as similar an environment as you can to what you will gig in.

Dbassmon · #3 09-07-2006, 10:46 AM

Problem with outdoor acoustics is that there is no room to fold back or reflect sound. Ideally, a PA with multiple monitor mixes allows each musician to hear what he needs to. In a small room or club, you can let your ears be the judge and play to each other. Outside, without monitor mixes, you need to set up close together and mix your self as best you can.

TonyJZ · #4 09-07-2006, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dbassmon

Problem with outdoor acoustics is that there is no room to fold back or reflect sound. Ideally, a PA with multiple monitor mixes allows each musician to hear what he needs to. In a small room or club, you can let your ears be the judge and play to each other. Outside, without monitor mixes, you need to set up close together and mix your self as best you can.

The thing is I'm not hooked up to the PA, and the guitarist with the line 6 is. My brother who recently bought a marshall jcm2000 50 watt tube head and a 4x12 cab with 25 watt speakers is not hooked to the PA, but he does not crank it up all the way like most guitarist. His volume is around 2 1/2 and matches his sound to the other guitarist. Most gigs we have played have been outside small festivals or parties.

I am just saying that my drummer acts like I am buying Fleas complete Rig to jam with them. Even with the 280watts and 2 cabs, I sounded weak

morf · #5 09-07-2006, 11:57 AM

Stack a wall of styrofoam behind your cabs

SurrenderMonkey · #6 09-08-2006, 01:17 PM

it's the drummer. He should be the loudest. If he complains, he isn't trying hard enough

Vandelay · #7 09-08-2006, 01:31 PM

Were the drums miked? If not, it's very possible for bass to become a lot louder than the drums when playing outside.

Musicman_17 · #8 09-09-2006, 08:42 AM

if your PA has a sub woffer then you should defenetly plug into the PA, otherwise dont bother upgradeing ur rig, upgrade ur PA, because... when you see a profesional band playing a gig, wether it be outside, in an arena, or in like, a concert hall. there amps are turned down very low, and the drummer is playing fairly lightly (or as lightly as drumers get). and then, everything is pluged in to the PA, thus makeing the audiance deff not you, but, this tid bit, that many of you may or may not already know, is useful to you because when ur at a gig with ur band. and u wana be herd. everthing that goes to the PA is whats herd.everything else dosent always make it through the spectrum. so... my advice to you is to get a sub woffer fer your PA, if you have the cash, and plug into the pa. it works fer me.

also keep in mind, many places that are looking for bands to play there have a house PA thats (hopefuly) compleatwith subs, monitors, and most importantly, mains, wich is good and all, but, if your gona be playing gigs that you guys put on your selfs, outside, in front yard, er w/e, a sub woofer is a good investment. good luck to ya!

TonyJZ · #9 09-10-2006, 09:04 AM

Thanks guys for you comments!!