Bassist/Sound engineer roll call

D.A.R.K. · #1 08-29-2006, 02:34 PM

hello
there's been alot of threads dealing with different aspects of sound reinforcement lately, amp/no amp, di choices, monitor use.
i know alot of bass players (more than any other type of musician) who end up going into live production.
i currently make my living predominantly as a live/touring engineer.
so, after hearing alot of decent differing opinions on these matters (and alot of, well, foolishness) i'm wondering how many of us have actually gone into live production, mixed live acts, and really understand what it takes to get a decent mix.
mohammad bless all who venture forth into that realm....

paintandsk8 · #2 08-29-2006, 05:13 PM

I'm pretty much second in command of sound reinforcement at my church. Not exactly a touring engineer, I know, but there is still alot of live mixing, with as many as 5 instruments and 4 vocals. Whenever I'm not playing, I'm sittin at the board. I was planning to go the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences (I was accepted and had already visited the area to find an apartment), but I decided the music industry wasn't where I wanted to be.

bigfiddle · #3 08-29-2006, 08:01 PM

A few guys I knew use to ask me to come to their sound checks and or gigs to make sure their sound was right and keep a eye on the sound man. Never thought much about why they ask. As soon as it got out that I had my own PA every one I knew at the time started bugging me to to run sound for them. Guess I could have done it. They all offered good money but I had to tell them all the same thing, " Guys, I'm just a Bassist that likes to do his own sound. That's it."
Seems most of the clubs around have their on PA now anyway. I did however install sound systems, lights and effects in 5 titty bars in the 80's. Also set up the PA's in 3 of the local bars.

iplaybassguitar · #4 08-30-2006, 10:16 AM

i have not yet...but i intend on going to college for such porposes...

D.A.R.K. · #5 08-30-2006, 01:16 PM

thanks for the replies so far, keep 'em coming.
seems the folks with the biggest opinions/confrontational attitudes toward engineers 'round here probably have never mixed a band in their lives. not to be confrontational myself, i just see alot of 'tudes from folks like the engineer is the enemy.
i've seen the same thing/roll reversal on the engineering forums...
i think it makes it much more difficult for everyone involved, and believe that it would benefit everyone to be on all sides of production....

D.A.R.K. · #6 09-02-2006, 12:58 AM

hmmm...as i suspected

Minger · #7 09-02-2006, 01:37 AM

Um, I kinda fit in here I guess. I play bass and do sound for services at church...

W()()D_()nly · #8 09-02-2006, 02:04 AM

i work at a studio and do sound for local shows and churches

so i gess im a amateur sound engineer as weel as a bassplayer.

deaf pea · #9 09-02-2006, 02:24 AM

I think that I fit into the "sound engineer" category having won 2 Grammys and 3 Latin Grammys as a recording engineer! But I don't usually do live sound (except once in a while with my band), only studio recording. BTW, my first Grammy nomination was in 1970 (as a musician) for Don Ellis Orchestra "Live at the Fillmore".

link wray · #10 09-02-2006, 02:59 AM

I've been an sound engineer for live shows for 10 years (i only play bass for 1 year). Not profesional but as a volunteer. Most local clubs in my area are run by volunteers. I used to mix 2-3 bands a week, now only about one every 2 weeks. Most bands that play the club i work for now are foreign: from Russian to Brazilian, from American to Belgian. I guess i must have mixed some Talkbassers as well.... has anybody played the Simplon or ORKZ club in Groningen Netherlands lately? I used to work at Simplon, but the last 5 years i work at the ORKZ club.

D.A.R.K. · #11 09-02-2006, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by link wray

I've been an sound engineer for live shows for 10 years (i only play bass for 1 year). Not profesional but as a volunteer. Most local clubs in my area are run by volunteers. I used to mix 2-3 bands a week, now only about one every 2 weeks. Most bands that play the club i work for now are foreign: from Russian to Brazilian, from American to Belgian. I guess i must have mixed some Talkbassers as well.... has anybody played the Simplon or ORKZ club in Groningen Netherlands lately? I used to work at Simplon, but the last 5 years i work at the ORKZ club.

i love groningen, was there last summer.
i've only been to VERA though...
interesting how alot of the techs are volunteers...
10 years makes you a veteran in my book!

pty-rock · #12 09-02-2006, 11:03 AM

Been a bass player for 4 years. been doing sound just as long.. Do sound for my band (trio) and get hired out to do other band's sounds when I'm not playing.

The business is good enough to have a gig and a live sound job on the same day/night! Thank god I play early...

link wray · #13 09-02-2006, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D.A.R.K.

i love groningen, was there last summer.
i've only been to VERA though...
interesting how alot of the techs are volunteers...
10 years makes you a veteran in my book!

I used to volunteer in VERA as well, as a bartender. Only the bouncers and the programmer get paid in VERA. Most of the cultural and music scene in the Netherlands are run mostly by volunteers with only a few people getting paid.

Petebass · #14 09-04-2006, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D.A.R.K.

seems the folks with the biggest opinions/confrontational attitudes toward engineers 'round here probably have never mixed a band in their lives. not to be confrontational myself, i just see alot of 'tudes from folks like the engineer is the enemy.

I've always said every musician should have a crack at doing sound for a while. Only then can you truely appreciate what a sound engineer has to deal with. Playing in a band is a piece of cake by comparison. As long as you treat your sound guys like the enemy, your overall sound will suffer!

WalterBush · #15 09-04-2006, 12:10 PM

I work in a studio, have a small studio operation of my own, and have been drafted to run live sound repeatedly over the last few years, including a couple of festivals.

I learned from my father, and a guy who ran sound for a major company in the Bay Area, including mixing sound for the ill-fated 1984 Gary Hart presidential campaign.

I tried to make a living running live sound, but it was way too much work for the amount of money I got, and one of the most thankless jobs I've ever had. Everyone seems to think they know better than you how to run sound, especially after they've had a few beers and decide the guitarists' solo wasn't loud enough. No thanks, I get respect in a recording studio, and the money's better. I'm just the knowledgeable go-between for my band and a venue's soundman now.

Dave Martin · #16 09-04-2006, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deaf pea

I think that I fit into the "sound engineer" category having won 2 Grammys and 3 Latin Grammys as a recording engineer! But I don't usually do live sound (except once in a while with my band), only studio recording. BTW, my first Grammy nomination was in 1970 (as a musician) for Don Ellis Orchestra "Live at the Fillmore".

And what a great record! That and Don's "Tears of Joy" were life changing experiences. Good work!

(Oh, yeah - I occasionally do live sound and work in a studio every day...)

Mark Reccord · #17 09-05-2006, 09:16 AM

15 years experience in pro audio here. I spent most of the 90s on tour either mixing or as a systems engineer for a big production company, sometimes both....

If you live in North America (and to a lesser extent Europe) I've probably done a gig in your town.

The ridiculous hours made me decide to move into a different field of work, so I went back to school and did an engineering degree and now I design audio gear and do sound gigs on the side. It's nice to be able to pick and choose my gigs.

agreatheight · #18 09-05-2006, 09:24 AM

I have done both live sound and studio engineering in the past. I don't do much of either anymore. While I love music, I am not necessarily a fan of musicians (attitude, ego and drama aren't really my thing). I still engineer on occassion, doing 5 or 6 sessions a year not including my own recordings (I have a small but fully pro studio in my home). But I only work with musicians that I can deal with. I barely ever do live work anymore - live sound is the single most underappreciated gig in the industry, certainly not worth the money or effort.

Edwcdc · #19 09-05-2006, 10:02 AM

I have been in two bands where I mixed from the stage. It isn't the greatest vantage point but it does save the band a bit of money.

In my current band I do most of the sound work when setting up our small system. Once it is set up we just play and kind of mix ourselves. On bigger gig we have a couple of sound companies we use. Every one in the band is cool and treats the sound man pretty good.
I never have a problem with a sound man that has an "off" night. Sometimes equipment fails, amps blow, channels stop working, and sometimes feedback happens but what are you gonna do.

TL5 · #20 09-05-2006, 10:09 AM

I play bass.
I'm also the Audio-Video Engineer at a landmark facility in town. Most of what I do is corperate or government so I don't mix a lot of bands anymore.