Experimental pedal genius?

jaffbass · #1 08-14-2011, 02:59 PM

I was thinking this afternoon as I walked out of our rehearsal room with my ears ringing from another 5 hour, 3 set turnaround of very heavy metal.
Could I plug some headphones in to the bypass output of my boss tuner? Just so I don't lose the top end frequencies without sacrificing not cutting through or standing away from my amp to be further away from the cymbals or wearing earplugs.
Any fellow pedal fiddlers out there with an opinion?

chessrocks · #2 08-14-2011, 03:48 PM

Could we try that again in English?

FunkMetalBass · #3 08-14-2011, 03:53 PM

You want to wear headphones? It can be done, but it inhibits mobility.

Try getting the band to quiet down first. There's no reason stage volume should be any louder than necessary, otherwise it just ruins the FOH mix. I'd recommend trying to achieve the same volume and EQing for the rehearsal room too. If your ears are ringing every time, it's way too loud.

seanm · #4 08-14-2011, 04:00 PM

No. The tuner is instrument level. Way way way too quiet for headphones.

jaffbass · #5 08-14-2011, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanm

No. The tuner is instrument level. Way way way too quiet for headphones.

I thought it would be, just wasn't sure. Thanks.

"You want to wear headphones? It can be done, but it inhibits mobility.

Try getting the band to quiet down first. There's no reason stage volume should be any louder than necessary, otherwise it just ruins the FOH mix. I'd recommend trying to achieve the same volume and EQing for the rehearsal room too. If your ears are ringing every time, it's way too loud."
It was a thought purely for the rehearsal room, which is quite small and I have to stand between a PA speaker, one side of the drum kit where the cymbals are ear level and my rig. It's not a case of mobility or that we're too loud it's just after 4 hours or so most people tend to start losing some frequencies from their hearing.
I'm fine at gigs as I play for about 45 minutes and standing still is definitely not in my repertoire!! I just wanted to find a way to get past that 4th hour high frequency tinnitus and being able to monitor what i'm doing a little more. Can't stand earplugs so I was thinking about it this afternoon. Hearing is back to normal again after a few hours away from the rehearsal room

chessrocks · #6 08-14-2011, 06:01 PM

You're going to go deaf if you keep doing this.

What you should probably do is get yourself a little mini mixer. Use an A/B or DI to split your signal ... one signal to your amp, and run the other to channel 1 of your mini mixer. Take a "line out" from your PA mixer and run that in to channel 2 of your mini mixer. Use the faders to dial in the right amount of level for yourself (channel 1) and whatever else is coming through your PA channel (channel 2).

Then strap on a pair of isolation headphones, plug those in to the headphone output of your personal mixer, and monitor everything from there.

Direct Sound Extreme Isolation Headphones

If you're standing close to your drummer, then you still won't have any trouble hearing him.

Other equipment:

Personal Mini Mixer
A/B Splitter if you don't already have a DI box or Y-Cable

MuthaFunk · #7 08-14-2011, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chessrocks

You're going to go deaf if you keep doing this.

What you should probably do is get yourself a little mini mixer. Use an A/B or DI to split your signal ... one signal to your amp, and run the other to channel 1 of your mini mixer. Take a "line out" from your PA mixer and run that in to channel 2 of your mini mixer. Use the faders to dial in the right amount of level for yourself (channel 1) and whatever else is coming through your PA channel (channel 2).

Then strap on a pair of isolation headphones, plug those in to the headphone output of your personal mixer, and monitor everything from there.

Direct Sound Extreme Isolation Headphones

If you're standing close to your drummer, then you still won't have any trouble hearing him.

Other equipment:

Personal Mini Mixer
A/B Splitter if you don't already have a DI box or Y-Cable

This seems like a lot but it would work. When I was in the OP's same situation I invested in some custom earplugs for $150 with a 15 db reduction. At the time I could pick between different gain reduction filters but the 15 db ones had the flattest frequency response. Since then I've used them a ton at all the shows I played (mostly when the other bands were on) and even concerts. Because they're custom fit, they are not visible from the front and even hard to see from the sides. I'd highly recommend them to anyone who plays in a loud band or frequents clubs or concerts. Because they have a flat frequency response they work great at taking the edge of loud environments and still allowing you to hear everything as you would without them.

IMO they're worth their weight in gold, so to speak.

chessrocks · #8 08-14-2011, 07:24 PM

It seems like a lot when you see it written out in a post, but when you really get down to it, it's just a few extra cables and a set of headphones.

Compare that inconvenience to the inconvenience of having permanent hearing loss when you reach age 39. Compare the extra couple-hundred bucks it might cost right now .... to the tens of thousands it might cost in doctor visits and hearing aids when you reach your 40's.

I know some of you guys don't think you're ever going to get that old, but ...

seanm · #9 08-14-2011, 07:37 PM

One thing I like about the industrial style earplugs I use is that they attenuate the highs more than the lows. This means I lose more of the guitar and cymbals but can still, sorta, hear the bass. But I am using earplugs rated from 27dB to 29dB reductions.

chessrocks · #10 08-14-2011, 07:43 PM

You can buy special "flat response" earplugs for musicians, that won't deaden the high end. They'll just make everything lower-volume across the board. Pretty cool. Just google "flat response" earplugs.

smllsnd/bigsnd · #11 08-15-2011, 06:50 AM

don't **** with your hearing... get the custom earplugs.
they're one of the best investments a musician (who plays loud or with others) can make. you only really need the 9/15dB anyways, 25dB are good for when you go see a loud band in a big venue...

the plugs do seem to cut out a small amount of highs/lows, but i feel like it has more to do with loudness curves than *actually* attenuating those frequencies. they're also super comfortable and will last many years, probably a lifetime.

rratajski · #12 08-15-2011, 06:57 AM

Take foam ear plugs and cut off 1/3 of the flat end. I've been doing this for years...
Cuts out the shrillness of cymbals, snare, and g****rs and let's the music through without sacrificing tone and sound.
Your ears will thank me.

Ceez · #13 08-15-2011, 12:33 PM

Sounds like you're looking for a way around the ear plug thing but the benefits still outweigh the inconveniences. Plus, there's nothing sexy about a 35 year old man constantly saying "HEH?!", "WHAH?!", or "I'M SORRY?!"

The way I do it is I do a tone check and pedal tweak without the ear protection prior to the whole band making noise. That leaves only the volume to mess with.

The first few times wearing ear plugs are the most difficult. I think, IMO, it's because we feel insecure that we're not playing the right notes or our tone and volume might not be correct. But within time, something cool happens, besides the restoration of your hearing. Your brain gets fine tuned to what exactly the band members are playing without the distraction of the noise! You start playing without losing stage edge! Your hands move confidently! Practices are easier!

The frequencies that I lost I can deal with but I wear ear protection to preserve everything else. No worries anymore.

jaffbass · #14 08-15-2011, 03:44 PM

I'm generally first to set up anyway and I like to start tone searching at lower volumes then it gets louder as the g*****'s start cranking up gradually then I tweak to make sure
they know who's boss while they warm up their pinch harmonics.
I'm not a bass player who likes to run extra gear as I'm on a low budget so I'll probably just run with some sexy yellow ear defenders until my pockets can finance something better!! I've not lost too much of my hearing range, I know that I lose the highend frequencies at rehearsal but they always come back after a while, my better half thinks I should clean my ears out more than once a year but not cleaning them out actually does more good than she'll admit to!
Thanks to all who contributed.

smllsnd/bigsnd · #15 08-15-2011, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaffbass

I know that I lose the highend frequencies at rehearsal but they always come back after a while

eventually they'll stop coming back. seriously.
start saving or sell a pedal if you have to to get good quality earplugs - your hearing is more important than any instrument or effect you own.

chessrocks · #16 08-15-2011, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaffbass

I've not lost too much of my hearing range, I know that I lose the highend frequencies at rehearsal but they always come back after a while ...

Jaffbass, listen to us.

It doesn't work that way. It's not like cutting off a limb where one day you have it and the next day you don't.

It happens very gradually over time, and it doesn't "return." It's not like quitting smoking. Once the damage is done, it's done. And worse yet, it probably won't show up for another 10 years.

One day, you will just be sitting around in front of a pool or watching television, and your ear will start ringing ... and ringing ... and ringing. That will be the sound of another frequency you are losing. Next thing you know, you're going to be getting frustrated with your better half and others ... wishing they wouldn't "mumble so much."

Delayed reaction, my friend. It's quite possible the damage has already been set on it's course. Don't make it worse.

Happynoj · #17 08-17-2011, 01:52 AM

All I can do is add to what these guys are saying. I'm 22 and I'm suffering from hearing damage. I've been playing in bands for 10 years, and for the first 8 I didn't use any hearing protection. A couple of years ago I realised my error and have hopefully stopped further damage, but I'm already suffering. I am constantly asking people to repeat what they've said, and the more other people there are in the room, the worse it is. If I'm in a crowded bar, it's almost hopeless.

You might not think that earplugs are cool, but going partially deaf for the sake of fashion is even less cool.

madmatt · #18 08-17-2011, 02:06 AM

Remember: If you do decide to wear earplugs you have to start the night with them in. If you try playing first without them then try to put them in later you will have a hard time hearing anything at all because your ears will already stressed.

onosson · #19 08-17-2011, 02:16 AM

I concur with all that's being said about long-term damage. I've been playing for 25+ years, and the first few years were at very loud volumes in a basement. Did most of my permanent damage then, and it's still with me. I've learned to live with it, but there was a period where it was very nearly driving me crazy (insomnia, depression). No joke - do what you can to reduce your exposure to excessive volume.