700w amp rig can't keep up with guitars.

[njones89]

I think you know what needs to happen. I think most of the TB responses are to take care of yourself. Tinnitus sucks bad for musicians. Especially when you just want to go to sleep and you've got that irritating ringing in your ears. No matter what, post a follow up later. My bet is most of us would like to find out things turned out good for you. The sad thing, I know the area you're at is tough to find quality people. I was West River for a while and there was nothing there.

I think I am just going to record my tracks and post them with an ad for musicians. I want people to join *my* band and I want to be the bandleader. I am willing to drop bass and play guitar instead. I am willing to just do vocals. As long as I find quality people who want to play the music I want to play. Sadly, that's probably not too realistic if I am not paying support musicians, but maybe there is somebody out there who will hear my stuff and think FINALLY, this is what I have been waiting for.

 

[TheReceder]

I think I am just going to record my tracks and post them with an ad for musicians. I want people to join *my* band and I want to be the bandleader. I am willing to drop bass and play guitar instead. I am willing to just do vocals. As long as I find quality people who want to play the music I want to play. Sadly, that's probably not too realistic if I am not paying support musicians, but maybe there is somebody out there who will hear my stuff and think FINALLY, this is what I have been waiting for.

I think you're on the right track. Even if you don't find exactly what you're looking for, you're not in a position where making music is turning into your own personal torture. Playing with guys like that is an easy way to end completly burned out, and having the dreaded gear sale on Craigslist. Personally I've gotten to the point where playing good music with good people is more important than playing the exact style I like. But then again, it's getting harder and harder to find quality polka metal musicians.

 

[Aidenn7]

the solution can be simple or complicated. depending on you view of the problem. the band is the problem all of you. cause each play for yourselves. and not as a band.. a bad mix is more than instruments. it's often the people making music in combination with PA guy.. if you wanna play with them... you better change your tone.. can they aren't changing their tune.. Boost you mids.. Increase the number of speakers.. Simple as that.

 

[bherman]

I think I am just going to record my tracks and post them with an ad for musicians. I want people to join *my* band and I want to be the bandleader. I am willing to drop bass and play guitar instead. I am willing to just do vocals. As long as I find quality people who want to play the music I want to play. Sadly, that's probably not too realistic if I am not paying support musicians, but maybe there is somebody out there who will hear my stuff and think FINALLY, this is what I have been waiting for.

Sounds like a rational approach. Last rock band I played with, when I turned up for the first rehearsal I was surprised that no one brought an amp. Everyone (guitar, keyboards, rhythm guitar, bass, 3 vocals) plugged into a small mixer board into 1 powered speaker cab. The BL's take was, "we're here to learn songs, not play loud and listen to guitar solos". Live shows were a different story, but there's no excuse for loud at rehearsals.

 

[4SG]

For this case, however, it sounds like your amp isn't the problem, but rather your sonic competition in the band.

I haven't read through all 12 pages of this post but I doubt you'll find a more insightful observation than voided3's. Deafening bandmates are inconsiderate, unproductive and uncool. If they can't or won't get that message I'd be looking for a new band.

 

[chadds]

I think you're on the right track. Even if you don't find exactly what you're looking for, you're not in a position where making music is turning into your own personal torture. Playing with guys like that is an easy way to end completly burned out, and having the dreaded gear sale on Craigslist. Personally I've gotten to the point where playing good music with good people is more important than playing the exact style I like. But then again, it's getting harder and harder to find quality polka metal musicians.

Think that's hard, try finding quality polka funk musicians.

 

[mcnach]

Not a myth. Fact by every streatch of the Live Sound imagination. Show me a credable soundman that does live sound that agrees with the myth.
Headphone technology is a different subject, and not all head phones cover the 20 hz to 20 khz fequencies

Take your pick. Any will do.

 

[mcnach]

You need to pump some air to compete. 10 inchers ain't gonna cut it. Get a 2x15 or so. My current gigging cab is a 18x1, 10x2. No problem defeating loud idiots. And yes, always wear protection.

You're right about moving air... but 10" speakers are just fine, the diameter means nothing by itself. Use enough speakers and you'll get the sound levels required, whether it's with 10" or 5" speakers (See Phil Jones cabs... they aren't quiet or lacking bass)

+1 on ear protection. Once your hearing is gone, it's gone.

 

[mcnach]

Not area, volume.

Exactly.
It depends on how much a given speaker can move. The column of air it moves is a function of the diameter, but also of the third dimension (how far it moves)... It's the volume of air displaced that matters.

 

[JimChjones]

Before you walk, why not just try turning your amp ★down★ to a sensible level that you can play at without destroying your ears. If they carry on at ear bleeding volume without paying attention to their inability to hear the bass then you know you're not in a band, and you know exactly where you are.

 

[mcnach]

Another issue you might be having is if the rehearsal space is small the guitarist will win everytime. Bass frequencies especially lower frequencies need space to develop. If your ears are ringing from it being too loud, so will your audience. Its not worth hearing loss. I would tell them to turn down, I like my hearing or I would pack up and ship out. Good luck

Bold type: no. Just... no. Seriously. No.
But I agree about the rest.

The OP probably has all the info he needed by now. The band is too loud... it's ridiculous to rehearse at those levels, what's the point if you're unlikely to appreciate any issues except for very major timing and note errors? Play at a lower level, you'll hear everything better, and you'll be able to detect issues to work on as a band, which is the point, right?

Earplugs are a must. I love music, and I want to continue enjoying it. Finding the right earplugs is a revelation, as you can totally enjoy playing and hear everything... just avoiding ringing ears.

In addition to the volume... the EQ is important. Bass can get boomy easily. Turning the lowest lows down can actually make the bass sound fatter and better defined and clearer. Using an adjustable HPF can be very useful (I set mine, depending on the room/stage to anything between 30 to 80Hz). In addition, if your amp does not waste energy amplifying those energy-eating low frequencies, it'll run cooler and you may even find it gets louder as the power is used on more useful frequencies. Mids are your friend, especially low mids for a punchy and fat bass that hits you hard. Turning the mids down and using the contour control is a sure recipe to get lost in the mix, no matter how high you turn the master volume... but, anyway, this has already been discussed here a few times so I'll shut up now.

OP: I hope you find a more suitable band soon. That one sounds like a nightmare.

 

[Downunderwonder]

Communication using waves

Physics
Frequency, wavelength, amplitude and wave speed
You need to know about these quantities used in waves - what they mean, the symbols used for them and the units used to measure them.

View attachment 2914426
The amplitude, a, of a wave is the distance from the centre line (or the still position) to the top of a crest or to the bottom of a trough. Be careful with this quantity - the centre line is not always given in a diagram. Amplitude is measured in metres (m). The greater the amplitude of a wave then the more energy it is carrying.

The wavelength, λ, of a wave is the distance from any point on one wave to the same point on the next wave along. (The symbol is a Greek letter, 'lambda'.) To avoid confusion, it is best to measure wavelength from the top of a crest to the top of the next crest, or from the bottom of a trough to the bottom of the next trough. Wavelength is also measured in metres (m) - it is a length after all.

The frequency, f, of a wave is the number of waves passing a point in a certain time. We normally use a time of one second, so this gives frequency the unit hertz (Hz), since one hertz is equal to one wave per second.

Don't get confused with this quantity frequency. It is not a distance travelled by waves, nor is it a speed, although it is linked to both of these quantities. For water waves and sound waves the unit hertz is usually good enough but radio and TV waves have such a high frequency that the kilohertz (kHz) or even the megahertz (MHz) are better units.

• • 1 kHz = 1,000 Hz
  • 1 MHz = 1,000,000 Hz

The speed (or sometimes you might see it called velocity) of a wave, v, is how far the wave travels in a certain time.

Wave speed is measured in metres per second (m/s).

All the electromagnetic waves travel at 300,000,000 metres per second (3 x 108 m/s). Sound travels at about 340 metres per second.

Copy out the following table and complete it to give you a summary of these four important quantities used in waves.

Quantity Symbol Unit
amplitude
wavelength
frequency
wave speed

In the following diagram the waves move from left to right and then stop. The motion of the waves lasts for 2 seconds.

View attachment 2914428

Sound waves are all fully developed from their source. There is no analog to sound in a rope snake.

 

[mikewalker]

So true!! I've always been in reasonable volume bands (except for the excessive 80's), but being near the cymbals has taken it toll. Thank goodness no tinnitus, but I've lost a lot of highs.

Heavy ride cymbals especially! Dibs on stage left for me, nowdays...

 

[Korladis]

Heavy ride cymbals especially! Dibs on stage left for me, nowdays...

My drummer uses ride cymbals as crashes.

 

[dmccombe7]

The problem is NOT that you aren't loud enough, the problem is that they are too loud. You can't fix stupid.

Brilliant quote "You can't fix stupid" says it perfectly in my book too.

 

[lfmn16]

Brilliant quote "You can't fix stupid" says it perfectly in my book too.

Good old Ron White.

 

[denhou1974]

I personally wouldn't spend a bunch of money just to keep up with those fools.
Raise your cab up to ear level. Stack it on a dummy cab or a box or something.

Wear your $#%& ear plugs.

 

[bdplaid]

Here's the voice of experience! Great reply.

Believe me it is. Last night the guitarist on my side couldn't bring his 412, instead brought a Vox 112 combo. Everything sounded better. But then, I also had this:

 

[JimChjones]

I trust you said "Dammit man, your guitar sounded good tonight"

 

[Paulabass]

View attachment 2914739
Believe me it it. Last night the guitarist on my side couldn't bring his 412, instead brought a Vox 112 combo. Everything sounded better. But then, I also had this:

Is that a cutting board your pedals are on? If so, brilliant, you can make sandwiches on the other side!