Advice needed on DI/mic

[G3Mitch]

Ok, So I have had a browse through here, and have sooort of found my "answer", but not really.

I haven't gigged at a venue through a PA since 2009, and since then have become really involved in effects and such, and I'm a little worried about these being heard the way I intend. Also, reading up in this part of the forum has me a little concerned about issues with soundmen when wanting to be mic'd.

Since my last band, I have become extremely fussy over tone etc, a couple of years ago I wasn't particularly fazed aslong as I could hear myself(I wasn't using the Ampeg rig back then and would always DI, or let the sound guy do whatever he wanted)

Currently I am using an Ampeg Portaflex 500w head, through an Ampeg 6x10HLF cabinet, which is PLENTY loud. Also using a fairly big pedalboard for a bassist which includes using delays for volume swells, and several dirt pedals that are an essential part of my tone, and contribute quite significantly to the sound of the band.

Again, after reading up on here, I have come to the conclusion that I would ideally like to be mic'd, as we won't be playing large venues, and I have alot of volume coming from my amp from stage.

I suppose I don't have a specific question, maybe just some advice on how to approach this situation, concerning stubborn sound guys, stage volume being heard/being to loud, maybe what to do if I have no choice but to DI? If I went straight out from my amp head while still running my cab, would the effects/tone still be heard properly through the PA.

I do own a Sansamp BDDI, and own my own amp mic.

Apologies for the large post, but I wanted to get everything covered so anyone who can help doesn't need to ask me much.

THANKS!

 

[gricko]

bring your mic and your mic stand
if FOH still insists on DI, offer PF500's.
or go w/ blend of mic and amp's DI.
sansamp also has quite capable DI.

 

[G3Mitch]

Thanks, I was just curious as to whether the effects and tone would be altered that way... Yes the Sansamp is alot of my tone, but also the 6x10 produces alot of that aswell.

 

[Dave W]

If you take a DI from the head or the SA you're not going to get the tone of your cab. However, keep in mind that no matter what you do you're still at the mercy of the soundguy. He may mic your rig and then EQ it the he needs it for the room which may sound absolutely nothing like the way you want it to sound.

The only real way around this is hiring your own soundguy.

I've used a DI with effects many times, it used to be my main rig. I found that it worked very well, but certain things do sound different. It wasn't too difficult to tweak everything to my liking though.

So to answer your question, yes...things will be altered. That doesn't mean it's bad, just different.