At rehearsals, all combos at ear height on tables

[kiat]

(if this isn't the right sub-forum just say!)

The mostly rock band I started playing with in Belgium is yet to gig, so it's all been rehearsals. First time in I noticed the two guitarists had their combos up on tables. I was asked to do the same with my combo (an old Traynor Bloc80). It all looks a bit weird and some of the available tables only have one leg (!), so not exactly the most stable set up

Is this normal to insist on all speakers at ear height?

 

[Lobster11]

It's probably unusual to use tables rather than amp stands designed for the purpose, but the basic idea is to enable everyone to hear themselves and prevent volume wars. If your amp is on the floor behind you blasting at the back of your legs, you are likely to be the one person in the room who can't hear yourself well enough. So, of course, you turn up so you can hear yourself better. If everyone does this, the volume in the room will keep creeping up as everyone keeps turning up so they can hear themselves above everyone else. If everyone's amp is close to and/or pointed at their own ears, everyone can keep their volume reasonable and still hear themselves.

 

[Gearhead17]

No, it's not normal to insist players to have their amp setups at ear height. However, it is SMART to do so. Lobster11 is right on the dot. Amp stands are very helpful for situations like this.

 

[s0c9]

It's not normal.. but will help you monitor yourself.
However, I highly recommend you practice with something that approximates your live set up (assuming you gig).
If not, it will probably throw you off when you do play out!
If you don't gig, then it doesn't matter.

 

[walterw]

However, I highly recommend you practice with something that approximates your live set up (assuming you gig).
If not, it will probably throw you off when you do play out!

good point, but i gotta think that a bunch of rehearsals with everybody facing each other and quiet little amps up on tables for purposes of learning the tunes and getting tight are more important. loud stage volume can cover up a host of bad stuff.

you'd maybe just need one "dress rehearsal" (or maybe "tech rehearsal", is that the term?) with the big amps and set up like you're on stage to figure that part out once the songs themselves are tight.

 

[s0c9]

good point, but i gotta think that a bunch of rehearsals with everybody facing each other and quiet little amps up on tables for purposes of learning the tunes and getting tight are more important. loud stage volume can cover up a host of bad stuff.

you'd maybe just need one "dress rehearsal" (or maybe "tech rehearsal", is that the term?) with the big amps and set up like you're on stage to figure that part out once the songs themselves are tight.

Also .. good point.. I have no issues with quiet practice. For bands who don't gig regularly it's likely more of an issue that they don't practice like they intend to play.
For us??? We USED to practice occasionally to work up new material. But, we haven't rehearsed since July due to schedules. I kinda miss it. We now take songs, work them up and run them at sound check. If they work, we play them that night. If not, table, discuss and re-work the next night. Been pretty successful so far.
YMMV

 

[bigtone23]

good point, but i gotta think that a bunch of rehearsals with everybody facing each other and quiet little amps up on tables for purposes of learning the tunes and getting tight are more important. loud stage volume can cover up a host of bad stuff.

you'd maybe just need one "dress rehearsal" (or maybe "tech rehearsal", is that the term?) with the big amps and set up like you're on stage to figure that part out once the songs themselves are tight.

This sounds like experience talking, I agree 110%.
Have your amp pointing at your ears and adjust for everyone else accordingly.
Get the songs tight and mostly worked out in a non-fatiguing way. Dial them in at stage volume/intensity.