I just realized, I have a Zoom B9.1ut it's huge but has lots of modeling and DI out. Hmm.. it's freakin huge, but I don't need it in front of me.. thanks for reminding me about that.
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I had a B9.1ut...yeah it was huge. I sold it and have been much happier with the B3 FWIW...still, you could try it and see if that-type of thing works for you.
We started with one shared channel and IMO, it just doesn't work. I really think you NEED at least a few mixes Maybe one for guitars and one for drums/bass. But things really REALLY came together when we each got our own mix.
We are pushing out 4 IEM mixes through 2 wireless transmitters. We put Mon1 into transmitter 1 Left, Mon2 into transmitter 1 Right. Then Guitar1 has a custom little cable that takes the left signal from his receiver and puts it into both his ears. Guitar2 gets the right channel piped into both ears. We get by with 2 transmitters for the 4 mono mixes. Actually the drummer has gone wired recently so we have an extra wireless channel we can use for special guests.
Nice.. and I see it has DI out as well.. Wish I could try one of those out as well to find what I like. I had tons of fun with all the effects on the B9 but found I don't use them live.. at all. I could change amp/cab sims for tone variation, but I'm just not an effects guy ( yet ).
On my Shure IEM system I have 2 channels. Technically, I could run my bass or vocals into one channel and then have a monitor mix into another. If you only have one monitor mix, this is a good way to get "more you". I think most modern systems have that feature. The transmitter has an out for that channel so that is where your bass would feed the board.
I don't use many effects and with certain basses I don't even use amp emulation (just a bit of a compressor). I am just looking for efficiency...decent preamp/tuner/di....quick and easy set up/tear down.
You got that right.. Last weekend it was awesome. My RH head fits in my cable etc bag no issue. Set up and tear down was so easy. Silent stage makes it WAY easier for our friend to fader jockey the gig with an ipad. Full control over all sound. the bars we play LOVE that we have that control over the volume and we can play nicer smaller spaces most rock bands cant handle.
I may try the zoom tonight/tomorrow, or Saturday I'll just use the MXR.. but I will miss having a compressor.... hmm the Mackie DL1608 has one per channel. Wish I had time to experiment with it.. but I'd rather have all my tone come from my preamp/pedal if I go this route.
I do have some funny plans to make our cable boxes look like 8-12" deep 2x12 cabs. Bring in all the gear in them, then stack them along the rear of the stage as props. After the gig, we pack up into our "cabs". It would be partly in jest, partly practical. Get in and out ASAP. I think it would be hilarious and work well.
Thanks for the posts, you gave me some ideas to try.
I have a Mackie DL1608 also. Used to do sound for the band at smaller places but now with seven members it is best we use a soundman with a few more channels. I bet the MXR will be fine.
That would be pretty funny...I remember bands actually using wooden Marshall facades back in the day LOL.
Sounds like you already got things down...PA's have come a long way...it's different without having to rely on stage monitors/amps, but yes it works way better for mixing no doubt.
That would be pretty funny...I remember bands actually using wooden Marshall facades back in the day LOL.
Sounds like you already got things down...PA's have come a long way...it's different without having to rely on stage monitors/amps, but yes it works way better for mixing no doubt.
i played an outdoor gig one time the opening acts all performed through a second PA old school.... amps on stage mic,d.The headliner was Sammy Kershaw his deal was all ampless.To me it sucked you could tell the musicians didnt like it.Talked to a couple of them after the gig they hated it only doing it for the pay cheque
s0c9
Supporting Member
it's much like tube vs solid state, IEM's vs wedges,
A matter of taste, opinion and experience.
zoom B3 to the board for me. I use the SABDI with the ids up and was using an SVT SIM but switched to a Hark 3500 with 4x10 sim and loved it so much more. I always a Hartke guy.
Post gig report from last night
1) we had 3 special guests come up. 2 different friends come up and play guitar and sing a couple songs each. And a friend that plays harmoica came up for about 4-5 different songs. When we have guests, we have a powered wedge monitor so they can hear themselves. One of our guitar players doesn't really like the in ears so he used the wedge all night. It was so loud I couldnt hear my in ears well. For a few songs it's OK, but all night it was really rough. if you go quiet onstage, in our situation everyone needs to be on board. he thought it was great.. of course he did. He had his own mix blasting and filling the stage.. not good for everyone else.
So right now I can think of 2 solutions. we get him onboard with the IEMs only except for guests, or 2 I finally shell out for really high quality IEMs custom molded for maximum sound rejection. Regular earbuds.. triple flange tree, foam, none have done a good enough job isolating all the outside sound or keeping a great seal to keep me hearing great range. As they slip even a little, I lose most of the bass and I seem to hear nothing but treble.
Because of that, I really don't know how my MXR sounded, but I'm guessing it was fine.. it was fine at practice, so I assume it sounded the same.
So far sound is all constant tweaking. What sounds fine at rehearsal at low volume just doesn't translate to high gig volume. all the mic bleed etc. I'm not discouraged, but its a battle to get it working great. Sometimes it feels like the music is the easiest part of playing out.
1) we had 3 special guests come up. 2 different friends come up and play guitar and sing a couple songs each. And a friend that plays harmoica came up for about 4-5 different songs. When we have guests, we have a powered wedge monitor so they can hear themselves. One of our guitar players doesn't really like the in ears so he used the wedge all night. It was so loud I couldnt hear my in ears well. For a few songs it's OK, but all night it was really rough. if you go quiet onstage, in our situation everyone needs to be on board. he thought it was great.. of course he did. He had his own mix blasting and filling the stage.. not good for everyone else.
So right now I can think of 2 solutions. we get him onboard with the IEMs only except for guests, or 2 I finally shell out for really high quality IEMs custom molded for maximum sound rejection. Regular earbuds.. triple flange tree, foam, none have done a good enough job isolating all the outside sound or keeping a great seal to keep me hearing great range. As they slip even a little, I lose most of the bass and I seem to hear nothing but treble.
Because of that, I really don't know how my MXR sounded, but I'm guessing it was fine.. it was fine at practice, so I assume it sounded the same.
So far sound is all constant tweaking. What sounds fine at rehearsal at low volume just doesn't translate to high gig volume. all the mic bleed etc. I'm not discouraged, but its a battle to get it working great. Sometimes it feels like the music is the easiest part of playing out.
So what ear buds are you using? I accept that some people can't get a good seal with any generic buds, but there are a few tricks. I use the foam ones on my Westone UM30's. I had to experiment with different sizes and found I need two different ones (smaller in my left ear). I roll the foam between my fingers before inserting and then use this technique, This video is for hearing protection plugs, but technique is the same.
I use the same IEM system. I give my bass it's own channel so I'm always loud and clear. the rest of the band mix thru the other IEM channel. Our band is completely ampless. Each member gets their own IEM mix. I run sound from the stage. Not always easy but we manage. We get great compliments on our sound and stage volume is non existent.
I use the IEMs that came with the Shure setup but my audiologist took ear canal impressions and was able to get me custom inserts that work with the IEMs. Whoa, incredible world of difference with tight seal.
my stage gear all fits in the sound box: wireless receiver for bass, tuner, Sansamp to the mixer. Set it and go.
An update from the OP--IEM is a gift from the GODZ!! Or deaf guitarist is now singing in key (and dammed if he don't sound like the doppelganger of a young Billy Gibbons!), no more mix whine from our illustrious primadonna, I'm a low end-heavy player (we are a power trio after all) and am not missing a single subtone, and now I actually know the lyrics to The Seeker, which our guitarist sings. It all used to sound like mumble-mumble, even through the nice Yamaha wedges....
We're actively thinning some gear, especially stage cab weight, really makes for a nice clean boogie floor!
The planning is going on for some impressive looking dummy cabs, but I don't think this new generation of kids would notice if they aren't there....
We're actively thinning some gear, especially stage cab weight, really makes for a nice clean boogie floor!
The planning is going on for some impressive looking dummy cabs, but I don't think this new generation of kids would notice if they aren't there....
