Looking for some answers about gigging without amps and everyone wearing IEM's.
First, Volume Control. Yeah, yeah, I know it's a virtual slider on the board. What I mean is:
a) in normal gigging, the drums are the typical volume level around which everyone else sets volume to achieve a good mix. A good drummer raises and lowers dynamics in accordance with the tune and band adjusts as appropriate.
b) unless playing on a digital set, the drums are the only instrument that are acoustically loud without amplification.
So, with everyone going direct, the only stage sound left is the drums. But, if the drummer, along with everyone else is in IEM's; then the drummer's reference is whatever IEM feed they are getting vs the acoustic volume, since the IEM is pretty much acoustically isolating. We have a younger somewhat inexperienced drummer in the band. One thing I notice is that the IEM feed appears to be providing an inaccurate reference to the drummer for his level; such that he has more of a tendency to pound. So, the question is how to get the drummer in IEM's, while retaining his/her sense of the overall mix level. If that makes sense.
Second, Small Gigs. The question above is somewhat irrelevant for larger loud gigs, where you can let the drummer pound, and it doesn't so much matter because the FOH output makes the drum level moot. But, what happens in smaller clubs that don't want the band blowing their patrons out the door. How do you use IEM's in small clubs? Again, I know there is a volume knob; but, as above, that doesn't apply to the drummer.
One of my current gigs is dead set on everybody playing ampless. I was originally in favor of learning to gig this way. But, I am having trouble with the practical aspects in small venues with a young drummer who is still learning, and now wearing cans such that his awareness has become isolated to the IEM feed. Any suggestions? Thanks!
First, Volume Control. Yeah, yeah, I know it's a virtual slider on the board. What I mean is:
a) in normal gigging, the drums are the typical volume level around which everyone else sets volume to achieve a good mix. A good drummer raises and lowers dynamics in accordance with the tune and band adjusts as appropriate.
b) unless playing on a digital set, the drums are the only instrument that are acoustically loud without amplification.
So, with everyone going direct, the only stage sound left is the drums. But, if the drummer, along with everyone else is in IEM's; then the drummer's reference is whatever IEM feed they are getting vs the acoustic volume, since the IEM is pretty much acoustically isolating. We have a younger somewhat inexperienced drummer in the band. One thing I notice is that the IEM feed appears to be providing an inaccurate reference to the drummer for his level; such that he has more of a tendency to pound. So, the question is how to get the drummer in IEM's, while retaining his/her sense of the overall mix level. If that makes sense.
Second, Small Gigs. The question above is somewhat irrelevant for larger loud gigs, where you can let the drummer pound, and it doesn't so much matter because the FOH output makes the drum level moot. But, what happens in smaller clubs that don't want the band blowing their patrons out the door. How do you use IEM's in small clubs? Again, I know there is a volume knob; but, as above, that doesn't apply to the drummer.
One of my current gigs is dead set on everybody playing ampless. I was originally in favor of learning to gig this way. But, I am having trouble with the practical aspects in small venues with a young drummer who is still learning, and now wearing cans such that his awareness has become isolated to the IEM feed. Any suggestions? Thanks!
