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First time with a sound guy - any tips?

B

Bradass

Oct 17, 2011
226
10
Tallahassee, FL
www.facebook.com
#1
So we usually run our own sound, or have a friend who knows what they're doing standing by for the first couple songs in case the mix needs to be adjusted. Friday night we are playing a pretty legit venue that is providing a sound guy, a "luxury" we haven't yet enjoyed in our few months together.

I've already contacted him with our input list and questions about the setup and he replied that they have a full set of Beta series mics, JBL mains, QSC subs, and Yamaha monitors, and that we just have to bring amps and instruments. This made me :hyper: cause I'm sick of hauling the damn PA around. They will also be mic'ing the whole drumset and both guitards, and we're gonna DI the bass off my Markbass head.

I use my zoom b3 on about 10 songs for muff, clean boost, overdrive, delay, and a little wah on a couple, with a compressor almost always on for just about every song.

How will using the effects affect the FOH mix?
Do I need to let this guy know which songs I've got effects on for? (Especially when I use the boost for slap and a few solos?)
Should I lose the "always-on" compression in favor of the sound guy putting compression on my bass at the board?
What else do I need to know?
 
#2
if your levels are set correctly, effects will be fine FOH. if you like your compressor in your amp, let him know you have compression already and to only add it to the mains if it needs more.

the main thing you have to do is trust the soundguy. if he says your bass is too loud, turn down. if he says too much bottom, take some out. he hears what the crowd hears and thats whats important.
 
#3
Just quickly stomp on a couple of your pedals during sound check so he can get a preview. Other than that, his equipment list makes it seem as though he is not completely stupid. He should be able to keep things in check pretty quickly for each song. No sweat. Unless he's a jerk, it will be the easiest gig you have done by far. Just set up your rig and ENJOY! At the end of the night, collect money, put your rig in the car, and enjoy no back pain the next day. WIN WIN!
 
#5
Be nice to him first off. And second and third. If you only boost a bit for slap should be no problem, if you have anything where you're boosting more than about +6 dB I'd let him know and let him hear that during sound check. Play actual basslines during sound check, but select ones that expose as much of the range of the neck that you'll actually use during the gig. Don't worry about the compressor too much, he'll use his as he sees fit.
 
#6
Don't play until you're asked to play - in other words, don't start noodling while he's trying to sort a problem with the kick mic.

When you are asked to play, play something you'll actually play during the gig - don't just hit a couple of random notes.

Be as specific as possible when asking for something in your monitor. Don't say, "I need everything;" you'll only look like a tool. Say, "Can I get some lead vocal, guitar, and hi-hat?" Or whatever. Another tip about monitors - less is more. Monitors only have a finite amount of headroom, no matter how good they are, so ask for only what you need (chances are it won't be the toms, for instance).
 
#7
Make sure to use your effects during sound check, give the sound guy exactly the sound you'll be using for the show. The drummer in my band got chewed out at a show this summer for not playing hard enough during the sound check and then causing problems when he was really playing hard during the set. Sound check efficiently and give him what he needs!

And +1 for always being nice to him. In addition to controlling how you all will sound, he's just another guy at work!
 

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