It sounds like the rest of the band has already destroyed their hearing. That would be a cliff I'd be unwilling to follow them off of (dangling preposition pun). Hearing loss is no joke.
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Gig Report. My ears are destroyed.
- Thread starter TreySonagras
- Start date
Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
- Oct 31, 2006
- 12,122
- 16,794
- Disclosures
- have been on nationally released albums, charting on the Billboard 200
Totally annoying and totally unprofessional. Also totally unacceptable. I would never play with people like that.
When I find myself in that situation, I keep my stage volume really low and in between songs I say, "can you guys hear me?" or I'll say "guys, I can't hear myself at all" and start acting really passive aggressive. Usually works.
When I find myself in that situation, I keep my stage volume really low and in between songs I say, "can you guys hear me?" or I'll say "guys, I can't hear myself at all" and start acting really passive aggressive. Usually works.
I just finished playing a weeks worth of shows at Daytona beach bike week. My ears are blasted probably beyond repair.
It wasn’t the band however. We played a very controlled and reasonable stage volume.
It was the damn sound company. They seem to think that the only method to get the sound of the people is to have it painfully loud. It was so loud that I could not distinguish pitch and was singing from muscle memory
On set breaks I went outside and walked down the street to check out other venues and they were all the same. Everything ridiculously loud with no definition.Even the outdoor bands were painful to listen to from across the street.
Normally I would use in ear monitors to protect myself but in this case, having no control over my levels and trusting the soundman was not an option so I went with standard floor wedges
It wasn’t the band however. We played a very controlled and reasonable stage volume.
It was the damn sound company. They seem to think that the only method to get the sound of the people is to have it painfully loud. It was so loud that I could not distinguish pitch and was singing from muscle memory
On set breaks I went outside and walked down the street to check out other venues and they were all the same. Everything ridiculously loud with no definition.Even the outdoor bands were painful to listen to from across the street.
Normally I would use in ear monitors to protect myself but in this case, having no control over my levels and trusting the soundman was not an option so I went with standard floor wedges
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I'd walk and tell them right to their face.
I talk to patrons a lot and the biggest issue is
The Band is too loud and they dont go back.
It's an ongoing issue.
Good luck.
I talk to patrons a lot and the biggest issue is
The Band is too loud and they dont go back.
It's an ongoing issue.
Good luck.
Maybe everyone in the band is old and deaf?
I had that problem in a band, worst of all they repeatedly ignored my requests to keep the volume down.
I opted to bring 2 fridges with 1500 watts to drive them. Pointed them from side stage as opposed to behind me. Basically let them know that tonight I knew the bass would win the volume war if things got out of hand. When I asked if they could bring it down, they complied.
I was thanked by both the drummer and the sound tech.
I opted to bring 2 fridges with 1500 watts to drive them. Pointed them from side stage as opposed to behind me. Basically let them know that tonight I knew the bass would win the volume war if things got out of hand. When I asked if they could bring it down, they complied.
I was thanked by both the drummer and the sound tech.
less is more--- you can actually play better at lower volumes, as long as you can hear everyone else reasonably, but if the room is bright/trebly or lots of windows, wood floors etc. can ruin the sound to the audience whereas u might think it sounds good onstage. Then once club fills the sound can change again. 
This - get custom earplugs - the off the shelf musician ones don’t provide enough protection. Also, get ones that you can either use with filters or with a solid plug for maximum attenuation (a set of filters covered with super glue also works). Best $200 you can spend (around $120-150 for plugs plus $50-80 getting the ear molds made).
I would also recommend getting some of the foam 33dB plugs to keep in your case - they don’t sound good put they provide awesome protection for really loud gigs in a pinch (and are really cheap).
This was you are covered regardless of what the band does volume-wise. The last band I played in was stupid loud and the custom ear plugs with solid plugs provided enough protection.
After the first set is done I ALWAYS go to the bar and ask about the volume. You have to remember, It's not about the band. You're there first most to help sell beer. Get over yourself.
We play breweries often, mostly outside. Our #1 venue is subject to db limits at their property boundary. We always comply, and we get asked back often. No excuse for you and your bandmates to play so loudly.
Turn down your bass. When the band realizes there is something missing, they might take the hint. That tactic has worked in the past. Like every other situation it depends on the individuals involved. Some hacks think every gig is a solo gig and the rest of the band is just there to marvel at them. If you can't fire them, quit. Hope this helps.
Right then and there tell him straight out that the band is too Fing loud for the room. Then sneer at him with contempt as you start breaking down.
True, custom fit ear filters are a bit pricey, but the offer the best protection and the best audio experience possible. For our band, a 15dB cut is adequate. Anything in excess of 90 dB on stage, or using power equipment (power or chain saws) or I use a 25db cut filter and reduce the amount of time I’m exposed to it.
My audiologist explained ear Plugs this way. “When used, you are protected from the missing frequencies that make the sound sound muffled, for the rest of the frequencies that you can hear there is not as much protection. Filters are for the most part flat across the board.
GC and AirTurn.com sells Earsurs ear filters for about $40, but you need to make sure you have a good seal in the ear canal for proper protection. With a good fit they work great, as well as the custom fit ones. They come in tree different sizes.
What lead me to the fitted filters is I have two different sized ear canals, requiring me to buy two sets. Also, with the custom fit ones, I was able to buy a second set of filters with a two different dB cuts , and they come with a blank (plug) as well.
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Trey..it's a common problem we all share at some .. stage volume MUST be at a acceptable level..and no clutter..FRONT Subs and mains are for the floor..
There is a thread on here of TOP in 1987 ("Behold the power of the P bass!!!"). If they can have a balanced sound, there is no excuse for any other band not to. Imagine trying to get a good balance with all of those instruments vying for position. A lesson in virtuosity as well as engineering. It goes without saying that Rocco shines. R.I.P Mr. Prestia.
reading this thread made my tinnitus slightly worse.
