How to control dynamics?

[Electricblue]

Hey guys, if there is already a sticky about this, sorry about that.

If not, let the thread commence

So, my dynamics are pretty awful. I would start off at the right volume, but once I get into the groove, I start playing harder and drowning people out. I would love to be able to just do my thing and not worry about the loudness of my playing.

Any handy tips of the trade, or is it time to buy a compressor?

 

[sleeplessknight]

What I've always found helpful is to pick a line, or set of changes, or whatever, that I know COLD. I'll get my handy metronome out (I heartily recommend grooving with a metronome whenever possible), and with the click on the 2 and 4 (or 1 and 3, or just the 1, whatever suits you and gives you 'space' to stretch in) and play the line for a few minutes like I know it. Then I'll try to play it a smidge quieter, once or twice. Then a smidge quieter again. And again. This will rinse and repeat until I'm barely audible through my amp (I'm talking 'lightly grazing the strings with the very tippy-tops of my fingertips' here), and then I'll go back to playing the line 'as I know it'. Once I'm acclimated back to the 'base', I'll play the line a smidge more aggressively. Then again... you see where this is going. I stop when I'm rocking out like Animal.

The trick is to find your own definition of 'smidge', as a unit it's pretty subjective. Then when you're onstage, you'll have a MUCH greater awareness of what level of smidge-ness you're at, where the drummer/rest-of-the-band is at, and you can calibrate yourself accordingly.

Another fun one that's a bit more loose than the smidgeometer is to take a line/song/whatever that you know cold, and play it "differently" (again with your trusty metronome). Play Rush anthems like ballads. Play ballads like head-bangers. Play the changes in 3/4. Play Slayer like you're trying to woo your girlfriend, etc. The point is to break out of the 'viewpoint' the song is already recorded in, and is also very helpful at developing your dynamic awareness.

Anyway, hope this helps!

 

[gmarcus]

Listen to the rest of the band while you are playing. Don't get into your own groove, Instead, try to hear how the whole band fits together to form the groove. You, drums, guitar...whatever. Listen to all of the parts and you should naturally adjust your dynamics so the whole band sounds good. This definitely takes practice and its worth trying to get the rest of the band to do this too. When that whole band groove locks in it is magic. All of a sudden everything sounds really good and you can clearly hear every part.

 

[bassbrad]

I'd say since you are aware of the issue, try relaxing and get your hands under control. Using a compressor is not really an ideal solution for a technical problem and will likely actually sound worse.

 

[Russell L]

Just pay attention to what yer doing is my advice.

 

[colcifer]

Practice.

 

[Skitch it!]

Practicing laying back and lightening up your right hand technique a bit will give you room to move within dynamics, try to be conscious of finding the right balance and feel for what your playing and the instruments your playing with, not against.

 

[TheVoiceless]

People are going to talk you out of a compressor, but really its a helpful tool in the band situation. Do you have the same issues playing alone? Probably not. But when playing with a full band the bass can get lost and you may be compensating by playing harder.

YES, do as the others have instructed and address your technique. But just know a compressor is not a crutch. It allows you to get the volume you want without destroying the other instruments.

Now learning how to use the compressor properly is another thing, but please don't feel that you are an inferior bass player for using a compressor. Also keep in mind that you shouldn't use one to practice with until you have addressed your technique first.

Good Luck!

 

[tZer]

Another important detail in dynamics is how the rest of the band handles them. It is very common for everyone to let the energy of the band cause them to increase their volume resulting everyone playing 'up' just to stay even.

Bring up dynamics frequently with the band as a whole. I've found that if you say "Hey - let's all remember to exaggerate our dynamics - play 'soft' areas REALLY SOFT - play loud areas really loud - always drop in volume when the singer's singing or when a soloist is soloing - etc..."

It's amazing to me how many people think dynamics are controlled by the mixer. More bands do than don't play at one, slightly louder than they should, constant volume.

A compressor won't help your dynamics. It actually works against you by 'bumping' quiet stuff while 'limiting' loud stuff. It essentially does the opposite of what you are trying to do and eliminates dynamics.

 

[Stumbo]

Stand as far away from your amp as possible so you can hear how you fit into the overall mix instead of just listening to yourself.

Maybe record yourself while practicing along with some backing tracks or gig/rehearsal recordings. Might help.

 

[251]

It sounds like you have the technique to control dynamics. Perhaps you are just making poor choices about when/where to change the dynamics of your playing. Trust your ears 1st & follow your heart 2nd?

 

[stratovani]

i know a compressor can do this, but what you really need is a limiter. It'll give you a "ceiling" which will keep your loudness at bay, below which everything else is controlled with your fingers.

 

[onosson]

One simple solution has not been mentioned yet - when you find yourself getting too loud, reach down and turn down the volume knob on your bass. It's a dial, not a switch, and for good reason. I generally start a gig with my volume around 80%, then I have room to turn up if I need to, and there is always room to turn down.

 

[funkinbottom]

Volume pedal

 

[Russell L]

One simple solution has not been mentioned yet - when you find yourself getting too loud, reach down and turn down the volume knob on your bass. It's a dial, not a switch, and for good reason. I generally start a gig with my volume around 80%, then I have room to turn up if I need to, and there is always room to turn down.

Ya know, another cool thing about turning your volume knob down on your bass is that, because most OEM knobs also cut some highs when turned down, you get a different kind of eq. It's interesting to compare that sound to what you would get with the volume knob turned up 100% and using the eq on your amp. It's usually a different set of frequencies, and it gives you another option for finding the right tone.

At least that's what it seems like to me.

 

[JimmyM]

People are going to talk you out of a compressor, but really its a helpful tool in the band situation. Do you have the same issues playing alone? Probably not. But when playing with a full band the bass can get lost and you may be compensating by playing harder.

YES, do as the others have instructed and address your technique. But just know a compressor is not a crutch. It allows you to get the volume you want without destroying the other instruments.

Now learning how to use the compressor properly is another thing, but please don't feel that you are an inferior bass player for using a compressor. Also keep in mind that you shouldn't use one to practice with until you have addressed your technique first.

And that's exactly why nobody should be recommending a compressor at this point. I agree with you, but technique issues always should be addressed before trying a compressor, and it should NEVER be used to compensate for bad technique.

So how do we fix it? Simple...it's like the old joke:

PATIENT: Doc, it hurts when I do this.

DOCTOR: So don't do that.

If you catch yourself playing too heavy, just stop it. Fixed.