I hate people telling me to Turn it Down

[dbase]

Its always that one person in the audience. At that point I'm bummed out because I like to hear and feel my bass playing. Why did I spend all that money for equipment and wattage? The solution is, I act like I'm turning the gain down but actually I'm turning it up more..... "Hows that, OK", fine ... Volume is now louder and the audience doesnt know the difference. The real culprit is always the lead guitar player.

 

[BassGuitarNoob]

you know, about two years ago, whenever i listened to songs i always picked out the bass and listened to that. however, at the time i thought that was not the bass, but the lead guitar!
everyone told me how good Angus Young is from ACDC and i always thought that the awesome music coming from that band was him. then i watched his fingers and noticed the notes were not matching up, but the guy in the background was playing all the good stuff!
I decided there that bass guitars were the best thing to hit this planet since food.
so all i have to say is, turn it up!

 

[Oscar South]

Yea really, only turn down if you haven't learned the songs and are faking through the gig.

 

[Sleeq]

well... maybe you're a bit too loud?

Keep it loud ON STAGE but JUST RIGHT OFF STAGE.

 

[thehangingmist]

and i just cant make the drummer hear me in the practice room because my rig is not half loud enough

 

[low-endz]

Its always that one person in the audience.

Yep & that same one person will tell you that you cant be heard next time you play the same gig one notch lower than the last time.

Life too short to be annoyed by some failed bassist,now if all your bandmates & many tell people (@ the same time) tell you that your loud, then maybe your just a little bit loud.

 

[modulusman]

Its always that one person in the audience. At that point I'm bummed out because I like to hear and feel my bass playing. Why did I spend all that money for equipment and wattage? The solution is, I act like I'm turning the gain down but actually I'm turning it up more..... "Hows that, OK", fine ... Volume is now louder and the audience doesnt know the difference. The real culprit is always the lead guitar player.

Yeah that will teach them. Maybe you should think about what is best for the band instead of "more me" just a thought.

 

[Bearded Bugs]

I thought it was impossible for bass to be too loud

 

[4-string]

I hate people.

 

[Blake Bass]

Turn It Down!!

 

[lunarpollen]

A lot of people (i.e., non-musicians) think that bass is too loud when they can actually hear the bass.

 

[Fretless1!]

A lot of people (i.e., non-musicians) think that bass is too loud when they can actually hear the bass.

By "non-musicians", I'm assuming you mean guitarists?

 

[Jools4001]

Its always that one person in the audience.

Stock answer is "If it's too loud you're too old"

Seriously though, it can simply be down to physics. By definition, low bass notes have a long wavelength and take some distance before the sound is fully formed. If you're using your backline rather than a PA to get your sound across you might find what sounds thin and weedy on stage and struggling to keep up with drums and guitars is actually very boomy and rattling people's teeth loose half way down the venue.

In that case you have a choice...you could say "screw the audience I'm playing for me" but my advice is turn down because bands that the audience don't enjoy don't last too long

 

[alexei]

By "non-musicians", I'm assuming you mean guitarists?

of course... manager and girlfriends too (if the band have'em)

 

[KBarker]

I hear you...I once played a whole show with two morons who sat right in front of the cabs complaining it was too loud....talk about stupid.

I only ever have one comment for these folks..."talk to the soundman"

 

[Valerus]

Pelt that guy with something. Bring baby lions on stage and throw them at people who say crap like that.



Plus you'll get chicks! I mean...come on...who can deny a baby lion?

 

[lonote]

Generally speaking, making the audience's ears bleed is a bad idea.

 

[Pilgrim]

The important thing is to have balance to your sound. Once you get that, the only ones you really need to pay attention to are the venue owners and your own judgment. But desirable volume depends on the venue, the function your playing serves, and the audience.

I play in a small band and use a wireless system so that I can walk out into the audience area during setup and play some stuff with the band. We don't have a sound man other than me. However, realize that once you get a lot of people into the area, it moderates the sound bounce somewhat and your apparent volume will be somewhat lower than with no audience present.

 

[scootron]

The question isn't whether the bass is too loud, but whether it is too loud compared to the other instruments. It's all about the mix.

We went to see Gov't Mule a couple of weeks ago. The opening act used their rigs. Andy Hess was using an Ampeg 8x10 cab. The opening bassist was standing with his back right at the cab. He was playing a Grabber, and was so loud that it was hard to hear the lead player and the B-3.

When the Mule came out and Andy Hess took over (with his P bass), the band was very loud, but the bass was balanced with the band, so you could hear the guitar, drums, keys, bass and vocals all well.

The first act was very good...my only complaint was that the bass player was too loud. The other guys from my band who were there, and our sound man who were there thought the same thing.

 

[stflbn]

Was at a gig last weekend where the bass player was un-appropriately loud... and he is no longer in the band due to 'his attention' being more important then the bands overall sound.

And yes... he was to loud, his tone was cutting 'to' much, and he was not even trying to be a part of the bands sound. And he wasn't NEAR good enough to be considered a reason for people to be there.