Is it impossible to play a gig without sound check?

[TinIndian]

I can't remember the last gig we did have a sound check! That's a luxury we don't normally get. We bring our own PA and run our own sound. We use a Presonus board so we have a laptop setup in FOH and during the 1st couple of songs the guitar player dials the sound in from there, wirelessly.

Certainly not ideal to run your own sound but this works pretty well. Also the Presonus board saves presets for different locations so we are usually close when we start if we've played the venue before.

 

[almightycrunch]

You have never experienced any type of stage or house sound issues in over 15 years?

Blue

Nothing that wasnt remedied almost immediately. Certainly nothing that would require a full song to be played to sort out, is that weird???

 

[Snarf]

I haven't had a gig with a sound check in a long time. It's a skill you develop, to sound good and take zero time to do it.

 

[bluewine]

Nothing that wasnt remedied almost immediately. Certainly nothing that would require a full song to be played to sort out, is that weird???

Not weird but I'd say unusual.

But, I agree a full song is not necessary.

Blue

 

[MNAirHead]

Mature players... same gear.... good ears... no egos = yes... we do it all the time.

My "splitting point" is 4 players... the gear becomes more complex etc....

 

[bolophonic]

My band has 16 members and we probably only soundcheck 50% of the time. No disasters to report so far.

 

[almightycrunch]

My band has basically got to the point where we all turn our amps on, and we're ready to go, no tweaking volumes, or changing EQ settings. I cant remember the last time I actually touched my master volume.

 

[f.c.geil]

Unless you're always in the same room, that isn't something to brag about.

 

[almightycrunch]

Always one in every crowd isnt there??? ^ Sorry to disappoint, but we're a constantly gigging cover band. We do not have volume issues, we all know our sound, as does our soundman.

 

[tuBass]

After 4 years of playing and running sound with the same group an getting a handle on stage volume (more or less) it's getting a lot easier to do a quick sound check. I set all our levels to where I think they should be, step out and listen for a bit, adjust what's needed and keep going. If I step out a few steps in front of the stage I can get a good idea quickly if anything is too far gone, and as of tomorrow I'm going wireless, so it will be even easier

 

[lowfreq33]

My band has 16 members and we probably only soundcheck 50% of the time. No disasters to report so far.

I'd like to hear more about these 16 members. Horn section? 3 backup singers?

 

[bolophonic]

I'd like to hear more about these 16 members. Horn section? 3 backup singers?

Hey! We are the Invalid Link Removed... four saxophones, two trumpets, two trombones, vibes, keyboards, bass, drums, and three percussionists (of which I am one). Thanks for the interest!

As for the shows, we send a detailed plan to the soundman ahead of time, letting him know how we normally set up and then everyone just rolls in like the Blues Brothers and kills it.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Unless you're always in the same room, that isn't something to brag about.

Actually it is because most people can't do that.


Think about it... if I have an amp and set my master beyond what I'll ever need volumewise and control my volume and tone elsewhere, why would I need to touch it?

and better yet, how in the world is that bragging vs. simply stating what works for them?

 

[Basshappi]

What the heck is a sound check?
A sound check is great if you can get one (and if the soundman has even half a clue) but if you're going to be gigging on a regular basis you and your bandmates need to learn how to get a decent stage mix dialed in quickly and on your own.

 

[Steve]

There are players all around you who make their living by being able to grab any properly functioning rig (and sometimes not properly functioning) and make it happen immediately.

 

[almightycrunch]

Actually it is because most people can't do that.


Think about it... if I have an amp and set my master beyond what I'll ever need volumewise and control my volume and tone elsewhere, why would I need to touch it?

and better yet, how in the world is that bragging vs. simply stating what works for them?

Thank you Brad, and I was thinking the same thing about the bragging comment as well, not bragging, just simply stating the facts as they relate to my situation. And its also not necessarily setting my master above what I need and reducing the volume elsewhere in the chain either, we just have become very good at maintaining stage volume consistency.

 

[f.c.geil]

Actually it is because most people can't do that.


Think about it... if I have an amp and set my master beyond what I'll ever need volumewise and control my volume and tone elsewhere, why would I need to touch it?

and better yet, how in the world is that bragging vs. simply stating what works for them?

What the heck is a sound check?
A sound check is great if you can get one (and if the soundman has even half a clue) but if you're going to be gigging on a regular basis you and your bandmates need to learn how to get a decent stage mix dialed in quickly and on your own.

Thank you Brad, and I was thinking the same thing about the bragging comment as well, not bragging, just simply stating the facts as they relate to my situation. And its also not necessarily setting my master above what I need and reducing the volume elsewhere in the chain either, we just have become very good at maintaining stage volume consistency.

I suppose. Assuming, of course (and I have no other choice based on your comments) that all you're concerned with is sounding good on stage. I, on the other hand, could not care less what it sounds like on stage. I want it to sound great for the audience. I won't play a venue unless I (or another audio engineer I trust) have rung out the room and done a complete sound check with the band. This is sine qua non for me.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Of course it's possible. Why wouldn't it be? Difficult, yes, but still possible.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I suppose. Assuming, of course (and I have no other choice based on your comments) that all you're concerned with is sounding good on stage. I, on the other hand, could not care less what it sounds like on stage. I want it to sound great for the audience. I won't play a venue unless I (or another audio engineer I trust) have rung out the room and done a complete sound check with the band. This is sine qua non for me.

That's cool. I am apparently far more flexible than you as far as gigging goes.


Unless of course you really don't literally mean what you are saying. It happens alot on TB.


As someone who plays with a lot of groups in a lot of situations... I'd rather have a good soundcheck but if that for whatever reason can't happen, I'll still perform. You are clearly saying you won't.

 

[the yeti]

we very often check levels/monitor mix only. if i'm doing our sound i try to get more of a check than that but i don't always. people (who have a vested interest) generally agree we sound pretty good.