Making a "Cheap" live setup sound good???

[RicPlaya]

I agree with what most has been said so far. Definatley get the volumes under control. See what the guitard has his bass set to on his head as well, if his tone is too muddy take some bass out.

I tend to take a simplistic approach to things. I don't think you need to buy a bunch of gadgets to fix the problem. I think mics will help and better mains. You can sell the Peavy's on Craigslist, and get a set of cheap Yamaha SV15 speakers, single 15's is all you need. You can get them used for a couple hundred bucks and sell the Peavey's and not spend too much out of pocket. Bet this improves things 100%! This is a mercedes type speaker for a KIA price. I use them and love them and highly recommed them. Best bang for the buxk by far and they are very clear and clean speakers,,no mud!

 

[WalterBush]

The problem, straight up, is the band, not the system. I know plenty of groups that could make such a setup sound pretty decent in a small venue.

I'd leave until they have time to grow as Christians and musicians. The attitudes you describe on the part of the guitarist and bassist are immature and inconsistent with Christianity; flakiness and displays of temper are unacceptable in a Praise band, both in my opinion, and in the Bible. Shoot, they're unacceptable to anyone with a work ethic!

Having said that, good, if not great, mikes are required in any system, budget or not. All instruments should be run through the PA, or else only people standing directly in front of the stage will hear you--PA speakers have wider dispersion than guitar and bass cabs. If band members have to turn down so that others can be heard, than they need to turn down. If they can't accept that, they need to be replaced.

What you're hearing as amateur sound is an amateur band. No amount of gear will help that. Sorry to be so blunt, but I'm obviously not the only one thinking it. Anyone listening to them is likely to be thinking it, too. Dime to a dollar says they're not still together this time next year.

 

[L-A]

I'll probably repeat a lot of things, but here's my view.

The band has problems with their sound, and while it is an important aspect, it seems to be a symptom of their general dysfunctionality. If you're their friend, don't drown in their help requests. If you're paid, or compensated, well you have a lot of education to give them before they're ready to setup on their own.

They probably eyeball levels and mike everything by pointing cardioids at stuff. Suggest to the most responsible of them a little research (reading mike manuals, maybe?) and generally give hints. But don't go doing it for them.

Stuff like:
- isolating instruments before the show to make sure their sound is ok (clipping, feedback, phasing if stereo)
- doing the battery of sound tests BEFORE the show, if possible
- controlling the pan. That might seem dumb, but there's an endless supply of bands ready to transform 14 inputs into a mono signal.

 

[LightGroove]

Thanks for the continued dialog guys.

I actually work with the drummer. I noticed the bass players crap and sound issues at a show I attended...I remember thinking man...they want to book shows with this.. :scowl:

I'm unpaid. I asked to hang out and fellowship with them on practice nights.Just so happened the bass player never showed up and I accidently threw my gear in the car.

I guess I want to come from a place of experience as opposed to a place of ego/ideals.The drummer is very level headed and feels a lot of what Im feeling. Also as a discerning ear or audience member.

I think there is some talent and song writing ability but again it all feels amateur. Ive gone to every practice for a month now.. It does feel the the songs are tightening up but guess whose been the main bass player