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My regular soundman doesn't like my sound
- Thread starter JimmyM
- Start date
he doesnt like your tone? stab him 
but seriously, cool that you took a step back and he was actually right.
id be afraid to take a step back there to see what they were doing to my bass
but seriously, cool that you took a step back and he was actually right.
id be afraid to take a step back there to see what they were doing to my bass
Calm down. I already explained that I left some info out.Reread Jimmy Ms first post about how ALL the soundmen hate his tone.Then go to post #7 where he says my sound is almost always awesome.
BadB, I don't usually get complaints with the B-15, but I think that's because it's flatter than the SVT, although it's a little beefed up in that midbass range.
He likes the speaker DI, I believe. And though I don't like it as much as a mic, I do like it. And he likes the mic...he just thinks it isn't low enough micing these cabs that don't have a lot of low lows, and he didn't like me having too strong of a 125 presence in my amp.
I've spent thousands of dollars on gear and STILL have nights where I just don't think my sound is what it should be. It's pretty frustrating because I have some really nice gear. Even though I feel like I'm a pretty good player, there is always more to learn about how to use my bass and amp to their best potential. Sometimes another set of ears can be really helpful, especially if it's someone you trust and respect.
I do use a wireless and will walk out into the room to listen for myself in the mix. I've found I can judge for myself if I'm too loud out front, or sound just too weird for what we're doing. My problem I guess is that I think bass should heard as well as felt, and lots of other musicians and soundguys think bass should be a foundation only for the guitars, vocals, etc. My personal vision has the bass as an equal component of the sound, and this has gotten me into some disagreements with various parties. Bottom line, I try to make the band sound better always and I listen to everyone I play with. I just have never been a sit in the background kind of player and that has been sort of a mixed blessing. If I had a big time gig backing someone up, I would try to do exactly what they wanted me to. I do try to always serve the music and do what I think is appropriate for what we're doing, no matter who I'm playing with... so...
I applaud you for trying to work with your sound guy and band members, I think that is the most professional attitude. I also applaud you that you know what sounds good to you and stick by it- you obviously have played long enough to have your own sound, and know what it is. Working with other people is a skill in itself that a lot of talented hot shots don't get at all. I think everything is going to work out fine for you. Good luck and keep refining that sound and mix. And be grateful you have a really, really good gig.
I do use a wireless and will walk out into the room to listen for myself in the mix. I've found I can judge for myself if I'm too loud out front, or sound just too weird for what we're doing. My problem I guess is that I think bass should heard as well as felt, and lots of other musicians and soundguys think bass should be a foundation only for the guitars, vocals, etc. My personal vision has the bass as an equal component of the sound, and this has gotten me into some disagreements with various parties. Bottom line, I try to make the band sound better always and I listen to everyone I play with. I just have never been a sit in the background kind of player and that has been sort of a mixed blessing. If I had a big time gig backing someone up, I would try to do exactly what they wanted me to. I do try to always serve the music and do what I think is appropriate for what we're doing, no matter who I'm playing with... so...
I applaud you for trying to work with your sound guy and band members, I think that is the most professional attitude. I also applaud you that you know what sounds good to you and stick by it- you obviously have played long enough to have your own sound, and know what it is. Working with other people is a skill in itself that a lot of talented hot shots don't get at all. I think everything is going to work out fine for you. Good luck and keep refining that sound and mix. And be grateful you have a really, really good gig.
The basic differences between an Ampeg and the others are the EQ and the horn.
The horn adds nothing but clicks and clacks - it's very seldom implemented such that it can do anything usefull (Euphonic do it pretty well, but they charge ridiculous money for their boxes).
One can add an EQ to an Ampeg if the head's EQ is not getting the job done.
So far, I much prefer the Acme boxes. I'd like to hear the Jones boxes.
It's not THAT good. I still fly coach on most gigs unless we fly Delta and I get my Medallion upgrade.
You make a good point about backing gigs. I REALLY have to micromanage the bass sound in the house on some of our gigs with Bowzer because he blames too-loud subs on me. But on the majority of my backing gigs with others I tend to go with the flow more. All depends on the act, really. But you definitely need to know when to open your yap and when to close it.
i go always go: bass >pedal board > DI (signal split) - #1.foh and #2.amp
i dial in my basic sound on my preamp and and my eq pedals. then fine tweak it for the stage on the amp and hear the foh sound from the monitors and tweak that with the sound guy as it suits both of us. when tweaking the foh sound i often turn off the stage amp.
i feel the PA acts very differently than your bass cab, it has a lot more highs and often a lot more lows thanks to the multiple subs and tons of power! so i often have a slightly honky sound onstage for me to hear myself better but it does not disturb the outside mix although i explain the sound guy that i have a sound which cuts through a lot
also, since it his him doing the band sound, he needs to be comfortable with it too. but sure i'd be pissed if he made me sound like something i'm not!
cheers
i dial in my basic sound on my preamp and and my eq pedals. then fine tweak it for the stage on the amp and hear the foh sound from the monitors and tweak that with the sound guy as it suits both of us. when tweaking the foh sound i often turn off the stage amp.
i feel the PA acts very differently than your bass cab, it has a lot more highs and often a lot more lows thanks to the multiple subs and tons of power! so i often have a slightly honky sound onstage for me to hear myself better but it does not disturb the outside mix although i explain the sound guy that i have a sound which cuts through a lot
also, since it his him doing the band sound, he needs to be comfortable with it too. but sure i'd be pissed if he made me sound like something i'm not!
cheers
Reread Jimmy Ms first post about how ALL the soundmen hate his tone.
He also stated its a real fine line, and it is.
From the stories Jimmy's got about Bowzer, I think if his tone was a real problem, he wouldn't be in this gig anymore, or at least he would have been told by Bowzer what he should sound like by now.
He hasn't, therefore its a non-issue.
Even broken down logically: just because a soundguy thinks his tone is hard to mix, doesn't mean his tone is bad.
Said jokingly: I'm surprised Jimmy hasn't fired the soundguy already
Ditch the wireless for a really high quality wire mentioned nearly to death on talkbass. I always end up back with my 10-12 year old 12' belden/G&H cable no matter what wire/wireless I've ever tried. I only use the X2 on gigs that I don't have to care about getting a nice fat tone on. (usually just the ones that require mobility and stage antics or have the room to do such, then a wireless saves you from having to pick up your amp after you remember too late that you've got a leash on).
An EQ, preamp, amp, and/or cabinet can't reproduce whats not there to begin with...
BTW, just for clarification, these weren't Bowzer gigs...they were gigs with my regular band opening for Gary Puckett the first night, and a gig by ourselves the second at another venue. Bowzer ain't opening for Gary Puckett. He likes him a lot, but he's not opening. And yes, he is ultra-quick to let me know when what I'm doing isn't working for him.
But modulusman is just mad that I rejected his notion that using a mic on a cab is always the wrong thing to do, so he was just trying to discredit me to push his own agenda. Not sure why he thinks the way I do things is wrong when it's worked for over a year now, but there you have it.
EDIT: Jack, I love the X2 and think it sounds every bit as good as a cable, but I respect your right to think it doesn't. We have a pretty high energy show that often requires "antics" on my part so the wireless is pretty common on my gigs. But if I don't need the antics, I usually use a cable.
But modulusman is just mad that I rejected his notion that using a mic on a cab is always the wrong thing to do, so he was just trying to discredit me to push his own agenda. Not sure why he thinks the way I do things is wrong when it's worked for over a year now, but there you have it.
EDIT: Jack, I love the X2 and think it sounds every bit as good as a cable, but I respect your right to think it doesn't. We have a pretty high energy show that often requires "antics" on my part so the wireless is pretty common on my gigs. But if I don't need the antics, I usually use a cable.
For what its worth, since you changed my opinion on what I can and can't pull out of a DI only and started using a higher quality of mic, I've been getting more compliments. I've actually been surprised how many bassists have said "You don't need the mic, man, I use the DI in my amp".
A bad mic don't help anything, a great mic helps greatly.
A bad mic don't help anything, a great mic helps greatly.
Well, at least you know your sound guy is listening and cares about his craft!! The reason that I like using a DI is that both myself and the sound guy can be happy with what we are hearing. As long as I am hearing what I want on stage, I am open to their interprutaion out front. (Within reason of course.) It's amazing, though, how tiny tweaks can make the difference.
Great example of what can happen when the musician and sound guy work together. Like you said, it's your tone... you're the "decider." But you were willing to listen and change when it's beneficial. And he was apparently doing his job prior to this by doing the best he could to reinforce your tone without trying to change... But once given he opportunity, he offered his constructive criticism, and it panned out... Glad for you both!
