Only thing I can suggest, based on the live clip, is to put a bit more "point" on your tone. EQ to emphasize the attack a bit more.
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Wow, just keep rockin it isn't your fault, your outdoor gigs are fine (and so are the ladies). Try to work with the sound guy a little closer
Yeah. Easy to say but a bit harder to manage. When I listen the clip from mixer and camera audio, it's obvious how the FOH mix and "headphone mix" are very different stuff. Actually my stage amp sound is very even, clear and focused, I just fully cut 35Hz on graphic EQ and little bit on 64Hz (only at indoor stages), to reduce possibility off boomy stage sound. But my amp comes after Diamond comp and Avalon U5. I dont't think EQ on Hartke 3500 is good enough for processing a DI signal for FOH - I think it would do more damage than good stuff.
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Actually, we play mostly for pleasure as all band members work streessful and responsible jobs (medical specialists, engineers...). This is our way to relax so we pick nicest 10-20 gigs each year, depending how much free time we have. We have invested lot of time and enthusiasm into this project, so it's little disappointing when the result isn't showing.
I'll leave it to the experts to advise on how to improve on your sound. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is what response your band generally gets from the audience. If they like your sound they will get up and dance.
Judging by the sound samples, you guys are tight and have great vocals!
Judging by the sound samples, you guys are tight and have great vocals!
This is so true. This is what prompted me to start using the tweeter in my cab and setting my EQ flat instead of how I like it when I'm solo - so it's much more like a full-range cab like a PA / FOH is. I now leave my bridge pickup on and my tone knob up too.
I had to take a month to correct my technique to get rid of finger zing and clank and all that, but now my FOH sound matches what I hear from my amp, so I always have a predicable sound I like. I know woodshedding for a month probably isn't the answer you want, but it made me a much more confident player - you gain a lot of confidence when you hear your own technique improve, and when you know you sound the way you expect!!
I have worked a lot on my plucking technique to get it right for live playing. I found best technique is to pluck hard but without strings hitting frets. Soft plucking just did not work for me. Combined with lowest action posseble, it took a lot of time to get it work properly. And it's very important to practice regulary to maintain hardness of fingertips and left hand fingers. I noticed that sound becomes noticeably muddier when fingers loos hardness after few weeks without playing.
of course, if you gig reguraly you wont't have that kind of problems.
but that's another story for another thread.
of course, if you gig reguraly you wont't have that kind of problems.
but that's another story for another thread.
Sort of been said but...
Go wireless, listen to FOH. Is the FOH sound bad, or just the recording of it? Lakland -> Sadowsky PRE -> Avalon U5 -> mixing board should definitely not result in bad sound.
Are you paying the soundperson? If so, yes, they work for you and you can ask for/demand? changes to your FOH sound, again a wireless will help here. Often though, the soundperson is hired by venue etc. You can still ask very nicely for tweaks, but if you are overly demanding, they might just crank up the "suck" knob on your channel
.
Later
Rob
Go wireless, listen to FOH. Is the FOH sound bad, or just the recording of it? Lakland -> Sadowsky PRE -> Avalon U5 -> mixing board should definitely not result in bad sound.
Are you paying the soundperson? If so, yes, they work for you and you can ask for/demand? changes to your FOH sound, again a wireless will help here. Often though, the soundperson is hired by venue etc. You can still ask very nicely for tweaks, but if you are overly demanding, they might just crank up the "suck" knob on your channel
.Later
Rob
Big Hoss
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From what I heard your tone is fine for what you were playing, and it sat well in the mix to me. I’m not sure what you don’t like.
I have listened to the audio track. For a live recording, your band sounds good, IMO. That's what matters. It seems to me that the guy at FOH knows what he is doing.
I would not trust recordings from cameras, even professional ones.
But if you think there was mud in bass frequencies, this issue might be caused by your rig.
There are several things you can do to help your sound guy make a good sound. Getting rid of your onstage rig is one of them.
I just saw a notification on this very old thread. I don't play in that band any more but to answer your question (tho it's probably been written already), that tape was directly from FOH desk. The sound from desk and the actual sound in the venue are two completely different things.
Camera sound was pretty accurate as it was exactly same as my friends from the audience described it.
There were two different cameras recording with pro microphones attached.
Anyways, things are better with my new band (still have the same gear) and when we play open/outdoor venues our FOH sound is really good.
Good FOH sound is a challenge to master, especially when playing modern music on modern PA systems, there is simply too much of everything in the mix and some venues (and some sound guys) are having a hard time dealing with it.
Camera sound was pretty accurate as it was exactly same as my friends from the audience described it.
There were two different cameras recording with pro microphones attached.
Anyways, things are better with my new band (still have the same gear) and when we play open/outdoor venues our FOH sound is really good.
Good FOH sound is a challenge to master, especially when playing modern music on modern PA systems, there is simply too much of everything in the mix and some venues (and some sound guys) are having a hard time dealing with it.
I really appreciate your search for tone!
I can't STAND to listen to live recordings of my bands playing. It doesn't seems to translate to 'tape' very well. I know, when we're playing, it sounds great. I have a top notched sound guy that's a full time member of the band & I trust him with every detail. But coming off the board without the resonance of the room.....or recording in the room without proper equipment.....I just don't like it!! I know my bass is out front & full of power while we're playing, so I'm good.
We run 2 signals from my bass. One is direct, after some mild effects but before the preamp. The other is post preamp. It gives my sound guy the flexibility to dial up whatever tones he needs for a given song, as well as giving me the flexibilty to play without having to worry about it. I dial up what I need in my IEM & I'm good. I just use little chorus &/or boost from time to time. I can take out my earbuds & feel what comes out to the house crystal clear.
I'm sure if your have built a solid rig & you're happy with you're tone before it gets to the house, you're in good shape. Without having a consistent sound crew, you're literally at the mercy of whomever happens to mixing. I'd do my best to develop a friendly relationship with the engineer prior to getting started.
I can't STAND to listen to live recordings of my bands playing. It doesn't seems to translate to 'tape' very well. I know, when we're playing, it sounds great. I have a top notched sound guy that's a full time member of the band & I trust him with every detail. But coming off the board without the resonance of the room.....or recording in the room without proper equipment.....I just don't like it!! I know my bass is out front & full of power while we're playing, so I'm good.
We run 2 signals from my bass. One is direct, after some mild effects but before the preamp. The other is post preamp. It gives my sound guy the flexibility to dial up whatever tones he needs for a given song, as well as giving me the flexibilty to play without having to worry about it. I dial up what I need in my IEM & I'm good. I just use little chorus &/or boost from time to time. I can take out my earbuds & feel what comes out to the house crystal clear.
I'm sure if your have built a solid rig & you're happy with you're tone before it gets to the house, you're in good shape. Without having a consistent sound crew, you're literally at the mercy of whomever happens to mixing. I'd do my best to develop a friendly relationship with the engineer prior to getting started.
