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Timing and cleanliness affected by loudness in the mix?

Discussion in 'General Instruction [BG]' started by Tupac, Jul 10, 2013.

  1. Jul 10, 2013 #1
    Tupac

    Tupac

    May 5, 2011
    Do you guys notice any correlation between your timing and cleanliness when turned up or down in a mix? I found that my timing sounds the best when put down in the mix because I can clearly hear all the drum hits, but it sounds very unclean obviously because I can't detect when I make flubs or ringing strings. How can I learn to play just as well regardless of volume?
     
  2. Jul 10, 2013 #2
    worxforme

    worxforme Self Actualized Bad Speller

    Dec 10, 2009
    LAnsing MI
    For me it was practice.... both practicing with a metronome and playing along with the songs until they just became second nature and then your in the flow.
     
  3. Jul 10, 2013 #3
    20db pad

    20db pad

    Feb 11, 2003
    I been everywhere, man...
    None. At all.
    If your timing and cleanliness are affected by volume, you have work to do with ensembles as well as alone with a metronome. There is no shortcut, it only comes with experience, work, and time. Out in the performing world, you'll never have as much control over your volume and tone as you think and you still have to perform well regardless.
     
  4. Jul 10, 2013 #4
    Bent77

    Bent77

    Mar 6, 2013
    Desert, Colorado
    When you practice at home, unplug. I have caught several things I do wrong when the amp is off...
     
  5. Jul 10, 2013 #5
    puddin tame

    puddin tame Guest

    Aug 14, 2010
    You're probably just as band when you're quiet but you just can't hear it. The answer is a lot of practice and general experience to improve
     
  6. Jul 11, 2013 #6
    Tupac

    Tupac

    May 5, 2011
    I've found that that really makes me sloppy. I always noodle around while watching TV and when I plug in, I realize how sloppy I sound. You can barely hear any nuances when unplugged.
     
  7. Jul 11, 2013 #7
    Rockin Mike

    Rockin Mike

    May 27, 2011
    Practicing with a headphone amp can really show you where you need to clean up. and most of them have a jack where you can mix in a metronome or music player to work on your timing.
     
  8. Jul 11, 2013 #8
    MalcolmAmos

    MalcolmAmos

    Jul 18, 2009
    Deep East Texas Piney Woods
    Regardless of volume ---- I think you must be able to hear yourself. Read on..... for how we do this.

    I need (like) to hear myself, the drummer and the lead vocalist. To do that we each have this monitor (Sorry do not know it's name or what it is called beyond monitor.) where I can control the volume of each instrument or voice to my stage monitor, i.e. 12 different inputs to my monitor on stage. For example:

    Mike's rhythm guitar #1.
    Mike's voice #2.
    Sharon's keyboard #3.
    Sharon's voice #4.
    Sallie's keyboard # 5
    Sallie's voice #6
    John's Drums #7.
    David's lead guitar #8
    David's voice #9.
    My bass #10.
    Guest instrument #11.
    Guest voice # 12.
    ​
    If I'm having trouble hearing what I'm doing I can increase the volume on # 10. If I need to increase or decrease one of the other inputs I can -- and it does not affect the house mix that is controlled by the sound person through the sound board.

    So ---- my point. If it was not important that we know what we sound like no one would have invented that monitor I talked about. Yes, you gotta hear what you are doing - one way or the other, so you can keep the good stuff coming.

    There are all kinds of aids that allow you to hear yourself - within the mix. The guys have already mentioned a few, talk to your local music store and see what they recommend. Perhaps an ear bud from your amp.