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Will the Aguilar Tone Hammer help me?

organworthyplayer337

organworthyplayer337

Professional Hack
Oct 28, 2014
3,069
3,243
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Charlotte, NC
#1
Ok,

So I'm a noob when it comes to playing out. Where I play they're not really into mixing bass and stuff like that. My problem is being heard. I can't ever hear myself so they tell me to turn up, I do. Still can't hear myself very well. Will adding a Tone hammer Pedal help me with hearing myself?

I play a passive p-bass straight into DI. Some times I'll bring my Stingray but honestly with the mixing situation, it just doesn't sound ok to me so another reason for the TH is to bring the highs down on the Stingray to help it sit in a little better.

Thanks!
 
#2
If you're not using an amp, your have no control over the volume at which you hear yourself. Tone Hammer can't necessarily help you with that. Who ever is running the mixer will.

The Tone Hammer will help shape your sound for sure.

Maybe you could tell us more about the music and the band. Curious to hear what others have to say too.
 
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#3
Maybe you're EQ'ed on the console (Smiley face curve - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) ? If you can't hear yourself, it's either that, or you need to turn up your volume on the console, there's no magic here. Is your volume maxed out on the console ? If so, you're stuck, so either eveybody plays quieter, or you're going to need power, meaning an amp + cab.
The Tone Hammer might help a bit by bringing up the mid-frequencies that matter the most when it comes to being heard, but if you lack the volume, there isn't much it can do.
 
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#6
Gotcha. Cutting the mids will usually make it a little harder to hear yourself or cut through. I'm not sure wht sound you're going for but have you ever thought bout using a set of flats? They're generally more thumpy without as much high end content than rounds.

The TH will give you some EQ capability for the P bass and some additional EQ for the Ray along with a good quality DI. Unfortunately, if the person mixing FOH doesn't know what they're doing or care about bass it may not help you all that much. It's tough to hear how things sound out front from the stage which makes things difficult for you.

I'd suggest getting some type of monitor for yourself to hear better (an amp). I'd also suggest getting a recorder to put FOH so you can get a good idea of what things actually sound like out front. Things might sound awesome but you just can't hear well without a monitor.
 
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#8
Dave W said:
Gotcha. Cutting the mids will usually make it a little harder to hear yourself or cut through. I'm not sure wht sound you're going for but have you ever thought bout using a set of flats? They're generally more thumpy without as much high end content than rounds.

The TH will give you some EQ capability for the P bass and some additional EQ for the Ray along with a good quality DI. Unfortunately, if the person mixing FOH doesn't know what they're doing or care about bass it may not help you all that much. It's tough to hear how things sound out front from the stage which makes things difficult for you.

I'd suggest getting some type of monitor for yourself to hear better (an amp). I'd also suggest getting a recorder to put FOH so you can get a good idea of what things actually sound like out front. Things might sound awesome but you just can't hear well without a monitor.
Click to expand...
Very helpful thank you. I will look into some flats for my Ray.
Thanks again
 
#10
Absolutely! I have TH DI/pre and that's just one of best things I've ever done in my playing life!
With P bass it is a pure heaven,try and you'll see!

As for setting,I like to push the bass at 3 o clock,hi 12 and both mids control on 9.
your preferences may vary....
 
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#11
Your using IEM's?? Are they "dual driver" type, because single drivers dont capture bass well at all!!

I use in IEM's *and* a amp with a 2x10 to help me feel it for my main gig, of course the volume is way down so not to defeat the purpose of the IEM's..

If you don't use ears, maybe invest in a small monitor to hear yourself at least a little!? Ive never used the TH, but with IEM's I found my B7K's treble content to be a bit much and I had to dial it way back, also when the drums kicked in i disappeared so I added the cab as well...

Nothing sucks worse than *not* being able to hear yourself!!
 
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