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Junior Varsity
Do guitar players really need guitar in their own stage wedge?
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<blockquote data-quote="Rob Dellwood" data-source="post: 146262" data-attributes="member: 498"><p>Re: Do guitar players really need guitar in their own stage wedge?</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>The number one problem most live sound engineers at the local level usually face is excessive stage volume. As both a guitar player and working sound engineer with decades in the business, I face this problem nearly every weekend when mixing bands. What is missing with most bands is an understanding of the 'big picture' of live sound. That is, the need to play at a level at which stage volume is not killing the audience, and that all instruments can be put in the house mix and be able to be balanced for the best possible sound delivered to the audience. The original topic of loud monitors or guitar in the monitors is a part of the 'big picture'. Too often, I get bands that play at a level at which they feel the need to fill the entire room with their stage amp volume, as if they are not being mic'd and there is no PA in the room. As most techs know, the normal result of that is nothing is in the house PA mix except vocals and kick drum, and the sound is chaotic for the audience. </p><p></p><p>As I get older, I tend to be more assertive and try to politely get loud guitar players to either turn down, side wash their amps, or put a road case in front of it, with some guitar then put in their wedge. Other bands I mix regularly do get the 'big picture', and bring in small guitar amps and side wash them or let me shield them. One band I mixed had two guitar players, and they both used small Fender Blues Jr. amps, placed in FRONT of them, facing them like a monitor wedge. Now that is a band that truly understands the mission to obtain a reasonable stage volume along with a well-balanced and full house mix of the performance! Other bands I work with are on in-ears, which is great, since they can play their amps at a lower level, side wash or rear-face them, and there are no stage monitors to contend with. </p><p></p><p>When I play shows with my own band as the guitar player, I routinely use a small stage amp, and shield it both front and back. Our sound guy loves me, lol. The band also cooperates with stage volume, and we often get compliments on our mixes at shows. I get my 'sound' on stage by listening directly to my amp, then I shield it. I know that the sound I want to put out there is being put out there through the PA. I also put some of my guitar in my wedge. I don't care if it doesn't sound 'exactly' like my amp itself sounds, it is just a reference for me to hear what is going on. I trust that 'my sound' is going out to the PA to the audience, and that is the only thing that I care about. </p><p></p><p>So yes, the original topic of guitar in the monitors and loud monitors is one part of the overall big picture. The only thing you can do is try to educate people to focus on the 'big picture' and do what you can to get cooperation. The rewarding part is that some nights, you get that cooperation, and it all comes together with a good mix and a happy crowd and venue. That's what keeps up going. : )</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Rob Dellwood, post: 146262, member: 498"] Re: Do guitar players really need guitar in their own stage wedge? The number one problem most live sound engineers at the local level usually face is excessive stage volume. As both a guitar player and working sound engineer with decades in the business, I face this problem nearly every weekend when mixing bands. What is missing with most bands is an understanding of the 'big picture' of live sound. That is, the need to play at a level at which stage volume is not killing the audience, and that all instruments can be put in the house mix and be able to be balanced for the best possible sound delivered to the audience. The original topic of loud monitors or guitar in the monitors is a part of the 'big picture'. Too often, I get bands that play at a level at which they feel the need to fill the entire room with their stage amp volume, as if they are not being mic'd and there is no PA in the room. As most techs know, the normal result of that is nothing is in the house PA mix except vocals and kick drum, and the sound is chaotic for the audience. As I get older, I tend to be more assertive and try to politely get loud guitar players to either turn down, side wash their amps, or put a road case in front of it, with some guitar then put in their wedge. Other bands I mix regularly do get the 'big picture', and bring in small guitar amps and side wash them or let me shield them. One band I mixed had two guitar players, and they both used small Fender Blues Jr. amps, placed in FRONT of them, facing them like a monitor wedge. Now that is a band that truly understands the mission to obtain a reasonable stage volume along with a well-balanced and full house mix of the performance! Other bands I work with are on in-ears, which is great, since they can play their amps at a lower level, side wash or rear-face them, and there are no stage monitors to contend with. When I play shows with my own band as the guitar player, I routinely use a small stage amp, and shield it both front and back. Our sound guy loves me, lol. The band also cooperates with stage volume, and we often get compliments on our mixes at shows. I get my 'sound' on stage by listening directly to my amp, then I shield it. I know that the sound I want to put out there is being put out there through the PA. I also put some of my guitar in my wedge. I don't care if it doesn't sound 'exactly' like my amp itself sounds, it is just a reference for me to hear what is going on. I trust that 'my sound' is going out to the PA to the audience, and that is the only thing that I care about. So yes, the original topic of guitar in the monitors and loud monitors is one part of the overall big picture. The only thing you can do is try to educate people to focus on the 'big picture' and do what you can to get cooperation. The rewarding part is that some nights, you get that cooperation, and it all comes together with a good mix and a happy crowd and venue. That's what keeps up going. : ) [/QUOTE]
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