stratobastard27 wrote:Scooping the Mids. Last week we played a 4 band bennie on Sunday after our own show on Saturday. So I played soundman all day. Two of the other guitarists played through my rig which was already set up. Worked just fine.
The second band's guitarist HAD to use his own stuff. Turns out it was a Mesa Triple and Marshall 1960. Should sound amazing!
How sad that my $400 Line 6 pedal board and bottom of the barrel Fender 2x12 blew that Mesa away.
Now I'm not saying for a second that my rig is better than a Recto. No way in hell. Turns out this guy used an EQ pedal. And took away everything between 250hz and 1.2K. I couldn't even believe it was possible that a $2000+ amp could make such a horrendous sound. The treble was peircing. I actually muted the PA channel several times and it made almost no difference in overall mix from where I was sitting.
PLEASE KIDS>>>> Don't scoop the mids. That's where all the volume and punch live.
Is this scooping the mids thing mainly a guitarist no-no? Cause a bassist with a mid heavy setup, especially on a single 15" speaker, just makes my head hurt....
For bass these are my peeves...
I can't stand bassists that have nothing but mids (sorry!). Put more watts behind it, shelf at <=50hz with 3db/octave, cut anything subaudible or below your cabinet's range <=28hz.
Add more speakers for volume and throw. Volume comes from moving more air.
Never make your rig do something it can't.
If you only have 1 or more 15", get a 2x10 to go with it at least, thats where you'll pick up some definition and punch without having to make everyone's ears ring and feel wore out from overloading them with mid frequencies.
Its called an "equalizer" not a "lopsider".
Unless you're playing metal, dub, or outdoors, leave the 18" at home.
Unless you're crazy or absolutely need it, leave the B&C 21" at home.
Never play a small club with a folded horn.
If you can limbo between your strings and fret board, it may be time to tighten the truss rod a tad.
Borrowing/sharing equipment peeves:
Always bring your own equipment. I can tell if I can trust you just by one look at you, nothing you say will change that. If I let you borrow my rig for a song or two, don't fiddle with the knobs, in fact don't even look at them, the knobs are where they are for a reason.
Do not beat on my strings like they are yours, you have no idea how much they may actually cost. I will destroy them myself thank you very much.
General peeves..
Always give the sound guy the choice: Pre or Post EQ, don't make it for him. You're exempt from this when mic'ing the cabinet.
When playing out with other bands, top billed is top billed. Usually the top billed has their name on top of the list in a much bigger font (or it will be worded like: Jo Mama /w, with, or featuring Jo Papa.) that show bill is NOT the play order! If top billing is in question, those who set the gig up and invited anyone else are generally top billed.
Have your sound guy (this applies to DJ's too) start with the mains volume low and work up, not start at really f-in loud and work up to INSANELY F-IN LOUD. I might want to talk to that chick over there without screaming in her ear, that is, if she can still hear at all anymore. You are not Spinal Tap, Disaster Area, or The Who. You are playing in a local bar for crying out... quietly! I won't stick around if I can't conversate. Call me weird, I guess.
