Running Soundboard For The First Time Last Night
A new band in the area is just starting up and they played their first gig last night. One of my former bandmates is in this new group. He called me up a couple weeks ago and asked if they could hire me to run sound for them. Well, I've never run my soundboard for another band, but since my band was not playing this weekend, I said I would do the gig for them.
The only problem was that it was a benefit gig. I knew that. So my first question to my former bandmate was if the band was getting paid. Of course, they were not. No surprise, it was also their first gig. Anyway, I said I would run sound for them but I did want a small token for my time, effort and equipment. I figure you got to ask for something. If you don't value your own time, effort and investment, then maybe no one else will either.
Over the last two weeks, the requests grew to bringing my light set, extra mics and cables for the band, and the bass player wanted to borrow my amp (he had a 15 watt bass amp). Yeah, OK. I already had everything loaded in the van from my band's last gig anyway. On the way out the door, I got a call asking if I had a two tier keyboard stand they could use. OK, loaded that in the van too.
After getting setup, ran a good sound check and everything was working great. Finished the sound checks about an hour before the show. Nice not to be rushed. The band had time to relax before the gig and I put on some break music and kicked back.
The night went really well. The band was good, although at times you could tell it was their first night. The female lead singer has a voice no one can match around here. The drummer was a true pro. The young bass player loved playing my amp. At 120 watts it blew him away compared to his 15 watt amp. And of course, the amp was jacked into the board and most of his sound was coming out of the FOH speakers. Sounded great. The lead guitarist, my former bandmate (Shredd, not the one who gave me so many problems) really had a good night. It was great to see him back on stage. He left my band due to personal reasons, but he left us under great terms and no hard feelings. Sometimes people have to work out issues. I was really happy to see him looking, feeling, and playing so good again.
I had lots of fun running the board. I've had my mixer for over a year now, but this was the first time I was behind the board and not on stage. I was pleasantly surprised as to how well my system sounds. I had plenty of sweet bass on the bottom, the drums were sitting great in the pocket, and I raised/lowered the lead guitarist as necessary with his solos.
The only problem I had, was that the female lead vocal had such a range of sounds in her voice that I was never happy with how I had her eq'd in the mix. I've never worked with a female singer before, and it was different for me. Nobody complained, but I thought I could have done better on her vocals. I'll be reading about how to make sure the lead vocal stands out in the mix. If you guys have some suggestions, I'm all ears. Again, nobody complained and we received lots of complements on the sound, but I just think it could be even better. Maybe.
Anyway, had lots of fun last night. It's a whole lot less stressful behind the board than playing onstage and trying not to muck up the song. My system was better than I thought and it holds its own against some other local bands that have invested many thousands more in their PA. Lesson learned, spending several thousand dollars more for a system does not necessarily mean the band will sound any better. At least not in these small to medium sized venues. I had lots of overhead left on my system that went unused.
I'm not ready to put my guitar and mic away and run sound for the young kids just yet. But I did have a good time out front running the board, so maybe that will be my second career as a musician. Who knows?
Would love to hear any suggestions on how to make a lead vocal, female or male, stand out clear in the mix. I think I could improve on that. Best wishes.
The only problem was that it was a benefit gig. I knew that. So my first question to my former bandmate was if the band was getting paid. Of course, they were not. No surprise, it was also their first gig. Anyway, I said I would run sound for them but I did want a small token for my time, effort and equipment. I figure you got to ask for something. If you don't value your own time, effort and investment, then maybe no one else will either.
Over the last two weeks, the requests grew to bringing my light set, extra mics and cables for the band, and the bass player wanted to borrow my amp (he had a 15 watt bass amp). Yeah, OK. I already had everything loaded in the van from my band's last gig anyway. On the way out the door, I got a call asking if I had a two tier keyboard stand they could use. OK, loaded that in the van too.
After getting setup, ran a good sound check and everything was working great. Finished the sound checks about an hour before the show. Nice not to be rushed. The band had time to relax before the gig and I put on some break music and kicked back.
The night went really well. The band was good, although at times you could tell it was their first night. The female lead singer has a voice no one can match around here. The drummer was a true pro. The young bass player loved playing my amp. At 120 watts it blew him away compared to his 15 watt amp. And of course, the amp was jacked into the board and most of his sound was coming out of the FOH speakers. Sounded great. The lead guitarist, my former bandmate (Shredd, not the one who gave me so many problems) really had a good night. It was great to see him back on stage. He left my band due to personal reasons, but he left us under great terms and no hard feelings. Sometimes people have to work out issues. I was really happy to see him looking, feeling, and playing so good again.
I had lots of fun running the board. I've had my mixer for over a year now, but this was the first time I was behind the board and not on stage. I was pleasantly surprised as to how well my system sounds. I had plenty of sweet bass on the bottom, the drums were sitting great in the pocket, and I raised/lowered the lead guitarist as necessary with his solos.
The only problem I had, was that the female lead vocal had such a range of sounds in her voice that I was never happy with how I had her eq'd in the mix. I've never worked with a female singer before, and it was different for me. Nobody complained, but I thought I could have done better on her vocals. I'll be reading about how to make sure the lead vocal stands out in the mix. If you guys have some suggestions, I'm all ears. Again, nobody complained and we received lots of complements on the sound, but I just think it could be even better. Maybe.
Anyway, had lots of fun last night. It's a whole lot less stressful behind the board than playing onstage and trying not to muck up the song. My system was better than I thought and it holds its own against some other local bands that have invested many thousands more in their PA. Lesson learned, spending several thousand dollars more for a system does not necessarily mean the band will sound any better. At least not in these small to medium sized venues. I had lots of overhead left on my system that went unused.
I'm not ready to put my guitar and mic away and run sound for the young kids just yet. But I did have a good time out front running the board, so maybe that will be my second career as a musician. Who knows?
Would love to hear any suggestions on how to make a lead vocal, female or male, stand out clear in the mix. I think I could improve on that. Best wishes.
Comments
I'm no expert re: mixing, so I can't offer any tips for mixing vox. Anything I'd think of has surely crossed your mind, and g probably dealt with somewhere back when the word \"bong\" stopped describing the sound a large bell makes.
But you're on the right track when you think about clarity and separation. I s'pose that's where the EQ'g comes in, and a voice will certainly have different requirements than say, mic'g an instrument amp or whatever. Certainly a larger range, and less predictable dynamics.
My suggestion is to have her dress provocatively and thoroughly scan the crowd for tall, lean git'r players that love female vocalists. :twisted:
I'm hoping that some of the guys with experience behind the board might help me in that respect. Not to pat myself on the back, but I thought I had pretty much nailed it last night - except that I thought I could have improved the female lead vocal if I had really known what I was doing.
The band was extremely happy with the show and with my sound support, so that's good. The band got asked to play this coming weekend, but I think the band needs to get paying gigs. They need lots of equipment for themselves (bass amp, keyboard stand, mics and cables, lights, and either their own sound system or hire someone for sound support). So they asked if I was available for sound support next weekend if they worked out getting paid for the gig. I heard them talking about not doing another gig there unless they get paid. Probably a smart strategy. You can't play free gigs long and pay your own bills. And they are good enough to get paid. These are not amateurs.
Almost suggested that! The singer has a great voice, like I said, best female vocal in the area, but she is also very good looking. Unfortunately, she was standing behind a two tier keyboard stand with a book of sheet music on the music stand of the higher keyboard. She was mostly hidden behind the gear all night. It was their first night out, and it was obvious she was reading music and lyrics of some of the songs. So she needed her music books. But my only suggestion to the band was to get her to get rid of the book as soon as possible so the audience could see her better. Or, think about turning the keyboards sideways for the next show. She is the main attraction in the band, and you really could not see her that well.
Someone overheard the conversation I was having with the drummer (perhaps the most experienced member of the band and is acting as the leader at this point) about the singer needing to get out from behind the keyboards and show herself more. The drummer knew exactly what I was talking about. Anyway, this other person said something like, well, she's a great singer and people come to hear her sing. To which I responded, yes, she is a great singer, but I can gaurantee you that people, both men and women, want to see her while she sings. She's great eye candy for the guys and the girls all want to be her up on stage. You just can't go wrong by having your main attraction step out from behind the keyboards. Or at least turn the keyboards sideways so the audience can see her better.
And yes, Shredd, you would have enjoyed her dress. When it came time for the show, this young lady hit the dressing room and traded her tee shirt, blue jeans and tennis shoes in for a very nice cut dress and heels showing legs and cleavage. (And then stood behind the keyboards with music stand all night!)! But she dressed classy, not trashy, which worked great for their music. So, yeah, she understands the importance of looking good, but just fell short on the keyboard issue. Small issue that I'm sure they will adjust for their next show.
Actually, she reminds me a lot of the 'songbird', who you'll surely recall I played with in WY for a time. Sang like an angel, easily the best in the area, and pretty hott too. And a born performer...no problem getting her out front.
(on the left)
And if, as you mentioned, they're a new outfit, they'll surely fine-tune things, including her learning the songs with less support from music books and lyric sheets. Sounds like she's got the look down though... 8^p~~~