Band Amplification

[FZiegler]

In fact, I can't help, but I'm quite sure you could improve the quality of recommendations if you explain what type of music you are making. You're more into rock and pop than jazz, right? What about any type of 'electronic' music?

[Elias]

In fact, I can't help, but - - if you explain what type of music you are making.

Probably a somewhat relevant aspect now that I think about it. We play rock, funk and EDM covers. Vulfpeck, Michael Jackson, Katy Perry, Queen, AC/DC. Lots of four on the floor, distorted guitar, lots of synths.

I'm not looking for a specific list of things to buy and set up. Just alternative approaches, as I am mostly familiar with our current one.

[florence]

My single biggest lesson from my experience is that the job of the PA system is to amplify VOCALS ONLY, and nothing else.

Hi

That's a very interesting topic! Having only the vocals in PA, ok, smart and simple to install.

By default we are doing this too, but wondering what you feed in your monitors. Only the vocals too? or are you adding a mic on the guitars amp?

[harmonizer]

If your PA does not amplify the other instruments (drums, guitars, keys, etc), then those will need to be turned up loud enough on stage to be heard by all the audience - even in the back. This can work, but I consider it non-optimum, and will lead to very loud stage volume. In my experience, the only way to get your drummer to tune their kit to be less loud is to assure them their kit will be amplified by the PA. It's a lot more work, but I can't play in a band unless the stage volume of the drums and guitars are kept reasonable.

[harmonizer]

And if you don't mic and amplify the kit, you might as well just tell your drummer to leave the kick drum and hi hat at home, because no one is going to hear them.

[florence]

And if you don't mic and amplify the kit, you might as well just tell your drummer to leave the kick drum and hi hat at home, because no one is going to hear them.

my message was for bar gigs context, smaller venues only.

[ajstan]

I’m a little late to the party, but here’s a list of what my 6-piece band has grown into over the past 4 years. By choice, we have never run our own sound. We always hired a sound company or used the venue’s/event’s equipment and sound man. You don’t have to do everything that’s listed, but everything you add will improve your sound and playing experience.

- Eliminate as much stage volume as you can
- Everyone use IEMs
- Build your own stage box with something like a Behringer XR-18 and splitter so you have control to have a consistent monitor mix regardless of who is running FOH.
- Ampless Guitar and Bass
- Properly mic’d and EQ’d drums
- Drummer that is not a caveman and can adjust to the space
- Properly EQ’d vocals with microphones that match the voices
- Arrangements where instruments live in their own place in the mix
- High quality mains (tops and subs).
- High quality sound man running FOH that’s there to play the songs along with the band.

For the smallest of venues, you could eliminate the subs and have the bass player bring a small cabinet to cover the low end.