Stage Volume

There's more to life than just amps?

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kpinks
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Stage Volume

Post by kpinks » Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:00 pm

I like to play loud, there is no bones about it. I realize this is a flaw in my playing style. Our bass player is having a real issue with me playing too loud (QuickRod volume about 9:00) plus Maxon OD-9 in front, od2, gear 2. Just wondering what volume other people are playing at on stage. I want to have a good mix like everyone else!
I was thinking I could turn my amp so that it faces across the stage (sidewash), and won't be blaring in the audiences face. But now the amp is facing the bass player who was complaining to begin with. I am running half-power.
How are the big guys like Skid Row, Ratt etc.. pulling this off? Do they have loud stage volumes?
Solutions please?

Concerned
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6string
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Re: Stage Volume

Post by 6string » Sun Sep 14, 2008 9:57 pm

Are you playing 5,000 to 15,000 seat venues?
Sorry, couldn't resist. Larger venues can handle high stage volumes. Bearable stage volume really depends on where you are playing. For a club gig I use a small combo or two that I can carry... 15-18 watt amps. On a large tour, large amps that the crew sets up.

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Re: Stage Volume

Post by 908ssp » Sun Sep 14, 2008 10:51 pm

Use the biggest amp you fit on the stage just buy good attenuator and don't set it any louder than absolutely necessary, your ears will thank you.

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Flames1950
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Re: Stage Volume

Post by Flames1950 » Sun Sep 14, 2008 10:57 pm

I always used a Marshall half-stack on eight in 200-300 seat clubs.

Don't aim it across at the other guys -- fire it into the wall on your side of the stage, with a couple of feet of room for you to go back and get some feedback going when needed. Then you can mike up and balance the FOH mix better while still getting cranked tone.

Now, of course, I use attenuators instead, as long as it's still just loud enought to get feedback.
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Re: Stage Volume

Post by Billy Batz » Mon Sep 15, 2008 7:46 am

Yeah, pointing the cab at the wall or even on its back is a tried and true method. I use attenuation too and I tend to balance the volume so that it fits in with the drums. If the volume on your side fits in with the drums then the bass should have no problem and if he still does then its his problem because he doesnt even have the volume to match the drummer.

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Re: Stage Volume

Post by Grosh_Guitars » Sun Sep 21, 2008 8:35 pm

I use a hotplate around -8dbs with the amp 100 watt SL on 10 going into to 4x12's. however my bass player has 2 8x10 ampeg cabs and 2 2x10's sitting on top of those as well. and My drummer bangs like Keith Moon, so usually the sound guy is telling my bass player to turn down and I come out smelling like a rose. :)
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Re: Stage Volume

Post by Roe » Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:22 am

Usually, I play small stages and clubs. often just 80 to 200 persons. I use a 2x12 or a 4x12. I've been using a small amp at full volume (jtm45, jtm50, komet, express, rottweiler, vibroverb, koch multitone), no attenuator.
This works well when I play with a loud drummer and when the whole band is used to loud drums and guitars. Usually the soundman will say that I am too loud if he hears the guitar before he hears the drums :D
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Re: Stage Volume

Post by yngwie308 » Mon Sep 22, 2008 6:48 pm

Use your guitar volume knob more! It sounds simple, but it is the key to many of the masters, different levels of loudness, not just full on loud, that gets old after a while in most cases, imo. :)
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Re: Stage Volume

Post by gutpile » Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:30 pm

most places I am @ -8db with a 100w, -4db with a 50w... I usually bring my Weber Mass 150 as a backup because sometimes I need that in between setting...
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Re: Stage Volume

Post by dcaster » Tue Sep 23, 2008 10:26 am

Just turn down. I have been the guy at the sound board trying to get a good mix on the band only to give up to some degree because I can't get the guitar player to turn down. If the sound guy has to bring everything up to get a balance on the band and the guitar is the loudest thing, then the club is going to empty. I have seen it happen and it really sucks for everyone involved. Especially the bar and they will probably not have your band back. Not to mention, you do want to be able to hear your grandchildren when you get older, right? I guess I may be doing something wrong. I can get the tone I want with turning my Carvin X-100B to about 2 on the master volume of both the clean and dirty channels. That way, I can still hear myself (sidewashing mind you) the rest of the band can hear me and the sound guy can get me into the mix so we sound good.

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Re: Stage Volume

Post by chubs » Tue Sep 23, 2008 10:47 am

One thing that I realised is that when you are standing in front of your amp and the speakers are blowing at the back of your legs.... you are not getting the same punch in the face the others are getting....

You need to turn the amp away from anyone (wall, back of stage) and mic it... or just point it at the drummer.... :P

15 feet away is where the max sound can be heard.... and that is usualy where the person with LSD (Lead-Signer-Syndrome) is standing.

So I find that turning it away is something that makes everyone happy... or get a 25watt amp and crank'er.

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Re: Stage Volume

Post by kpinks » Tue Sep 23, 2008 11:55 am

I actually have the amp raised off the floor by roughly 16" and I have now put a plexi-glass shield in front of the cab. I will try this at the next show.
Thanks for your help
Kev

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Re: Stage Volume

Post by blfrd » Tue Sep 23, 2008 1:17 pm

Last edited by blfrd on Wed Sep 24, 2008 12:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
If there's no quiet, there can be no loud.

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Re: Stage Volume

Post by worldoftone » Wed Sep 24, 2008 12:19 pm

I made a plexiglas shield and it works great. From last week:

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worldoftone
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Re: Stage Volume

Post by worldoftone » Wed Sep 24, 2008 12:24 pm

take a look at these:


http://www.clearsonic.com/4x12amps.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Why even bother bringing a 1/2 stack then. Talk about restrictor plate.

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