Verse -> Chorus guitar volume change?

[No_Where_Fast]

Ok, some of my band's songs have pretty heavy riffs which kick-off the song then repeat under the verses. Obviously when the song starts the volume of the guitar has to sit just right in the live mix, but I have a voice very similarly pitched to the guitar, so when the vocal starts, even though I'm sing fairly loud, it blends into the guitar.

So should the guitar level drop slightly in the verses to allow room for the vocal?

I figure I can use my Bad Bob Boost to achieve this if I just set it at a level less than unity so when I switch it on for verses the guitar level drops slightly.

What do you think?

[Grandor]

Re: Verse -> Chorus guitar volume change?

record it and experiment.
ask the rest of the band

[tone4days]

Re: Verse -> Chorus guitar volume change?

yeah, its usually a good idea to let the vocals be loudest during parts when there are vocals ...

roll back the volume knob when you sing?

pick lighter when you sing?

volume pedal?

the BBB solution seems like it would work too, if it doesnt color the tone unpleasantly


good luck
t4d

[NecroPolo]

Re: Verse -> Chorus guitar volume change?

Most definitely, yes. If you leave space fort the vocals the overall sound of your band will improve. The thing that works for me is to use slightly less gain on the amp that I would normally use. As you roll back a littlebit the gain pot the compression will be decreased so your playing dynamics will come through better. When a verse comes I just play softer. When the chorus comes I beat the shyyt out from the axe. As a positive advantage, less distortion comes with better definition that also improves overall band sound.

As a less positive advantage, you have to play better because there is less dirt to cover your a$$

[Stevo]

Re: Verse -> Chorus guitar volume change?

Forget vocals! You are a guitar player

Actually, in the real world, the vocals should be very up front if you want to be taken seriously. You can get creative with panning, and stereo effects also. It's always a challenge, but you should take a lot of time in the final mix.

[No_Where_Fast]

Re: Verse -> Chorus guitar volume change?

Thanks everyone for your replies! I'll try out a few of your suggestions in practice tonight!

[moog1000]

Re: Verse -> Chorus guitar volume change?

Definitely a +1 for rolling back on the volume pot.

[NecroPolo]

Re: Verse -> Chorus guitar volume change?

Forget vocals! You are a guitar player