My Amp and Effects Sounded Different Live

[JLagoon]

I did my first real gig last night with my band. After spending much time to hit a good volume balance and tone in practice, we discovered that the bass is too loud, my long delay (lead distorted) is not as noticeable, and my overall sound was slightly less bassier. Our audience, musicians and non-musicians, gave the same comments; and the live recording on CD showed the same case also.

The soundman was very nice to us. My cab was mic-ed with one sm57 mic. It is a stereo cab, should it be mic-ed with 2 mics in the next gig? I mean, my delay is in stereo and both sides do sound differently even without effects (different power tubes).

What could be the case, gentlemen?

Thanks!

 

[ErikH]

Re: My Amp and Effects Sounded Different Live

Easy...size of the room. When that changes, everything changes. If you can next time, get their early, set up, and do a sound check.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: My Amp and Effects Sounded Different Live

Yup different rooms=different sound.... also i have found when playing with my bands in the past my amps Bass responce disappeared in some rooms and i was cranking the bass up full.. And it is also known that Stereo Guitar rigs do sound great but sometimes they don't cut thru on stage as well...

 

[JLagoon]

Re: My Amp and Effects Sounded Different Live

Thanks for the replies!

Fortunately, we were the first band to perform and arrived very early. We even managed to chat with the soundman and played 2 full songs for sound check.

The studio where we usually practice is very compressed, i.e., insulation and smaller. The venue seemed to share the same width, but it's longer.

Oh, and I only use one 4x12. It doesn't get trouble in cutting through the mix at all.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: My Amp and Effects Sounded Different Live

on a side note have you guys ever played an empty hall soundcheck, and then do a show later when it is packed..... all those humans in there make one hell of a sound barrier blanket....

 

[LesStrat]

Re: My Amp and Effects Sounded Different Live

It is unlikely that the venue was as insulated. The materials used to build the room matter, too. The number of people in the room affects sound as well.

That's what soundcheck is for.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: My Amp and Effects Sounded Different Live

Thanks for the replies!

Fortunately, we were the first band to perform and arrived very early. We even managed to chat with the soundman and played 2 full songs for sound check.

The studio where we usually practice is very compressed, i.e., insulation and smaller. The venue seemed to share the same width, but it's longer.

Oh, and I only use one 4x12. It doesn't get trouble in cutting through the mix at all.

still there is something about some stereo rigs, when you split the signal up in a stereo power amp (kind of rack thing to do) that does not always cut thru like a cranked mono amp...

 

[Jay 77]

Re: My Amp and Effects Sounded Different Live

Playing outdoors is even more work....but so fun when you get a good sound dialed in.

 

[JLagoon]

Re: My Amp and Effects Sounded Different Live

Ah, we arrived so early, we had time to do a soundcheck without any audience.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: My Amp and Effects Sounded Different Live

Different room, different time, different ears....all factors.

They all can change. I've had gigs where I thought my tone was stellar and come to find out it sounded terrible 20 feet away. I've had nights where I thought it sounded god-awful and everyone commented on how great it was.

As far as micing, a single mic is fine. Your stereo effects are only going to be noticable if the soundguy is willing to put in the work to make the effect show, and odds are they aren't. Additionally, unless you're in that "sweet spot" in the crowd then you're unlikely to really even notice it.

In short...it's almost a hopeless task, second only to the thankless task the soundguy has for getting such an effect to work out.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: My Amp and Effects Sounded Different Live

That's what soundcheck is for.

I've never had the luxury of a sound check. Ever. In NY, the bands are packed so tightly on the bill that you get a line check, at best. Festival gigs are the same.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: My Amp and Effects Sounded Different Live

..... all those humans in there make one hell of a sound barrier blanket....

And comb filter, too.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: My Amp and Effects Sounded Different Live

I've never had the luxury of a sound check. Ever. In NY, the bands are packed so tightly on the bill that you get a line check, at best. Festival gigs are the same.

Yep, all you can do is get your rig sounding as good as possible, and realize that what you hear onstage will always be less than optimum. It sucks, but most venues were setup for serving food.....a far cry from acoustically designed.