They’ve forced my hand (direct to PA)

[DankStar]

I did 3 live shows in 2024 - 2 small places and a mid-sized venue. At each I used my boogie subway rocket with a mic. At 2 of them I had people in the audience saying they had trouble hearing me.

As much as I like playing through an amp, I think I’m going to have to go direct at shows with a modeler/profiler and use my own wedge to monitor. Around here it would seem clubs don’t really like to mess with amps and maybe don’t even know how to properly mic and mix an amp anymore.

I don’t mind modelers but I’ve been hesitant to go direct and have the sound guy mess it up on his end (or have him ask me to change stuff in my presets on the fly). But if people can’t hear me with my real amp It can’t get much worse lol.

I’ll do a test with my cheapo harley Benton dna fix pro (has XLR outs unlike some small/budget units). The boosted plexi sounds killer with my own IRs. If people can at least hear me I’ll either stick with it or upgrade to a mini kemper or something.

Curious what other live guitarists are going with these days with a direct setup. Are you even bringing your own monitor or just using the venue’s? Perhaps you’re using in-ears? Anyone else experiencing mic’ed amp issues at venues these days?

 

[playas]

While I'm no expert, if you have it mic'd and they can't hear it... isn't the problem with the soundman rather than the amp you're using?

Were there two different people mixing in the places where people complained?

If they don't know how to mix an amp, I wouldn't imagine they'd know any better if you are using different equipment short of a high wattage amp to avoid the PA.

My 2c worth... again, no expert.

 

[jeremy]

in one of my band that gigs a few times a month, the other guitarist uses a headrush pedalboard. he loves it. i dont

 

[Securb]

While I'm no expert, if you have it mic'd and they can't hear it... isn't the problem with the soundman rather than the amp you're using?

100% plus if you are going directly to the board you are putting more of your fate in the hands of the sound guy. If you dig your on-stage gear I would consider getting a direct box. This way you get the best of both worlds and you get more control over your stage volume.

 

[DankStar]

For the bad mixed shows we’ve been the opening band - two different places with their sound guy (one seemed green the other just impersonal). I have a direct box, I could try that.

Yes it is a sound guy issue. My theory is that they DGAF about the opener and purposely give us a bad mix and also, I don’t think they want to mess with an opener’s amps, they just want to plug a cord in and get the opener out of the way as soon as they can.

I briefly considered bringing my 2 x 12 and just cranking it up but I’m thinking that won’t end well for me.

 

[Mincer]

I agree it being a soundguy issue. You can go direct (I use an amp with a direct out), but a bad soundguy is still going to be the problem. If they are not comfortable micing up an amp (which is the standard way of amplifying a guitarist for the past 60 years), they shouldn't be anywhere near a stage.

 

[Securb]

I always tip the sound guy before the show especially if we are using a headliner's guy. Those guys can be pissy because they are stuck working and mixing your band while everyone else is taking a dinner break. Some will intentionally give the opener a bad mix to make the headliner sound that much better. I would say your options are bribery or bringing your own sound guy. If we take a dinner break between soundcheck and the set I always ask the sound guy if we can bring him something back. Also, feed him beers during the night.

 

[DankStar]

Dang that’s a great idea. Money talks.

 

[DankStar]

I agree it being a soundguy issue. You can go direct (I use an amp with a direct out), but a bad soundguy is still going to be the problem. If they are not comfortable micing up an amp (which is the standard way of amplifying a guitarist for the past 60 years), they shouldn't be anywhere near a stage.

Yeah, in one case dude didn’t know his rear from a hole in the ground. Second guy was just miffed in general.

 

[DankStar]

in one of my band that gigs a few times a month, the other guitarist uses a headrush pedalboard. he loves it. i dont

You don’t like the sound he’s getting through the monitors?

 

[jeremy]

not particularly no. he uses a powered speaker on stage as well. i just dont really care for any of it. i played a few songs at a theater gig through his second one, and it was not a fun experience. but i am spoiled with my gear.

as everyone has said, its a sound guy issue. and the opening band typically gets little attention, unless like bruce, you bribe them. at places that ive only played a few times and the staff doesnt know me by name, i always throw the bartender $20 after my first (almost always free) drink. it sets the tone for the night and they are always super responsive and accommodating. sound guy might cost a bit more up front? we usually bring our own sound guy if we can, and if needed we can provide plenty of stage volume. i may only bring a 20w amp in, but i have 150w amp in the car at all times (crate powerblock) and a 1x12 cab.

ive seen big shows where the opening band sounds like crap. when the headliner starts, its like they turn the suck button off. its not just a club issue

 

[DankStar]

Great insights. Perhaps direct is not the tone paradise I think it is. I might give it a test at one low-risk gig just to see but chances are I’ll just keep using the amp setup and try the tip technique.

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Ya..I don't see how a mic'd amp though a decent PA "can't be heard" at a venue. Tell him (soundguy) to crank things up

This is why my band has our own sound guy who is pretty much a 5th member of the band...big open air fest or small pub ..the guy deliver's every time :bigthumb:

 

[Mincer]

Great insights. Perhaps direct is not the tone paradise I think it is. I might give it a test at one low-risk gig just to see but chances are I’ll just keep using the amp setup and try the tip technique.

Direct can be. It is just a newer technology than the older 'mic in front of an amp'. Any decent soundperson taking money to perform that task should be up on what at least half of the musicians have been doing for the past 30 years.

 

[Seashore]

There's always the humble, lowly full stack.

 

[DankStar]

There's always the humble, lowly full stack.

I think they kick musicians out of the club for those now haha

 

[Seashore]

Just tell them, if you can't handle me at my




you don't deserve me at my

 

[donaldr]

Dial your sound with your modeler on a real PA playing loud.
Leave yourself some room for quick adjustments. I usually dial my sound brighter and have my tone knob down a bit to compensate. Same with volume knob.
Then check your sound by playing over backing tracks (mp3 without guitars).
If it's sounds good and it fits well with drums/bass/keys/vocals then there's less room for the soundman to screw up.

 

[Bill Dennis]

I use this setup The HX is 4 cable. The switch on the right selects up/down through the HX presets. Lots of amp/gain options and lead boost from the Iridium. A wide variety of effects from the HX both in front of and after the Iridium as needed. Tap tempo for both DD-8 and HX if needed. The hardest part is getting the various amp selections from Iridium balanced properly. I would not call it cheap but at around $1100 its cheaper than most tube amps. I suppose the Katana stuff is a much cheaper option but I get to pick what I want in this approach

zz0.nh4w9iga2xzz

 

[Securb]

Another trick I use is to have my VOL pedal around 80% during sound check. It gives me a bit of juice when I want it without the soundman seeing me turn up my amp. If you do not have a VOL pedal turn the LEVEL on your dirt box down a bit during soundcheck.