Phil
Senior Engineer
Posts: 178
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Post by Phil on Jul 8, 2007 13:50:15 GMT 1
Hi there people, What outboard gear would you usually carry,
Drums Compressors? - kick & snare
Acoustics Compressor?
Amps Possibly reverb.
Bass Compressor
Keys None
Vox Reverb Compressor - powerful singers?
I know that it is all about what sounds good and I guess its just down to me experimenting and then i will just know from experience, like all other sound stuff?
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Post by soundmanjim on Jul 8, 2007 21:48:45 GMT 1
'Ello Phil
I normally carry a small box of gadgets with me to the smaller gigs - i normally bring a few gates to put on any dodgy sounding drums - but i try not to use them unless i really have to as it does spoil the sound a tad if you set them wrong - also drummers tend to whinge about their mix in the wedge if you use a gate - don't forget you are affecting that as well.
Compressors i normally use on vocals (esp female voice) and keyboards, the former can have lots of loud and soft passages that need enhancing or reducing, and the latter will probably have patches that are at different volume levels.
I wouldn't put a compressor on an acoustic Guitar unless i really know what i was doing - there is a danger that a quiet passage could ramp up in gain and cause a howl that will be really shocking to the crowd -nothing worse than feedback on an acoustic gig - im like a bag of nerves when im doing acoustics!!! never leave the desk when someones playing an acoustic guitar. LOL. Best thing to do is experiment with them.
I sometimes use a Yamaha rev500 on vocals to give a nice bit of edge - used carefully they sound very nice - used over-zealously and it sounds ridiculous - and the margin is VERY narrow.
Bass, defo use a compressor BUT bear in mind that we all used to do just fine without all these gadgets - i try and get the sound as good as i can without the rack; then add them after if they really are needed.
Sometimes ive got away without using grafs!
By all means put up a rack and switch it on - the punters and your employer will think it looks really pro, even if they arent doing anything. LOL.
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Phil
Senior Engineer
Posts: 178
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Post by Phil on Jul 8, 2007 22:45:33 GMT 1
Thanks Jim.
So the really good kick drum sounds are probably not always done with outboard gear? - I've only ever had 58 copy on kick and i just get a muffled thud lol. I do really need to buy some drum mics but its like everything in this biz. MONEY! I better start getting out more.
Regarding me doing more gigs, I have am currently setting up my own 3k rms system with x4 15" subs and x2 12" mid-highs. So that will get me out more on my own.
I usually work with a duo so i get 1/3 of money coz i'm one of the 3 so I cant complain. That is currently paying off loans from my big bro lol.
cheers
ps check out my new site design. I know the spec doesnt look that good on gear but I didnt want to put down all the gear I borrow from people, even though its just about mine.
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Post by soundmanjim on Jul 9, 2007 12:56:53 GMT 1
you'll be suprised what you can get a way with using an sm58 - i normally can get quite a nice kick sound out of one. Really good kick drum sounds come from a really good kick drum kicked by a really good drummers foot - no amount of gating or compression will make a naff drummer sound good. I jave just bought another 3 e604's from ebay, from as guy in america - even with the import duty and postage its still £30 cheaper than over here. type e604 in an ebay search and you will find it - in USA. If you cant afford a lot of drum mikes, at least get a 57 for snare, a good kick mike (i use a sennheiser 602 mk2) and a good ciondenser for overhead duties (and these will pick up the toms good enough) so go for an AKG d1000 or sennheiser E614 (i have a pair and they sound great on toms). Don't get the rubbish Samson ones, they are CRAP and the brackets break almost the second you get them out of the box. i actually threw mine in the bin, i was so disgusted.
I seem to remember seeing that Audix are doing a bargain cheap end set of mikes for drums too.
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Post by gingerbiscuit69 on Jul 9, 2007 22:28:43 GMT 1
Audix are quality, gota large set coming in post with 2 kicks, snare bottom, (gota 57 on top snare), 2x D2 tom toms, 2x D3 tom toms and a D4 for floor tom, pair of their large diaphram condensors for overheads. and yes ... doing a lot of work atm with double kick kits with large racks of toms (who tribute, and many metal bands)!! got this lot at a very good price direct from factory through a good friend who solders the things together! im a happy man!
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Phil
Senior Engineer
Posts: 178
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Post by Phil on Jul 9, 2007 22:41:34 GMT 1
I was looking at getting one of the £86 drum mic sets with clips from thomann with the CD55 and clips. I was just going to use them on toms as you can get away with it more and then get a nice kick mic, probs a sennheiser over a shure costing around £90 and then get a beta 57 for snare. Ive seen and heard a few people using a beta 57 and they sound quite good. Mind I think I would have to hire or get a lend of a 57 and a beta 57 and test thm side by side and see which i prefer.
I use one of those behringer 32 ch desks with a band, not the best of things but it seems to manage for pub suff. I was thinking would you think it would work taking the Fx sends 1+2 into their own stereo channels so I could have it on a fader and set the monitors sends on.
Cheers
Phil
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Post by soundmanjim on Jul 9, 2007 23:41:19 GMT 1
entirely up to you - i like the feel of a fader on an effects return so i can bring the effec t in and out in a song if it merits it (and the band want me too of course); so i route say aux 7 to one effect, normally reverb, then route that back to a stereo return or just a vacant channel, and do aux 8 for delay and route that back through the fader next door. This way you can also send a bit through the monitors to cheer up the band - although some desks allow you to do this even if you don't route thru a channel, like Alto for example (cough)
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