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Personalities and their Preferences (Managing Stage Volume, part 3)

Excellence in the Arts - by - July 27, 2009 - 16:18 Etc/GMT+5 - 2 Comments

“My bass amp goes to 11 and it sounds best there.”

The truth of the matter is music, what makes a good mix and what sounds good are all subjective and relative to both the context and personal opinion of those listening.

Sometime the first step in dealing with the stage sound level is getting everyone involved to acknowledge that what they want is not the most important issue.  We all need to remember why we do what we do – what is the purpose of our gathering?  Once that is agreed upon we can work as a team to solve the level problems.

Next, realize if you are on the platform, it is never going to sound like it does in the house (out in the congregation).  The acoustical atmosphere is different, sound is coming from different sources and different directions (such as directly from the instruments, not through the sound system), the congregation is “out there” not around you – basically you are in a completely different context!

What does each team member need to hear to play well or sing well?  Try and get by with as little as possible to allow you to hear yourself.  Work together to get each person what they need.  Reduce competing sound sources, getting the sound where it needs to be and limiting it where it doesn’t.

And if your Amp sounds best at 11, let’s talk about amp boxes.

Next: Turn it Down!

Previous:
Part 2: What should the stage dB be?
Part 1: Managing Stage Volume Levels

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