Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

live mixing-checking front of house mix on headphones

  • 26-05-2011 11:43pm
    #1
    pistonsvox
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 503 ✭✭✭


    Whats your opinion on checking your FOH mix on your cans during a gig. Was mixing a gig the other day that didnt have the best mix position and was pretty much working off reflective sound. I would have went up close to the front to have a listen but was packed out and i wasnt getting anywhere:pac:.

    I know you wouldnt have much say on bass response through cans but maybe for checking vocal balances and other stuff, and if the PA is tuned good enough, and saying the stage volume is not overly loud would you say its practical to keep on checking your cans?


Comments

  • #2
    off.the.walls
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,298 ✭✭✭off.the.walls


    glass of water+bins, if it gets knocked over ur bass is perfect thats how i did it, but the tops it should be pretty much the same mix in ur headphones thats coming out front of house.


  • #3
    mkegvn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 144 ✭✭mkegvn


    off.the.walls wrote: »
    glass of water+bins, if it gets knocked over ur bass is perfect thats how i did it, but the tops it should be pretty much the same mix in ur headphones thats coming out front of house.

    are you serious?


  • #4
    off.the.walls
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,298 ✭✭✭off.the.walls


    For kick drum if i could get it knocked in 10 beats of less i was happy with it. The rest of it i just did by ear.


  • #5
    if6was9
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 180 ✭✭if6was9


    I don't trust the cans mix live. Tried it a good few times and never could rely on it, just doesn't give you an accurate enough idea of what it sounds like in the room and when you're mixing a live gig thats what matters.

    Cans are great though for finding problems and checking channels during a gig.


  • #6
    pistonsvox
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 503 ✭✭✭pistonsvox


    true the room is a big factor alright. I'll keep experimenting though :pac:


  • Advertisement
  • #7
    CJKeane
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 256 ✭✭CJKeane


    What's stopping you from walking out into the crowd and checking your mix that way?


  • #8
    TheBigRedDog
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 153 ✭✭TheBigRedDog


    CJKeane, he said it was packed. I've worked in the same situation a lot. Very awkward and difficult sometimes. Customers/managers don't want you constantly pushing by, spilling pints etc.

    It's mostly fine when you have the place set up so that the amps and drums are far enough away from the crowd (or low volume). It means that what you hear in your head is roughly what is heard by the audience. Otherwise you've got to factor in the volume of the natural drums and amps in the room.

    That's just to judge the levels and balance mind. Very different thing making it sound good and well mixed. Then you have to hear it yourself. I use them for problem solving, initial mixing and quick setups.

    I worked for restaurants and pubs and after a few nights I learn the style of the usual bands, the acoustics, level of natural drums etc. Set up educated guess/generic mix, get them playing on their first song, problem solve, initial mix for audience, check monitor mix for artists and then go and check in audience multiple positions.

    Certainly not ideal but such is life. A good idea I try to do is when you're happy with the mix in the crowd go back and listen to the headphones and contrast the levels etc. Then you know for the rest of the gig. J


Advertisement