Solo gig sound check?

Siamsa Sessions · 14-05-2012 02:23PM #1

Hi all,

I've been playing a few solo gigs lately and being relatively new to the game, I'm always a little worried that the sound could be better/improved.

The set up is vocals and acoustic guitar, with a Yamaha Stagepas 300 (http://www.thomann.de/ie/yamaha_stagepas_300.htm)

I know every venue is different, but I was just wondering if anyone could offer some "general" tips or hints for getting your sound right when you're on your own.

Thanks,
Kieran.

irlirishkev · 14-05-2012 07:51PM

Hmm.. I usually tell the barman to give me a holler if I'm too loud or too quiet.
If I have any friends there, I'll tell them to let me know if the mix is off.

I try and position one of the speakers behind me (if possible) or at least pointing in such a direction whereby I can hear what the audience can hear.

Other than that I think it's just a matter of getting used to your own system/sound etc..

Siamsa Sessions · 15-05-2012 03:43PM

Thanks Kev.

There was a fella in there one night who, despite being very "tired and emotional", still managed to tell me that the sound was a bit off. I twiddled around a bit til he was happy and gave me a thumbs up!

It was a laugh really and helped get the crowd going.

I'll try positioning the speakers as you suggest the next night and see if I can hear what yer man heard

Thanks again,
Kieran.

JonathanAnon · 19-05-2012 12:19PM

irlirishkev wrote: »

Hmm.. I usually tell the barman to give me a holler if I'm too loud or too quiet. If I have any friends there, I'll tell them to let me know if the mix is off.

Yeah that's what I do.. The bar staff are reluctant sometimes to say anything, cos they have an impression that we're all premadonnas... though I do know the case of one barman who told a pub singer that he was playing too loud and he said "Do I tell you how to pull your pint?"

I'd rather they tell me during the gig when I can do something about it, rather than tell me after when I cant.

sundodger5 · 22-05-2012 08:23PM

I bought a cheap in ear monitor setup, i take the main outs from the desk into it.
It means i can hear the levels the same as the audience.

Siamsa Sessions · 23-05-2012 08:46AM

Thanks for that sundodger.

Do you mind me asking how much roughly that in ear monitor set you back?

sundodger5 · 27-05-2012 08:35PM

Sorry for the slow reply
I picked this one http://www.thomann.de/ie/ld_systems_mei_100.htm
Cheaper are available i went for this as it had multiple frequencies.

Siamsa Sessions · 28-05-2012 12:00PM

Cheers again sundodger.

Solo gig sound check?

Comments