Lead singer telling me to turn it up?!?

[Tony]

It's a first in my 20+ years of playing guitar - a lead singer who insists that I play waaaay too loud. We're a three piece with a singer playing rock, blues and dance tunes, and this is easily the loudest I have played. Couldn't hear drums, or bass... just me. We don't mic my cab so I am carrying the room.

After last night's gig, my right ear is ringing like mad... it's like there's a hole in my hearing. Thinking I'll mic it next gig and if he wants it louder he can go bump the fader.

Anyone else dealt with this?

 

[Pat Healy]

My singer is always asking me to turn up. He really feeds off the energy of the guitar. I love it, though it's not as extreme as what you're describing - he wants to hear me over the other instruments, but not to the point that I drown them out.

Assuming he has a monitor of some kind, I'd do just what you said - mic your cab and turn up his monitor.

 

[Floyd Eye]

Get a sound guy. As a general rule you should not let a singer near any faders and should pretty much dismiss any opinion he gives on the mix, except possibly where HIS monitor is concerned. Truth.

 

[geddyentwistle]

he may be guitar frequency deaf... maybe guitar is buried by cymbals/hi-hat

... maybe put a separate 1x12 cab for him

 

[imastratoholic]

I'm so shy about my playing that the band is always telling me to turn up...not a good idea, but I do.
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[Tony]

The requests for more volume come when he walks around out in the house during solos and instrumental breaks, so I think he's wanting more out front rather than onstage - but since the guitar is not in the PA, we can't have one without the other. When it's loud enough that I can't hear the snare, that's a bad sign.

I agree re: probably best to have a sound guy.

 

[stevel]

The requests for more volume come when he walks around out in the house during solos and instrumental breaks, so I think he's wanting more out front rather than onstage - but since the guitar is not in the PA, we can't have one without the other. When it's loud enough that I can't hear the snare, that's a bad sign.

I agree re: probably best to have a sound guy.

Guitar should be in the PA. Guitar amps are more directional than bass or drums. Generally speaking, in order for a guitar amp to be heard in the corners of the room it will need to be so loud that those in direct line of the amp will hear nothing else.

You don't necessarily need a sound guy, but you do need someone in the band who knows how to run sound to run your board. Many bands successfully run sound from the stage (though no substitute for an actual sound man) but you need someone that knows what they're doing.

Steve

 

[twinrider1]

Or he thought you were playing Sweet Home Alabama.

 

[geddyentwistle]

revised opinion... agree with stevel

mic the guitar and put it through the p.a.

 

[Tony]

Guitar should be in the PA. Guitar amps are more directional than bass or drums. Generally speaking, in order for a guitar amp to be heard in the corners of the room it will need to be so loud that those in direct line of the amp will hear nothing else.

You don't necessarily need a sound guy, but you do need someone in the band who knows how to run sound to run your board. Many bands successfully run sound from the stage (though no substitute for an actual sound man) but you need someone that knows what they're doing.

Steve

I'm a fan of running guitar thru the PA as well. Still getting to know these guys (this was only our second gig), so I haven't rocked the boat much yet. But it's time, I think... I don't dig having the mids scooped out of my ear, which is what it feels like today.

 

[Brooks]

in the past if we we just running vocals thru the PA i'd put a 2nd guitar cab on the opposite side of the stage, not in the backline but up front w/ the PA cabs, helps spread the sound out w/o blowing away everyone onstage.

 

[mvd18969]

The band I am in does dance/party music with some select crowd pleasers from 80s-current mixed in. We mic everything including the kick and snare. We do have a sound man who I have been working with since the mid 80s so he knows what he is doing. A good sound man will be able to mic everything and get in all in the mix at an acceptable volume. We use a modest PA with the mains on stands and if the room is large enough, we'll bring a sub. Always a ton of compliments on our sound.

 

[The Kid]

Put your cab next to his head.