Last weekend (8 days ago) I got a call from a musical pal who asked me to join him at his gig later that evening. I was doing an afternoon show but that was okay. I had everything I needed with me. When my gig ended, I packed up, and drove across town.

For the rest of this post, all references to left and right will be left and right as you view it looking at the sketches.

I put the L1® a couple of feet to the left of the Drummer. When the fellow to the left of me arrived, he wanted more space and wanted me as close as possible to the Drums. He ended up with his gear and instruments spread out using most of the left side of the stage. So they put me front and centre. I was just barely in front of the Drums and blinded by the lights that were on the floor aimed up. That's me in the middle with the T1®. The black things at the foot of the stage were "Mains" lying on their side leaning on the edge of the stage. These were the monitors. The big Front of House speakers are not in the Sketch.



I wish I could tell you that this was a great time but it was struggle all night for everybody.

From left to right in the Sketch

• The Vocalist/Guitarist said that I was too loud. He couldn't hear the people on the other side of the stage.
  
• The Drummer said that he had to hit really hard to hear himself over me.
  
• I was playing and singing by ear. I was trapped between the Drums and the blinding lights. It was so loud overall I had to wear earplugs. The Drums were between me and the L1®.
  
• The Bassist said that he couldn't hear himself because of the excessive stage volume.
  
• The Vocalist/Guitarist said he couldn't hear me or the Vocalist/Guitarist on the other side of the stage.
  

It was LOUD.

We talked about the problems during the breaks but nobody wanted to rearrange the stage.

This week they asked me back. I was a little surprised to get the call. So when I finished my show I hustled across town and got there in time for setup. This time there they asked me where I wanted to be. I took the corner.



The difference was huge. The Drummer was not competing with the L1® so he didn't have to hit so hard to hear himself. Our stage volume was way down. We had a great time and by all reports, so did the audience.

Here is how the stage was positioned in the room.

Just curious, ST ...

What is the covering/composition of the walls? It can sometimes be an 'aural problem' to have an L1 in a corner ... did you notice an 'oddity' to your sound -- or were you just relieved to not have to wear earplugs?!?!?

Hi Dan,

Thanks for the questions Dan. You are right. It was great not to have to wear earplugs or be blinded by the light.

I think the walls were pretty standard drywall. On the left side it was an exterior wall. The back wall actually bisects the building. Behind that wall is a stairwell leading to another area, and beyond that, there is a big bar area.

I didn't hear any strange artifacts.

Acoustic Guitar Issues - Bass in the Corner?

When I was playing solo (acoustic Guitar and Vocals) plus Drums, I was fine filling up the space nicely. There were people dancing and in the lounging and dining areas, folks were having quiet conversations.

When playing acoustic Guitar with the band was a little harder with occasional runaway of the open E and A strings.

At the time I wished that I had pulled the B1 out of the corner, but on reflection I turning down the low end was probably just as appropriate while playing with the band.

I think that if there were issues arising from the Cylindrical Radiator® being in the corner, I was far enough away not to hear them. I was at least 8 feet out.

I thought about it, and I wasn't really equidistant from the walls. It probably looked more like this.


Edit: typo - near changed to hear

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ST,

quote:

I thought about it, and I wasn't really equidistant from the walls

...that, and the walls NOT being wood panel or hard plaster/stone/brick, probably minimized the "side reflections from the walls causing any aural disturbances.

Wow, ST, that first night sounds like a nightmare...I am amazed you were willing to go back for another go. I'm glad they listened to your input and things went a lot better the second time around.

Wild gig ST...

Isn't it funny how we (musicians, common Musical DNA guys) see a relatively common phrase, and automatically think of the classic song? The corollary to that of course is "speaking in song titles", or phrases...

That Song With The Funky Break...

MIKE

Hi David,

quote:

Originally posted by David A:
Wow, ST, that first night sounds like a nightmare...I am amazed you were willing to go back for another go. I'm glad they listened to your input and things went a lot better the second time around.

Thanks.

The first night was tough, but I've been through lots worse.

I have that streak of optimism that keeps many of us going back out there despite experience that suggests otherwise. At least this time we had talked during the evening, and I had been pretty candid about what I thought was going on. That's partly why I was surprised to get the call the second time. But it signalled that they were willing to consider doing things differently. So how could I, an infernal optimist, turn that down.

It is a nice room and I enjoyed being there, chatting with people in the audience, and taking the opportunity to find out more about what motivates people to join us in our live musical adventures.

It was also a rare treat to do the solo plus live Drums deal as I opened the night with a set.

You can see that it's a decent sized room. Certainly big enough to let 'er rip on the electric with the band, and big enough to do that without hurting anyone.

Good times.