FRFR performance volume

[jrioux]

Given that the patches I plan to use in live performance model different amps, with different settings, and there are different effects, with their own settings, and so on, how does one work it out that the sound coming to the FRFR (my monitor) is at about the same level. I know the sound guy is taking my signal and sending it out to the PA at good volumes, but some of my patches end up being (or at least sounding) louder than others. Is there an easy way to make sure I'll hear myself adequately, but not too loudly, through my monitors, or should I just check the decibel level of the sound coming out for each, and adjust accordingly?

[hurghanico]

Before gig you should level your patches, and possibly at gig volume..

 

using db meters as a reference for leveling/comparing different patches is not a good method , as they work quite differently than human perception..

use only the ears, choose a clean patch, set the maximum possible volume for it without getting unintentional distortion, and use it as a reference to set the volume of all other patches, clean ones and in particular distorted ones

 

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help and useful tips

[jrioux]

When you say "use it as a reference to set the volume of all other patches, clean ones and in particular distorted ones", do you mean " use the numbers of the acceptable clean patch to set the numbers for the other patches", or "use your ears and listen to the clean, then the patch to be adjusted, then the clean--back-and-forth--until they are equally loud"?

[silverhead]

I believe he means use your ears.

[pianoguyy]

And, if possible, use a recorded loop for the playing part. That way you can concentrate on the editing part. 

It makes life easier if you can focus on one thing at a time. Plus, you know that a recording will always be the same thing over and over. 

 

Ok, sure, different tones may require different playing techniques which will alter the volume. So, it isn't necessarily a full-proof method. But at least it is fool-proof. 

It will get you pretty close. Just then need to fine tune manually. 

[jrioux]

Great. Sounds do-able.

[hurghanico]

2 hours ago, jrioux said:

When you say "use it as a reference to set the volume of all other patches, clean ones and in particular distorted ones", do you mean " use the numbers of the acceptable clean patch to set the numbers for the other patches", or "use your ears and listen to the clean, then the patch to be adjusted, then the clean--back-and-forth--until they are equally loud"?

 

Don't rely to the numbers, the same number can give much different results for each different patch.. especially comparing the cleans to the distorted ones the volume value needed in each case can easily differ much from the other, generally the cleans need higher volume level values/numbers than the distorted ones..

 

In my previous post I said use only the ears to make decisions and set each level (number), and when I said use the chosen clean patch as a reference I meant to say memorize your perception of its volume (again don't see the numbers or db meters), and set the leveles of the other patches to get the same volume perception of your reference patch, all by ear.

 

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help and useful tips

[jrioux]

Thanks, you two. I've been amazed at how little effect my 'own' monitor has beyond my own space on stage. Here I was, thinking I must be drowning out everything the others are playing and yet, when I walked just a few steps away from the speaker, I could hardly hear myself. Luckily, what I hear is not necessarily what the sound guy will present to the audience!

[pianoguyy]

so, in other words.... 

instead of adjusting the volume of your patches, you are just going to walk to a different place where it isn't as loud?

[hurghanico]

2 hours ago, jrioux said:

when I walked just a few steps away from the speaker, I could hardly hear myself.

 

get a second monitor and position it differently to cover your eventual movements on stage, or switch to using in ear monitors

 

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help and useful tips

[jrioux]

No. No, I definitely still plan to equalize the patch volumes. I was just observing that my own ability to work my patches out so that I hear them correctly is (fortunately) not the crucial thing, as my monitor’s sounds are not the ones that make it to the audience.

[pianoguyy]

1 hour ago, jrioux said:

my monitor’s sounds are not the ones that make it to the audience.

 

You've said this before. 

But.... You're wrong. That IS the sound they hear. 

Sure, your sound man is making adjustments as the night goes on. But it is still your sound he is putting out. 

 

And, do you really want to be "that guy". The one that is too lazy to adjust his own patches, forcing the sound guy to constantly "earn his pay". 

Besides, the mix will be thrown off until he gets it adjusted. ~~ perfect night. perfect crowd. perfect setlist. and you turn on your patch, and you ruin it. 

[jrioux]

“No. No, I definitely still plan to equalize the patch volumes.”