Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Jump to content

Live questions


CEarnhart87
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hello All, I have been using the Helix floor since 2018 and while it is a cool unit i constantly have issues with live sound; yes I know this has been talked about. I have JBL 305 studio monitors at home and my band, Skinny Powers, uses IEM with no amps on stage. At home I use the JBL's as well as my in ears to set up patches but from what I have read there is no way to ensure good live sound without having what the venue uses. The issue is all our venues have decent house systems and the band practices with in ears only;It seems to me that I will never find the right settings. I really dig the tones i get when i set them up using in ears at home and the JBL's but my understanding is that this will never translate to the house PA. I do not have the funds to buy a 2K powered frfr (which is what i assume these venues use), so my question is, should i sell the helix and just go back to tube? Thank you all. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 12/18/2020 at 12:14 PM, CEarnhart87 said:

should i sell the helix and just go back to tube?

1. that would, IMO, be a band decision. Not a you decision. 

If the band is ampless, and you insist on using an amp - you're out. Guitar players are a dime a dozen, we'll replace you quite easily. In fact, it would be so easy to replace you, that it would become hard. Not because you are special, but because we would need to decide which of the 100 'perfect' applicants to replace you with. THAT is the hard part. Not lack of choices, but too many choices. 

2. an amp is not going to give you the variety you get from a modeler. 

so, if you can get away with "one sound", then it makes no difference what you use. 

 

 

Now, you see, that was the answer to the question. But as to the solution to the problem that caused the question - 

This has been discussed/debated ad nauseam. (not always be professionals or even "professionals")

And, while it is true that every system and venue is different and you will never truly sound the same going from one to the other - it simply isn't true. A 'flat' system (such as a PA or FRFR) is a flat system. You can't get any flatter than flat. You are either flat or you are not. 
So, then, the question is - what is different between your headphones (IEM is nothing more than a fancy word for really expensive headphones) at home and your headphones at the office. Because something somewhere is changing something. 

 

Could it be a phase issue. - fix via eq 
Could it be a hearing issue - fixed by standing somewhere else 

Could it be a person issue - amazing how a sound man loses his ability to mix sounds when you take the same wire that would be plugged into a mic in front of an amp and you plug it into a box that simulates a mic in front of an amp. I mean, who ever would have thought that the mic could Jedi Mind Trick someone like that. 

Could it be a space issue, where it sounds different because you aren't in the same small room with sound bouncing off the walls and floors - probably not, if you are using headphones. 

 

 

I say NO. You don't need to switch to a physical amp if you are getting good tone out of your device. 
But, assuming you've done everything right on your end, you do need to slap some sense into the sound men. There is no reason why they shouldn't be able to mix you. 

And considering the bad sounds (from physical amps) that they can mix into good sounding amps, there is simply no excuse why they can't fix it on their end. 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...