Live eq/stage setup?

[IRM]

Hey, my band consists of 2 guitarists, a bassist, and a drummer. We're totally instrumental, and our mix just doesn't sound too good. Since i'm sure you guys have a massive amount of collective experience playing live, what are you're guys thoughts on amp placement, eq, etc so that the guitars cut through and everything sounds...umm...good?

Thanks.

BTW, we don't have any mics, mixers, etc.

[diablomozart]

Re: Live eq/stage setup?

a good soundman for live... [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] ...make sure one guitar rig is on each side of the drummer...after that it's up to your ears to decide...d.m.

[Black Mariah]

Re: Live eq/stage setup?

No matter how much midrange you use, bump it up a bit live. The guitars will cut much better. Keep the tone of the two guitars somewhat different unless you do a lot of harmony parts. All you can do after that is hope the soundguy doesn't suck.

[Cleveland Metal]

Re: Live eq/stage setup?

Yeah, what he said... Midrange etc...

[Ninja Guitar]

Re: Live eq/stage setup?

Unless the soundguy knows what he's doing and gives a fuck, there's only so much you can do.

It's definitely better to use a bit more midrange live, or even when practicing with a band. The scooped mid metal sound we all know and love sounds fantastic when the guitar is played by itself. However, with other instruments, you gotta play with the frequencies more so the other instruments can work with you.

[THETRIUMPHOFSTEEL]

Re: Live eq/stage setup?

What these guys are saying is dead-on. Midrange is the best way of getting your guitars to cut through the mix, as the bass and drums generally hog all the low and high end frequencies. Its all about filling the holes man!!
Also, and I know everyones gonna hate me for these, there is another big secret to a good live mix. TURN THE FUCK DOWN!! It doesnt matter how good or bad your sound guy is, if you're playing to a handful of people and a lot of empty space with your 300w stacks on ten, you're gonna sound shit. Sorry but its the truth. The sound guy is only there to "reinforce" your own sound, most of the mixing should be done by yourselves on stage with your own gear.
Anyone else??

[horns666]

Re: Live eq/stage setup?

I immediately noticed in a two guitar player band ...your sound in the band is not what you would dial up at home at all!!!...Nope [img]graemlins/refuse.gif[/img] ...it's the battle of the Midrange to make it blend and sound right in the mix ...together.

Otherwise you'll be taking the bass players place in the frenquency realm..I notice a lot of guitarist push there bottom end all the way up almost into flub territory..

It's alot easier get the tone closer to what's in your (My) head in a single guitarist band ...that's for sure.

[Black Mariah]

Re: Live eq/stage setup?

Originally posted by horns666:
I notice a lot of guitarist push there bottom end all the way up almost into flub territory..

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yes, and that SUCKS. They're trying to get that super brutal low end sound, but what they don't realize is that IT'S NOT THE GUITAR MAKING THAT SOUND. Go back and listen to some Carcass (Heartwork has possibly the most brutal tone ever). There's not really that much bass in the guitar. The drums and bass under it are what give the tone such a heavy sound.

Also, you can't expect to get a recorded, mixed, and mastered tone from your amp. In most cases, live, if you're going over about 6 on the bass knob, you need to back it off.

[Ninja Guitar]

Re: Live eq/stage setup?

Carcass was the fuckin fuckin shit! [img]graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

That is what a brutal band should sound like. Suffocation's another good one. You can often hear their bass player in the mix quite well.