Electrostatic said:
Does any one in here know of any good websites that offer tips on setting up a band on stage so that all instruments can hear each other while playing. Im a keyboard player in a rock band on the problem that is happening is that between the guitar, bass, and drummer player i am not able to hear my self and so i have to crank up the volume.Another thing is that the guitar player claims that he can't hear him self either which is strange considering that his amplifyer speaker is facing him.
You don't give any details of your existing setup?, there are basically two main methods for a band.
1) Each member has his own amp and speaker (often combo's), and use a small PA just for vocals. In this simple setup everyone needs to balance their output to that of the drums, which are purely acoustic.
2) A main PA, each member still has their own amp and speaker (usually), but ONLY for on-stage monitoring - all instruments, including the drums, are miked or DI'd through the PA - this produces the main FOH (Front Of House) sound. Commonly the PA also feeds on-stage monitors, via a seperate mixer channel, to provide even better monitoring on stage. You would have a sound engineer working the mixer during the performance, to keep the best mix possible.
What it sounds like on stage doesn't matter, it's only FOH that matters, in option 1) you need someone out front who can tell you what it sounds like, and what needs turning up or down.
Generally the main problems is guitarists, they almost always play far too loud - I suggest getting a pair of pliers, and breaking one or two of
his fingers (it's ALWAYS male, female guitarists seem to have more sense!).
If it's any help?, my daughters band is three piece, Melissa on bass and vocals, Charlie on guitar (at a sensible level) and vocals, and Tom on drums. Melissa also plays keyboards sometimes, but not so far with this particular band.
For option 1) we use a Behringer BX1200 120W bass combo, a Fender 60W keyboard combo for guitar (I happen to have one), and acoustic drums. Vocals are through a Behringer 400+400W mixer/amp.
Generally though I would use more like option 2), same as above but with the two combos DI'd through the PA, and mikes on the drums - usually four, bass drum, snare drums, and two overheads (as I only have four spare channels).
If we use keyboards I plug that directly into the mixer (to a line input, not a mike channel), so there's no amp on the keyboard.
Due to the fact everything has to go in my small car, we don't have or use any seperate monitors - so Melissa on keyboards hears very little of what she's playing - luckily she's a fairly good keyboard player, and this isn't a problem.
What are you using?, I can perhaps suggest the best way to use what you've got?.
But basically PRACTICE - and you won't need to hear your keyboard so much, and get someone reliable out front to advise you on the sound levels - AND TURN THE GUITAR DOWN!.