New Tricks
Platinum Member
I don't get out to often but I went out last night to catch a set in a typical dive bar close by.
And once again, the drummer was playing WAY WAY too loud.
In my view. the vocals are #1 in pretty much every song. They are at least 50% of the song. The instrumentation behind the vocals is the other 50%
In a 3 instrument band, the instruments are mixed equally and will change a bit according to the song.
Typical of what I experience, this drummer was DOMINATING the mix. The guitar and bass would have had to turn up a full 100% to make the mix proper and then the vocal mics would not have been able to keep up without feedback.
The guitar/bass/vocal mix was great. Loud enough for rock and roll but it didn't stress your ear drums.The drums however were playing at 2 to 3 times too loud, 95% of the time. The 5% that was close to the right level told me that he could tone it down by simply using a lighter touch.
Something new I noticed that is probably also typical. His fills were ALWAYS much louder. Even if he managed to get close to the right volume, he would ALWAYS beat the hell out of the fills.
ALso typically, he played way to much fill. This would be fine, especially in a lot of 3 piece R&R, if the volume issues didn't make them stand out like a festering boil on your forehead.
He was a competent drummer but hasn't learned how to play within the mix. His only options are to turn everything else up 100% or for him to ease up.
So much for the rant. Now for the question. Do I tell him/them? Their bass player is a friend of a friend. Do I try and help them out or just let it go? I like to help and I like to fix things but I can certainly mind my own business.
And once again, the drummer was playing WAY WAY too loud.
In my view. the vocals are #1 in pretty much every song. They are at least 50% of the song. The instrumentation behind the vocals is the other 50%
In a 3 instrument band, the instruments are mixed equally and will change a bit according to the song.
Typical of what I experience, this drummer was DOMINATING the mix. The guitar and bass would have had to turn up a full 100% to make the mix proper and then the vocal mics would not have been able to keep up without feedback.
The guitar/bass/vocal mix was great. Loud enough for rock and roll but it didn't stress your ear drums.The drums however were playing at 2 to 3 times too loud, 95% of the time. The 5% that was close to the right level told me that he could tone it down by simply using a lighter touch.
Something new I noticed that is probably also typical. His fills were ALWAYS much louder. Even if he managed to get close to the right volume, he would ALWAYS beat the hell out of the fills.
ALso typically, he played way to much fill. This would be fine, especially in a lot of 3 piece R&R, if the volume issues didn't make them stand out like a festering boil on your forehead.
He was a competent drummer but hasn't learned how to play within the mix. His only options are to turn everything else up 100% or for him to ease up.
So much for the rant. Now for the question. Do I tell him/them? Their bass player is a friend of a friend. Do I try and help them out or just let it go? I like to help and I like to fix things but I can certainly mind my own business.