Getting the best sound from your bass through PA

[88persuader]

My experience is similar to many in this thread. There's a saying ... a sound man can make or break a band. I think if your sound equipment is a high enough quality, is full range (IE includes subs)and has enough power for head room your sound man has the ability to make you sound however HE thinks you should sound. That is of course as long as your send to the sound board is clean. I've worked with MANY sound men who had cement ears and big egos. I'd ask them for a certain sound and they'd give me the You do your job and I'll do mine attitude. Luckily I keep the option of running wireless so I can go out in the crowd and see what it sounds like however if your sound system isn't up to the job or your sound man sees SOUND differently then you then you're out of luck. It's really one of the BIG drawbacks from using a big system with a sound man. Such is life! Personally I try to get the best sound I can FOR ME and make sure the sound man has heard it. Then ask him to TRY to make it sound out front like it does on stage. Just for the record I'm playing through an Ampeg SVT PRO 5 with either 4 or 8 10's depending on the size of the room. And my main bass is a Stanley Clark Standard and I also have an 88 Persuader and a 95 five string Epic.
 
Ray

[wideload]

I can't be the only weirdo that has this problem. I use fingers for most of my playing, but use a pick for maybe 20%- some things just need that percussive, muted drive. I use a multi-channel amp (Peavey Bam 210) so I can get the tone I want from each. The settings for the finger channel are usually too loud and trebly with a pick. My question: I understand running a DI straight off my bass, or at least pre-eq is cleanest for the sound crew. But unless they are uncharacteristically astute, they will pay little attention to the bass signal change from song to song. If I send a post-eq signal, and that is balanced at sound check, then I would know my needs are being provided for (by me) and there should be no need for FOH adjusting during the performance, because my blend and taste are impeccable  Any thoughts? Thanks, guys!
 
Larry

[811952]

Larry,
I try to use the direct out of my bass pod if at all possible, or throw a mic or two on my cabinets.  One issue with doing that, though, is that eq changes on your amp will likely have unintended consequences out front.  The changes will either be too subtle (unlikely) or too much (very likely).  Ultimately, you need to have a sound guy with ears you can trust or it really is nothing better than a crap shoot.  Aren't I a ray of sunshine today....
John

[dannobasso]

As someone who does sound for weddings every weekend, most of us (myself being top of the list) play too damn loud to be mixed properly. So far the various bassists give me a XLR from a Sans Amp, 1/4 Walter Woods, or XLR from their Edens or whatever they are using. I try to leave the board EQ pretty flat and try to get a good tone to mix with. (so far no one has showed up with an Alembic besides me). Any Alembic sounds better than what I have been given so far. As John says, trust is a key ingredient. Some guys have been mixing for years and have their tricks to avoid problems. They may just drop out frequencies because they cause problems in the venue. Try not to take it personally. It does help to bulid a relationship with the poor guy who is always subjected to demands and abuse from all the stars no one ever heard of. Ask him what he needs from you and make your suggestions. I would suggest that you get a good stage sound for yourself and forget about the house. Your killer rig is usually just your stage monitor! I know that when I'm happy I can play without distraction. I hate turning down but I will if I'm asked to. I ask if he wants my F1X DI. Then I let him tell me what he's used to. Then I come back and play like it's my last gig!
Danno