Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

truelovewaits wrote:Hello All!

I'm the lead singer of a band, and the band often plays really loud. Even in practice, I can't clearly hear my vocals half the time. I feel like having to "eat the mic" every time I see is killing my vocals. I have brought this up to them, but it doesn't seem to go over well. Or one or two will turn down, but then it's back to full blast again. We've had gigs in the past where the feedback has been that the vocals didn't stand out over the music.

I don't want to seem like a jerk to the band, but it's getting more and more frustrating, as they seem to understand one minute, then they're off playing at top volume the next. Has anyone experienced this before or have any advice?

welcome to rock and roll!


Get some earplugs first...then maybe in ear monitors...then shoot the guitar player and beat the drummer up.

What kind of music are you playing? Are you miking any of the amps or drums into the PA? No need for hauling big-ass amps around these days, bring little ones, mike to the PA, then the soundman can adjust the volumes correctly.

Don't sing.

When a guitar drowns out my bass or the band drowns out my guitar I just stand there until somebody wakes up.

Vocal is the most important part of the band. You - as in you pal, will suck if you can't hear yourself.

Bring them to heel. I suggest a whip, a chair and a revolver. Or just stand there doing nothing until they grow up.

Talbot

Whoever it is that is drowning you out needs a monitor in front of him.
He turns himself up because he can't hear himself. Then no one can hear themselves.
With a monitor he gets louder to himself, but not to the volume as a whole..

Great point R-man.

Talbot

RhythmMan-2 wrote:Whoever it is that is drowning you out needs a monitor in front of him.
He turns himself up because he can't hear himself. Then no one can hear themselves.
With a monitor he gets louder to himself, but not to the volume as a whole..

I've seen/heard this happen with people who have their amps on the floor - (not 4x12 stacks, but 1-12 or 212 cabs) - the sound is blasting out below their knees so they turn it up to hear it better. Get an amp stand - or build one, or use a frickin' chair to get the sound up towards your ears!
Of course there are also drummers who have no 'volume control'.

"Yeah, can we have everything louder than everything else?" - Deep Purple

One other thing: have you tried punching him in the face?
That sometimes works.

Rhythmman-2 has it right. If he can hear himself, he won't need to turn up. If you can't get a monitor for him, at least get his amp up off the ground using a milk carton, a chair, a bench, anything to get it up to where he can hear himself more easily. His ears are not below his knees.

You know, it's fine for the lead guitar to be louder than everyone else when he's playing a dedicated lead as opposed to fills, but everyone and I mean EVERYONE (drummers included) needs to play more softly during the vocals. It's called "dynamics" and if you don't use them you will never get beyond "garage band" status. The vocals HAVE to be heard!