FW: [Dixielandjazz] Parade Report

[Jim Kashishian]

Pam wrote:
If we positioned the monitors/speakers where we could hear, it would create
feedback.  

Simple, Pam.  Unless you are using unusually high levels on your speakers,
just make sure there is not a direct line from speaker to mike.  Best
arrangement is to have the speakers a bit higher (elevation, not level!)
than the mikes.  Angle the mike a bit so it is not staring directly into the
speaker.

I much prefer having two speakers behind the band than to have house
speakers and a separate feed to monitors.  That way the band hears what the
audience hears, and you know what they are getting.  When there are feeds to
monitors, the balance, color, level can be completely different to what the
audience is hearing.

That method freaks out the everyday audio guy, though, and many of them
charge for all the monitors, the extra monitor mixer, the guy to run it, so
you can create enemies (that you are likely to run into again in the
future!) if you insist on a simple rig.  I know that has nothing to do with
your flatbed setup, but I just started rambling.

Next time, when in a small setup, pop the speakers up a bit high on a stand
(shoulder or head height), on each side of the band, angled in slightly, so
you can hear yourselves.  I usually put one alongside the drummer & the
other a bit in front of the piano (if he is hearing his keyboard from his
own amp, as is usual).  The front mikes are aimed straight back to the wall,
so are not even closely aimed at the widely set speakers....no feedback!

If your keyboard, bass or guitar are using their own amps, you don't need
them in the big speakers.  You can get a blend between the frontline & the
rhythm quite easily by standing out in front, and asking the rhythm guys to
raise or lower their levels until it balances with the frontline in the
speakers.

In a setup like that, we can do a soundcheck playing one half of one chorus
of one song!  

Cheers, Jim