[Dixielandjazz] Adjusting Sound

[Lowell Busching]

Now if I could only learn to snap my fingers and make a sound. My father 
could do that and whistle loud too. I never could do either.. Personally 
I just make sure one at a time that the levels are about equal for each 
mike with  a couple words and then wait until the first group plays 
their first number.

As someone said, in OKOM most bands play first a number introducing each 
player and before and after with the whole group. I get my balance then 
and then leave it up to them. The musicians seem to like that method or 
do not complain.

Then again it may be the lack of communication thing again?  Who knows.
If you tweak on every number the musicians either get annoyed or never 
learn to use the mikes and mix themselves. As long as everyone hears 
everyone else, they seem happy.  If they don't, they should say so, 
during the performance.  The mikes work for speech also.

Oh yes. Contrary to popular belief, mostly by musicians, I have not 
noticed a lot of difference, if any, in the mix if I do it from a set up 
beside the stage, usually stage right near the piano, or from some point 
out front center!

I DO go out once or twice to confirm this. I seldom if ever find any 
reason to change the mix again. Personal preference.  Of course I am 
talking with no monitors or the monitors off for the setup.  Monitors 
just confuse things for the sound people. No one seems to be completely 
satisfied with the monitor mix. Usually a compromise.

Use monitors only if you can not hear each other. Try one number without 
monitors first. My opinion.

Mad Dog