too loud?

[dawgfish]

The other nite, after our set, I sat in the audience and listened to the following band and noticed something...I was tired as hell, as I was really pounding on my set, and the next guy barely played and I could hear him fine. The only mics either of us used was the kick drum. Granted, ours is alittle louder than their sound and our singer insists on turning his guitar up too loud (another issue entirely)...I guess my question is: How do I know if I'm playing too loud? I try to compensate when I don't mic my kit, and I fear I'm being obnoxious. I can't really hear as we're not going thru monitors....I don't want to be the reason that they're all turning up too loud...Any ideas?

[rumblebelly]

Ask someone in the crowd how the mix is and go from there

[Nagi]

Have another drummer play your set at sound check and you listen from different places in the club while it's going on.

[dawgfish]

Thanks...I asked a friend (non musician) and he said he thought the drums were supposed to be a little louder than everything else...I'll try the idea of having someone else bang for sound check. Good idea. Thanks!

[Scheming Demon]

Typically when you can't hear yourself or the other instruments or stage volume is too loud you automatically compensate by hitting harder.

If you don't, you end up not hearing yourself & then you wonder whether or not you're playing as you should.

The best way to play is to have a good stage mix volume. Even better is to have monitors with your drums going through them. When you hear yourself fine without pounding you automatically relax because it is not a strain to hear what you're doing.

Of course most of us don't have that luxury. Just get the best stage mix you can, not too loud. That's why you have a PA system to amplify. If you're stage volume is too loud you overpower the PA (unless you're playing a stadium) and don't sound as good as a band.

[john clarity]

i was always told drums were always best behind(volume -wise) the other instruments-at the end of the day they're the ones carrying the tune,not you.you can play whatever you want,once you don't lose time or put everyone else off.

[Dave Schenck]

I think the best thing would be for a friend to record your band from the audience with a mini-disc recorder. It may take a few tries to get a recording without distortion ( caused by an overloaded microphone) but I think you'll get a more accurate idea of how your playing comes across if YOUR playing. In my opinion the body doesn't lie so if you feel you are overplaying (physically) then you probably are.

[wildplum]

het ahold of an EXPERIENCED sound guy (SPECIAL NOTE: not some neophyte club guy working for $50-100- someone who knows what he's doing). have him listen to part of your set. he'll be able to tell you a lot more than just whether you are too loud.

the problem with a friend in the audience is there may or may not know what to listen for and they are unlikely to be objective. the problem with someone else playing during sound check is that they may or maybe play exactly like you and its sound check- things change when the crowd arrives.

[dawgfish]

I really appreciate your input...Bottom line? I feel like I'm playing too hard. I'm going to try to use alittle more discretion and finesse, rather than muscle. Our guitar/singer has an aversion to turning up louder AFTER sound check. I'm going to "ask" him to watch his levels in the interest of a cleaner, smoother sound....Thanks guys!