Getting a big sound without a ton of volume?

[Radiohead625]

Is this possible? I've been playing with a drummer and we want to start playing out. We are pretty loud at practice and we are playing mostly originals in the vein of Queens of the Stone Age and the White Stripes. We are doing some covers of these bands as well. The only problem is we are going to start at small bars and they're not too keen on loud ass bands. Anyone doing something similar or know of a solution to this predicament?

[MEC]

Stereo amp set up?

Probably some good advice here too: http://ilovefuzz.com/viewtopic.php?f=149&t=37167

[Chankgeez]

Smaller amp?

[ryan summit]

im in that boat right now
and ive been told more speakers
stereo setup and as many speakers you can
get that stuff pumpin from all sides

[chillerthanmost]

Are you guys just a two piece band or full line up of instruments?
You can definitely do more speakers. Another thing is using open back cabs, placed in the right spot they can definitely help fill the room up. And placement, in general, of your amps can help fill the room without using too much volume. You can do lower watt amps and crank them, which give a "full" sound at whatever volume they're pushing. Say, for instance, a Vox AC30 or similar. Better yet, cranking TWO lower watt amps on each side of the drums. If you're not using a bassist you can also add an octave pedal to one rig for perceived low notes filling the room. But the best advice I can give is to just play how you normally play at practice, if someone tells you to turn down say okay and just leave it. If they keep telling you then say it doesn't go any lower because it's broken, if they get angry or don't let you play then go find a new place to play at. It sucks, but sometimes the overall feel and volume really makes the band. I know I wouldn't be able to get into a live show with my band if we had to play quieter than we do at practice. But to each their own, definitely just a suggestion.

[SquareWaveFuzz]

im in that boat right now
and ive been told more speakers
stereo setup and as many speakers you can
get that stuff pumpin from all sides

^This, it helps to have different sized speakers as well, 15's, 12's and 10's ideally

[DarkAxel]

Are you guys just a two piece band or full line up of instruments?
You can definitely do more speakers. Another thing is using open back cabs, placed in the right spot they can definitely help fill the room up. And placement, in general, of your amps can help fill the room without using too much volume. You can do lower watt amps and crank them, which give a "full" sound at whatever volume they're pushing. Say, for instance, a Vox AC30 or similar. Better yet, cranking TWO lower watt amps on each side of the drums. If you're not using a bassist you can also add an octave pedal to one rig for perceived low notes filling the room. But the best advice I can give is to just play how you normally play at practice, if someone tells you to turn down say okay and just leave it. If they keep telling you then say it doesn't go any lower because it's broken, if they get angry or don't let you play then go find a new place to play at. It sucks, but sometimes the overall feel and volume really makes the band. I know I wouldn't be able to get into a live show with my band if we had to play quieter than we do at practice. But to each their own, definitely just a suggestion.

True words here

although i'd not call AC30 a lower watt amp that amps is LOUD

[Radiohead625]

Are you guys just a two piece band or full line up of instruments?
You can definitely do more speakers. Another thing is using open back cabs, placed in the right spot they can definitely help fill the room up. And placement, in general, of your amps can help fill the room without using too much volume. You can do lower watt amps and crank them, which give a "full" sound at whatever volume they're pushing. Say, for instance, a Vox AC30 or similar. Better yet, cranking TWO lower watt amps on each side of the drums. If you're not using a bassist you can also add an octave pedal to one rig for perceived low notes filling the room. But the best advice I can give is to just play how you normally play at practice, if someone tells you to turn down say okay and just leave it. If they keep telling you then say it doesn't go any lower because it's broken, if they get angry or don't let you play then go find a new place to play at. It sucks, but sometimes the overall feel and volume really makes the band. I know I wouldn't be able to get into a live show with my band if we had to play quieter than we do at practice. But to each their own, definitely just a suggestion.

Some really good advice here, especially the end! Fuck'em is exactly how I felt, but my fear is not getting out there enough if we start out like that.

About the extra amps and speaker cabs. Won't that just end up creating more volume? Oh, and thanks for the thread with the duo questions. We are a duo currently and that will go a long way!

[Jero]

About the extra amps and speaker cabs. Won't that just end up creating more volume? Oh, and thanks for the thread with the duo questions. We are a duo currently and that will go a long way!

One amp filling a room with sounds will require much more volume than several.

[AxAxSxS]

Some really good advice here, especially the end! Fuck'em is exactly how I felt, but my fear is not getting out there enough if we start out like that.

About the extra amps and speaker cabs. Won't that just end up creating more volume? Oh, and thanks for the thread with the duo questions. We are a duo currently and that will go a long way!

extra amps and cabs will create the impression of a fuller sound without needing to up the decibel level. Even an extension cab with a long enough speaker cable to place it on the far side of the stage can really help. We are a three piece and the bassist and I both use multiple amps and it really fills up the room with sound, even when we are not cranking them.