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I learned more about my guitar signal and what it sounded like downrange when I bought a cheap wireless rig just to have one a decade or so ago. Being able to actually hear as an audience member taught me how to tell the sound guy what to change (or to EQ my own shit so my desired result h

I was never one for stupid audience tricks, and had the stage presence of Robert Fripp at best unless I was expected to be the frontman that night because somebody was sick, but it came in very very handy.

Occasionally it came in handy when recording too - a little bit of pleasant compression or sputtery evil if the battery was dying could be coaxed and I kept around a couple near-dead batteries for that and stupid ebow tricks too.

Also, is it possible your speaker(s) have broken in a bit more?

monkeydancer wrote:Yeah, mids are also very important, I didn't mean an all treble no mids/bass sound, just that turning up the treble a bit from what sounds good alone is generally a good idea live.

From what you've mentioned, we seem to be of a similar mindset. I remember watching an interview with Mike Watt, where he was describing the soundscape that was the signature for the Minutemen... That being the idea that the bass and guitar were at opposite ends of the spectrum. That differentiation being especially helpful in larger venues, or in clubs with shitty, non-existent PAs. It definitely holds true in a three-piece scenario!

rfurtkamp wrote:I learned more about my guitar signal and what it sounded like downrange when I bought a cheap wireless rig just to have one a decade or so ago. Being able to actually hear as an audience member taught me how to tell the sound guy what to change (or to EQ my own shit so my desired result h

I was never one for stupid audience tricks, and had the stage presence of Robert Fripp at best unless I was expected to be the frontman that night because somebody was sick, but it came in very very handy.

Occasionally it came in handy when recording too - a little bit of pleasant compression or sputtery evil if the battery was dying could be coaxed and I kept around a couple near-dead batteries for that and stupid ebow tricks too.

Also, is it possible your speaker(s) have broken in a bit more?

it's definitely not in the speaker, i've had it for more than 2 years now and i've played a lot of shows with it

as i said... might be the new power tubes, different brand...

and also i might have just realized that i can be brighter

btw mids have always been high with me, so no problem there i'm just trying more of that IN YOUR FACE spank

I know what you mean - I'd love to be able to get that Jesus Lizard spank and crunch but without making ears bleed. It's a fine line.

it always depends on what room you're playing in really...
big room with concrete floors, a hollow stage and not many people will sound drastically different from a small, packed bar with wood floors/walls which will sound different from playing on the floor of a decent sized gallery space with big windows.

remember that if you're slightly bright, more people in the room with diffuse those high frequencies vs reflective materials that will reflect them and make them seem harsher. in general i think highs are good but "presence" knobs and bright channels can be iffy, especially when at higher volumes. of course it also depends on your pedals/guitar, etc so take it all with a grain of salt.

communicate with your soundperson as well! ask them their name and when checking, simply ask if the highs are ice-picky or too harsh? ask whether or not things get mellowed out when folks fill out the space, etc. communication is key for good sound.