Well here we are again talking about the mix! I have been visiting a not so local church for the last month or so, and found something that I have always known to be true. That is all the right gear and money wont make you sound better!! In fact I'm sure I have stated this before it will in deed make you sound worse! If your mix is bad. If your mix is good and your team is good you will sound good or even great! So here we are with a sound system guessing close to 1 million dollars, and the issue is the sound tech does not know what a good mix should sound like!!! So here is a tip for those who may have the same question. The instruments they are there to accent the vocals, not to drowned them out! The electric guitar should not run over the vocals of the band. Same for any other instrument in the band. It is possible to mix live music and it sound like the CD. It really is, see we have been trying for years to make cd's sound like a live performance (just think about the affects you add to the mix) and make live performance's sound like the cd! The electric guitar in a worship setting is very difficult to deal with as the play of said guitar wants to be over the top that is why the play that specific instrument! and this is why they are always wanting to be louder than they should be. Resist the pressure to mix them as the lead. Each and every song out there has a lead instrument that the song writer had in mind when writing.
The first and best piece of advice in training your ear in how live music should sound, is not going to live concerts. In fact most of the are the worst! I have no idea were they pick these guys up from? but they should stop... Listen (reference) live cd's this is what you want to try and accomplish. Now I as well as everyone else understands that the engineer took that multi-track recording back to the studio and made it perfect. You don't believe that go to a Hillsong united concert then listen to one of their cd's, they are one of my most favorite bands but pick the worst sound engineers in the world really a bose' system without a sound engineer would be better! The truth is that all the same effects gear etc that was used in the studio is available for use in the live setting as well. Now I also understand that there are budget issues no matter were you go. That is not the issue of this article. The point is learn what a live mix should sound like and give it your all.
So what are some basics of what it should sound like, so this is not so tough, linking back to an earlier statement the instruments are there to add to vocals not drown them out. There is the first place to start. Usually the guy/girl playing the electric guitar is playing it for a reason and that is they like the attention. Don't give in there are some songs were it does truly lead, but only a little bit more volume is required.
Drums: drums can be very difficult depending on how well you can isolate them and how big the room is. The bigger the room the easier they are to deal with. Note: the room needs to be REALLY big to not have a sound booth around them, I mean really big! If you can seat 2,00 people comfortably at once then you are okay not to shield the drums, otherwise get a good drum shield and mics.
The drums need to provide the realism of the performance, the kick drum & toms are going to make the drums. The cymbals don't carry as far as you might think when you listen up close, so pay attention when mixed correctly really add a nice touch. Make sure they are eq'd well as they can be very harsh, make them clean and smooth.
Acoustic guitar pretty easy usually typically the lead and should be on top just a bit again not to much. The difficulty is every guitar is different even from the same manufacture. So again clean and smooth. I will write another article about how to mic an acoustic guitar.(it's not just sticking a mic in front of it!)
Vocals the lead should lead, back up sing back up! Worship leaders please start leading! The arrangement was not written with 12 people singing the same thing word for word, not even choirs do that! it sounds horrible!
Remember blend, clear, smooth!!!!!
Till next time
God Bless
The first and best piece of advice in training your ear in how live music should sound, is not going to live concerts. In fact most of the are the worst! I have no idea were they pick these guys up from? but they should stop... Listen (reference) live cd's this is what you want to try and accomplish. Now I as well as everyone else understands that the engineer took that multi-track recording back to the studio and made it perfect. You don't believe that go to a Hillsong united concert then listen to one of their cd's, they are one of my most favorite bands but pick the worst sound engineers in the world really a bose' system without a sound engineer would be better! The truth is that all the same effects gear etc that was used in the studio is available for use in the live setting as well. Now I also understand that there are budget issues no matter were you go. That is not the issue of this article. The point is learn what a live mix should sound like and give it your all.
So what are some basics of what it should sound like, so this is not so tough, linking back to an earlier statement the instruments are there to add to vocals not drown them out. There is the first place to start. Usually the guy/girl playing the electric guitar is playing it for a reason and that is they like the attention. Don't give in there are some songs were it does truly lead, but only a little bit more volume is required.
Drums: drums can be very difficult depending on how well you can isolate them and how big the room is. The bigger the room the easier they are to deal with. Note: the room needs to be REALLY big to not have a sound booth around them, I mean really big! If you can seat 2,00 people comfortably at once then you are okay not to shield the drums, otherwise get a good drum shield and mics.
The drums need to provide the realism of the performance, the kick drum & toms are going to make the drums. The cymbals don't carry as far as you might think when you listen up close, so pay attention when mixed correctly really add a nice touch. Make sure they are eq'd well as they can be very harsh, make them clean and smooth.
Acoustic guitar pretty easy usually typically the lead and should be on top just a bit again not to much. The difficulty is every guitar is different even from the same manufacture. So again clean and smooth. I will write another article about how to mic an acoustic guitar.(it's not just sticking a mic in front of it!)
Vocals the lead should lead, back up sing back up! Worship leaders please start leading! The arrangement was not written with 12 people singing the same thing word for word, not even choirs do that! it sounds horrible!
Remember blend, clear, smooth!!!!!
Till next time
God Bless
