How Do You Set Your Monitors On Stage?

[Mahesh]

This is another aspect that is obviously very important for a good performance. Assuming you are a solo performer, how do you go about doing your soundcheck? Now, it definitely is much simpler and smaller as compared to doing a sound check with a band, I'm interested in knowing how you think about how you sound to yourself. How much reverb do you use for your vocal monitors? How do you prefer your guitar levels to be? DO you do any EQ on your vocals (or guitars) depending on the acoustics of the place on your monitors? Do you find yourself doing or noticing something repeatedly in all or most venues and stages?

 

Interested to know your thoughts on this.

[TapperMike]

Yes, you have to do eq for stage monitors in order to reduce feedback.

 

Mains usually have to be eq'd differently depending on the room you are working. Much of sound check work for the mains goes out the window when the audience arrives. Bodies filling chairs will have a different impact on the overall sound as an empty house.  That's why it's a good idea to bring a sound man (and not just someone good at lifting heavy objects...but that doesn't hurt either) if you can.

 

In regards to the mains.

First EQ the speakers before you try to set the levels..

Then setting your levels and individual instrument eq's will be easier to adjust.

 

The aux send goes out to the stage monitors and is set up differently with different mixing and eq then the mains.

Setting your monitor levels

Eq'ing your monitor levels for feedback

[Darrell Wallace]

I have switched totally to Carvin in-ear monitors and love them. Less equipment to haul, and my mixer lets each musician control their own individual monitor mix using an ipad or smartphone so "more me" is no longer a pain in the ass. My mixer is also controlled by an ipad and that eleminates the need for an audio snake, I just set the mixer stage-side and the soundman walks around the room with his ipad, setting all the mix.

[Rudi]

Only the brass section and the singer use actual monitors in Blown Out. They mind it themselves. Pete's (singer) active monitor is excellent and he keeps it pretty dry. He uses the same settings each time so far as I can tell.

 

The brass use an ancient foldback speaker that looks like a 1970's small TV that they prop up with an instrument case. Its crap, and it gets kicked over every other gig. Its better than nothing, but only just.

 

My amp is my (guitar) monitor. Its the same for the Keyboard fellow. We pretty much always go through the PA.

 

As BG vocalist, I have no monitor, and usually shout myself hoarse every gig. I would buy one, but am loath to lug around any more gear.

[TapperMike]

When we'd work hamtramck many a bar would have less then ideal floor plans.

Monitors were absolutes with us as was sending the line outs from the guitar amps into the PA.

 

We used to work these long narrow rooms where the stage would be set in the center of the room length wise.

[EJB]

I have switched totally to Carvin in-ear monitors and love them. Less equipment to haul, and my mixer lets each musician control their own individual monitor mix using an ipad or smartphone so "more me" is no longer a pain in the ass. My mixer is also controlled by an ipad and that eleminates the need for an audio snake, I just set the mixer stage-side and the soundman walks around the room with his ipad, setting all the mix.

The Only Way to Fly

[Stova007]

I tend to have my guitar a little higher in my monitor. For me, it helps me play my guitar more smoothly…which also helps my vocal cut through more clearly. If there is reverb at all, I'd rather it be pretty low in the monitor. As far as EQ, I think that all depends on the performer and their equipment. My main guitar tends to be heavy on the mid-range, so I usually cut the mids just a tad.

 

-I've never used the in-ear monitors, but I'm very interested in trying them out soon.