David's Tip of the Day: Setting up your Amp for the Stage - Part 6 (Balanced Mix)

At sound check play your normal ~40% of capable volume level.

When the sound engineer asks to hear you... play at that 40% volume. The sound engineer is looking for a "balanced" sound with the rest of the band... that's what they're trying to achieve. If you play at your "all-out" level at sound check, like you're kickin' butt in a solo, you've just guaranteed no one's going to hear you all night. Your loudest volume is balanced with the band (not good for a solo!) and at your accompaniment volume nobody will know you're there if they close their eyes.

We "assume" that the sound engineer will adjust us as we go, but that's not always the case and this up and down in the mix during a song drives most musicians crazy on the bandstand... YOU should control your level... play what feels appropriate on stage for you and the rest of musicians... YOUR goal is to have a balanced STAGE volume... the sound engineer's job is to translate this to the house, making sure that the whole house, from the front to the back, can hear you and the other musicians.

Also keep in mind that with most bands one of the musicians sets up the equipment (maybe that's you!) and once it's set, it stays that way for the rest of the night for the most part. This is a good thing, but you have to make sure your volumes are set well to begin with.

Setting up your Amp for the Stage
#1 - Setup your amp off the floor
#2 - Get away from your amp
#3 - Turn your mic to 10 if you have a volume control
#4 - Turn your amp up to feedback, then dial it down just below feedback
#5 - Play at ~40% of your capable volume as your "normal" volume
#6 - At sound check play play your normal ~40% of capable volume level