SurfBandBill
Joined: Mar 15, 2006
Posts: 1487
San Francisco
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Posted on Mar 05 2007 03:14 AM
Hey folks,
I feel like I've been dwelling in the Shallow End a bit much these days, so I figured I'd try to pose a big question that has hit me this past week.
Does anyone else have problems assessing their reverb presence when you use earplugs?
What I mean is, say you're playing live or at practice, and you have everything set up just the way you like it, but to your properly-protected ears, things just don't have the drip.
After seeing Satan's Pilgrims and The Ghastly Ones, and forgetting my earplugs, I have been very hearing protection cautious in the last week or so. I've also had three shows in that span, and worn plugs for each of them. I notice that with the plugs in, I hear more of my clean/non-reverberated guitar tone, but when I take the plugs out, things sound pretty much booochy as I'm used to.
Anyone else have that problem??
~B~
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Mar 05 2007 08:26 AM
Bill, Scott Pilgrim drips more than anybody on the planet.
Also, I don't notice less drip. I also own custom plugs though which could be a difference.
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Redd_Tyde
Joined: Apr 23, 2006
Posts: 260
Oceanside, CA
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Posted on Mar 05 2007 12:11 PM
I pretty much have a set of Hear-os High Fidelity ear plugs with me at all music functions. They run about $15, but they will pay for themeselves after one really loud show or practice.
They won't cut out the reverb so much as they do the high end. They will also make a band that doesn't that great, sound better becuase they kill out a ton of noise.
Even though they make you look like Frankenstein with little plastic poles coming out your ears, I swear by these things and would not be without them.
-RT
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MikeG
Joined: Mar 29, 2006
Posts: 309
Springfield, Oregon
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Posted on Mar 05 2007 12:58 PM
I don't usually play loud enough to need earplugs.
Remember: when it comes to dynamics, there's no loud without soft. 
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PolloGuitar
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 5094
San Francisco
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Posted on Mar 05 2007 01:13 PM
SurfBandBill
Does anyone else have problems assessing their reverb presence when you use earplugs?
Bill,
I get my reverb adjusted during soundcheck, then just have confidence knowing that it is there, even if the earplugs dampen the effect on me.
SurfBandBill
After seeing Satan's Pilgrims and The Ghastly Ones, and forgetting my earplugs, I have been very hearing protection cautious in the last week or so.
I know you just said it, but I want to say it again- being "hearing cautious" after the fact is useless.
SurfBandBill
I've also had three shows in that span, and worn plugs for each of them. I notice that with the plugs in, I hear more of my clean/non-reverberated guitar tone, but when I take the plugs out, things sound pretty much booochy as I'm used to.
I always wear earplugs in both ears now. I used to just wear one earplug in my drummer side ear (cymbals=ouch!). I have permanent ringing in my ears. KIDS- DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU. IT'S NOT WORTH IT!!! It is really annoying and there absolutely no cure.
--Ferenc
PS- as a courtesy to the audience, we always have a box of earplugs for anybody who might need them at our shows.
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wooza
Joined: Apr 24, 2006
Posts: 1618
Ithaca, NY
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Posted on Mar 05 2007 01:41 PM
PolloGuitar
as a courtesy to the audience, we always have a box of earplugs for anybody who might need them at our shows.
Man am I glad for those. The first show I ever went to last year was when the Madeira and Slacktone joined Pollo at the Hotel Utah and I had no idea what I was in for. As overwhelmingly awesome as the Madeira's opening set was, I was a little worried thinking "I'm not sure my brain usually resonates inside my skull like that." Getting earplugs after that set was really a relief and, Bill, I would say that most people wouldn't mind a muffling of drip in exchange for protected ears. That sounds like the kind of scruple someone would have with their own sound. The fans shouldn't be quite as nitpicky.
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rkt88edmo
Joined: Mar 05, 2007
Posts: 2
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Posted on Mar 05 2007 03:35 PM
FYI - the HiFi Hearos plugs are also available from Etymotics (I think Hearos just rebrands plugs) for a good bit cheaper, I think they are great plugs.
I wear mine on my train commute and can still hold a conversation, but don't have to listen to all the train screech.
They are also great for new parents - for those times a baby is inconsolable, you can hold them without the ice-pick-in-your-ear feeling.
No more listening shows like the sound is coming through a wall or underwater - with the HiFi type plugs everything still sounds pretty good and you don't have to worry about expensive custom molds.
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RobbieReverb
Joined: Feb 28, 2006
Posts: 2346
San Jose, Ca.
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Posted on Mar 06 2007 01:08 AM
ReddTyde_
I pretty much have a set of Hear-os High Fidelity ear plugs with me at all music functions. They run about $15, but they will pay for themeselves after one really loud show or practice.
They won't cut out the reverb so much as they do the high end. They will also make a band that doesn't that great, sound better becuase they kill out a ton of noise.
Even though they make you look like Frankenstein with little plastic poles coming out your ears, I swear by these things and would not be without them.
-RT
I'm with Red Tyde on this.  I use the same plugs with good results.
Bob
— Bob
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SurfBandBill
Joined: Mar 15, 2006
Posts: 1487
San Francisco
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Posted on Mar 06 2007 01:36 AM
Ferenc,
I am generally very protective of my hearing (almost 17 years of guitaring, plus teaching beginning band, and the doctor still tells me I have "above average" hearing). Hell, I bought my first pair of earplugs when I was in the seventh grade (the first time I played with a drummer), so I usually have a good track record. I even keep a pair of cheap-o foam earplugs in my ashtray in my car for when I forget. Just somehow it all slipped my mind for the SP shows.
I usually do dial-in my 'verb ahead of time, but I've noticed a little more recently that I don't hear it as clearly as I used to, and find myself reaching for the "mix" knob during a set.
I have the nice shooting-grade earplugs with the little separate filter mechanism in the rubber casing. I do also want to tell all y'all out there -- whatever you do, protect your ears. We have some old codgers on here, who didn't grow up in an era of 1000 watt bass amps and cars with sub-woofers that register on the richter scale. They are lucky enough to still listen to surf these days, and if you hope to do the same, buy some nice plugs. You'll thank everyone in the long run.
~B~
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WR
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 3832
netherlands
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Posted on Mar 06 2007 03:33 AM
when I think a concert is too loud, I usually ask the soundguy to turn it down. if more people request so, sometimes he will. if he doesn't, I go stand in the back, or I leave.
when we play, I now always ask the guy not to turn it up too much. and have a friend in the audience check it. people notice, esp. when you play with more bands, the comment usually is, your sound was way better then the other band, man, the other band was way too loud. Other bonus is that the people who really dig you will come up to the front sooner, while at the same time people who are there for anotehr band or dont like it that much, can be in the back having a normal conversation (and stay, aot go to another bar/club). it seems to me that sound people (who are usually in the back or halfway) go for a "wow, heavy rock" volume where they are, making it way louder then that (i.e. too loud) right up front.
Our drummer doesn't play too loud though (thank god) and he uses 7A's, rather thin sticks, which makes a big difference. and we always used pretty large and well damped rehearsal spaces.
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krupanut
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 492
Austin Texas
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Posted on Mar 06 2007 08:32 AM
MikeG
I don't usually play loud enough to need earplugs.
Remember: when it comes to dynamics, there's no loud without soft.
AMEN!
— The Thunderchiefs
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krupanut
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 492
Austin Texas
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Posted on Mar 06 2007 08:46 AM
WR
when I think a concert is too loud, I usually ask the soundguy to turn it down. if more people request so, sometimes he will. if he doesn't, I go stand in the back, or I leave.
when we play, I now always ask the guy not to turn it up too much. and have a friend in the audience check it. people notice, esp. when you play with more bands, the comment usually is, your sound was way better then the other band, man, the other band was way too loud. Other bonus is that the people who really dig you will come up to the front sooner, while at the same time people who are there for anotehr band or dont like it that much, can be in the back having a normal conversation (and stay, aot go to another bar/club). it seems to me that sound people (who are usually in the back or halfway) go for a "wow, heavy rock" volume where they are, making it way louder then that (i.e. too loud) right up front.
Our drummer doesn't play too loud though (thank god) and he uses 7A's, rather thin sticks, which makes a big difference. and we always used pretty large and well damped rehearsal spaces.
It's really too bad how much you are at the mercy of the sound man these days.
I have a real problem with bands that are too loud.
Not loud, too loud.
(Y'all can ask the rest of the Thunderchiefs about what a bitch I can be about volume.)
Why would you need to mic a Showman and pump so much of it through the mains.
I think this problem is even worse with bands that sing.
One of my Favorite bands in Austin I think plays way too loud.
They write brilliant songs with great lyrics but you can never hear the singing cause their stage volume is so cranked.
Wannes, 7A's huh. Thatâs the mark of good drummer. 
Here's to heavy strings light sticks and sane volume.
— The Thunderchiefs
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Anonymous
Joined: Nov 10, 2000
Posts: -180
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Posted on Mar 06 2007 07:52 PM
 wear them earplugs boys---i didn't in the old days and my ears ring virtually all of the time. being diabetic, the ringing has affected my balance to a slight degree and i can really tell it when i get to go surfing! the plugs do cut the highs somwhat but i can't remember if they messed with the reverb or not--middle part of career-while back. as i get older my hearing gets worse, paying for my old bad habitssssssssssssssssss. wear those earplugs yall!!!!! peace
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tonybologna
Joined: Mar 06, 2006
Posts: 796
Oakland
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Posted on Mar 06 2007 08:00 PM
krupanut
Wannes, 7A's huh. Thatâs the mark of good drummer.
I use 7A's as well. 
I also play too loud....oh well. :|
— Science friction burns my fingers.
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Louie7
Joined: Jan 30, 2007
Posts: 448
50,000 Light-Years Beyond Planet Claire
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Posted on Mar 08 2007 01:05 PM
what a cheap-skate I am... I just wad up a little pieces of napkin and stick them in. I hate those plastic, goopy rubber things...yuk!
Once it comes OUT, it ain't goin' back in. Filthy stuff...yuk!
But yeah...... I love to filter out those cymbal sizzles and screachy PA artifacts.
I really hate 'sound' men..... I always have a LONG list of do's and (especially) DON'TS, for those P.A. dudes. I get right in their face.
They're a rude brood...an ugly race...a breed of humans that can't play an instrument.
I've never met a soundman yet who can properly balance a board.
Maybe ONE in a hundred is trained...and even THEY get it wrong.
L7
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WR
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 3832
netherlands
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Posted on Mar 08 2007 02:33 PM
tonybologna
krupanut
Wannes, 7A's huh. Thatâs the mark of good drummer.
I use 7A's as well.
I also play too loud....oh well. :|
ah, but how long do they last? 
— Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."
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