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I think I played close to a 100 gigs with sounguys, here every little
joint has a PA, and I used to be in bands with singers so...
also, there was a time when I was with my 40 watts 1x12 lil'amp,
competing against our hammond-leslie keyboarder and our friggin
stupid overspending on lend money bassist's ampeg SVT gazillion watts
8x10 prorffesional setup (the rest of the band litteraly burst out
laughing when he showed up with his 4000 euro fallic symbol, man, the
idea, we used to paly for 50 people max usually!) and I was glad they
had a pa.
anyway, nowadays, rather with then without - in most small venues,
accoustidc drums is loud enough and 4x6L6 fender amps can easily
accompany that. in my experience, usually pa does more bad then good
for the sound, both in the hall and on stage. letting the drummer
hear enough is just a matter of carefull set-up.
but, soundmen... of course, most of them are frustrated would be
metal shredders, that suffer hearing loss. I've been in all kinds of
fights with all kinds of soundpeople, sure enough. but, there are
also those who are very kind, listen carefully when you make
comments, and do their best to fulfil your demands, even if it means
changing the headliners drums setting. see PDM weblog. very friendly,
helpful, good soundman, who set up three sets of settings for three
bands, according to their gear and wishes, and enjoyed it too.
excellent sound, and he was suprised when we thanked him afterwards -
he usually just gets shit from bands.
And then there's the soundman here in TIlburg who brings his own two
vintage tape echos when a surfband is playing, because he doesn't
want to use the venues own digital processor for that sort of music.
okay, exceptions to the rule, but, some soundguys really try. and,
quite often they have to deal with a crappy PA system, not their
fault either.
wannes
