Live sound - unmiked amps, vocal-only pa

[Alan W. Black]

I have a one-time gig coming up - 3 guitars, bass, drums, 3 keyboards thru amps. We'll have 3 or 4 vocal mics, and that'll be it for the PA. One vocal-only monitor. No soundman.The drums and amps should be able to fill the room sufficiently, and the vocals-only PA has always sounded good enough.
I've done this setup many times, but very rarely with such a large number of performers and amps. The material is mostly mellow. (Something else I'm not used to) I'm hoping to get some experienced input on this that I might not have tried before. My assumptions, which can be re examined, are - the amps will be behind us as much as the stage allows. This will help everyone hear everyone else to some degree, and maybe help everyone balance themselves in the mix. The amps, having to fill the room, will be loud, and everyone will need earplugs. One idea I had is to get a friend with good ears to "mix" for us, by very discreet gestures to turn down, turn up. I'm also thinking we should elevate all amps as much as possible or at least angle them upwards. Anyone have a successful formula for vocals-only pa systems?

[Jack Harper]

this will come down to personalities.
if the drummer is great, he should be the bandleader for the night.
i would let him lead the rest, into not over playing him.
if the bass player is great then he and the drummer will make the difference.
if nobody overdrives the drums and bass then the singers can be heard and hear themselves and sell the show.
then you maya be surprised and be invited back.
if all the personalities can get along, it should be a success.
that's just my take....

country jack...

[Bill Moran]

I'm sorry.

[Bob Hoffnar]

Balance to the quietest instrument on stage. If you can't hear somebody turn down until you can. If everybody does that then night will be easy and sound great.

[Justin Griffith]

If everyone is professional about it, it will be fine. It just takes one deaf guy, a cymbal happy drummer, or big ego to kill the whole thing though.

It's done that way here in Texas a lot. Seriously though, take a big amp in case you need it.

[Bob Hoffnar]

....

It's done that way here in Texas a lot. Seriously though, take a big amp in case you need it.

You got that right !

[Stephen Cowell]

With only one vocal monitor there will be problems... best to limit the number of mics onstage... time to share or double-up.

Depending on the situation the mains can be dropped back to the backline so that everyone can hear them... keep them out of the main pattern of your mic (side-fill style perhaps). Obviously works better if they're on stands. Nobody's amp should be facing straight out (except the bass, or small amps)... angled up and 'picker circle' style would work best IMO. A lot will depend on the room... rooms with the band firing along the short dimension are much worse than the correct situation (band on the short side, firing long). Listen to audience feedback, obviously.

[Paul Wade]

With only one vocal monitor there will be problems... best to limit the number of mics onstage... time to share or double-up.

Depending on the situation the mains can be dropped back to the backline so that everyone can hear them... keep them out of the main pattern of your mic (side-fill style perhaps). Obviously works better if they're on stands. Nobody's amp should be facing straight out (except the bass, or small amps)... angled up and 'picker circle' style would work best IMO. A lot will depend on the room... rooms with the band firing along the short dimension are much worse than the correct situation (band on the short side, firing long). Listen to audience feedback, obviously.

yep what Stephen said
p.w

[Craig A Davidson]

One other way might be to side fill your amps in other words on the side of the stage facing in. They would still be audible but not shooting into the vocal mikes.

[Jon Light]

Listen to audience feedback, obviously.

I was going to say that a friendly bartender or waitperson can be a blessing. Someone who you can say, before the set, 'please--can you give me a holler if anything sounds badly out of whack?'
I'm happy to be that person if I'm listening to a friend's gig ('a little more steel, dude--can't hardly hear you').