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Topic: Volume level upon entering a song |
Greg Vincent
From:
Folsom, CA USA
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Posted 13 Jul 2005 1:29 pm |
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Hi folks,
OK... question: When kicking off a song, or entering a song after a period of laying out, how do you guys know where to be in your volume pedal arc when you begin playing?
Sometimes when I kickoff a song, I come in INCREDIBLY LOUD, while other times when I come in, it's just this little pipsqueak whiny sound. What is your reference? Does your foot just "memorize" some sort of starting point position that is a kind of "average volume" point?
If it is indeed a muscular memory thing, am I screwing myself up by practicing barefoot and gigging in cowboy boots? Do I have to wear the same footwear all the time to perfect my volume pedal technique? (I'd look kinda funny at home practicing in my bathrobe & cowboy boots!)
-GV[This message was edited by Greg Vincent on 13 July 2005 at 02:30 PM.] |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 13 Jul 2005 1:40 pm
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well my view is this..
My primary volume is set up with the volume pedal at half or maybe a tad more..
Full down would be VERY loud..
I think it's more of just knowing where your Normal volume is and at what point on the volume pedal , and getting the knack/feel of that position...
Full down would be your INCREDIBLY LOUD position...
I have one of those too..I think we all do...
I think the bare feet thing comes in with Pedal Action rather than Volume pedal control..if you can do it more power to you..
I practice in very loose moccasins..I play in Rockports...
good luck..put cotton in your ears..
t |
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Ron Sodos
From:
San Antonio, Texas USA
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Posted 13 Jul 2005 1:55 pm
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I set my volume so almost all the way down is my lead volume and a little backed off is backup and fills. so if I kick off a song I can never be way too loud.
Also it takes getting used to holding your foot in a position that is before bottoming out......  [This message was edited by Ron Sodos on 13 July 2005 at 02:55 PM.] |
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Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
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Posted 13 Jul 2005 2:00 pm
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| Quote: |
| ...am I screwing myself up by practicing barefoot and gigging in cowboy boots? |
Yes and no, Greg, it will be different, maybe enough that you do feel "screwed up" - I certainly have had my share of volume pedal challenges at gigs because I simply refuse to wear my dress boots everytime I sit down at the guitar. I occasionally go to my Ernie Ball backup pedal at gigs when I have the bigger boots on. Mostly, though, it's a reflex thing, you listen and adjust constantly anyway, after a while it becomes more natural regardless of what footwear (or lack of same)you have on.
You are not alone....
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 13 Jul 2005 3:39 pm
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With enough practice, you won't have those problems. I would advise to practice with some sort of shoes or slippers on, though, as that'll make the transition from practice to a gig less dramatic.
One thing you'll notice about the pros, they don't move the volume pedal very much! They have the amp set high enough so that from "off" to playing volume is just a slight movement, usually less than half-pedal. The only time they go "full on" is when they really need some punch, or to sustain a note a long time, and that's not very often!
Also, your volume pedal should give you a smooth, even increase in volume, from off to full on. Amplified pedals turned up to much can be overly sensitive and cause problems in this area, as can passive pedals with the wrong pot installed. |
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Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
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Posted 14 Jul 2005 8:43 am
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| Quote: |
| What is your reference? Does your foot just "memorize" some sort of starting point position |
To solve this problem I put spring in my volume pedals. It provides a "feel stop" like what use use on knee levers. |
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Buddy Griffin
From:
Derwood, Maryland, USA
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Posted 14 Jul 2005 8:52 am
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| I think this depends of the type of song you are playing. I tend to play at the almost full on volume pedal position normally,leaving just enough volume on the pedal to solo, unless I need to use the pedal to swell and sustain notes,usually on slower country stuff. Then I will increase my input gain on my preamp and use the pedal at about half, to leave room for sustaining. I feel you get the best tone from your guitar when the input level to your preamp is almost the same as straight out of the guitar. |
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Greg Vincent
From:
Folsom, CA USA
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Posted 14 Jul 2005 11:00 am
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Great replies, folks!
So generally speaking, playing volume is at about 1/2 the pedal arc for most of y'all out there?
EB you'll have to show me that spring trick next time I see you play.
-GV |
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Wayne Franco
From:
silverdale, WA. USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2005 2:45 pm
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| I have been recording lately and was surprised when I tried recording something without a volume pedal just for fun. I was amazed at how even the tone was. Certainly would be a reason you could use less compression in the mix. However, I think just knowing that made me use the "expresion pedal" better. There are some old posts about using the expression pedal by Reece that are the best I've ever hear. It changed my life when he said he sets the volume pedal to about half where he can hear and be heard (in texas spelled "herd"). The rest of the pedal is for sustain. |
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Jim Ives
From:
Los Angeles, California, USA
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Posted 18 Jul 2005 1:01 pm
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Greg, from what I heard, you could come in loud and it would be okay.
Other than that consieration, I usually back off entirely at the end of a song, so the next one starts off with little/no volume. After all, how long does it take to volume-up? If the song starts off with a (loud) steel intro, I start off with the pedal half-way. I have my pedal set so backed down all the way only lets a trace of sound through.
How you been otherwise?
-Jim
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Mullen D-10 -or- Zum D-10
Lexicon MPX 100 -or- RV3
Fulltone Full-Drive II
Evans FET 500 -or-
Peavey Nashville 1000
Vox wah-wah pedal
My dog Toby sittin' on the floor listening
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Greg Vincent
From:
Folsom, CA USA
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Posted 18 Jul 2005 2:36 pm
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| Hi Jim --thanks for your post! I am well --just surfing the Forum trying to learn how to play this gizmo! -GV |
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Jim Ives
From:
Los Angeles, California, USA
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Posted 19 Jul 2005 10:01 am
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From what I've heard, you have already got a pretty good handle on it. But there is always room for more....
-Jim |
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David Wren
From:
Placerville, California, USA
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Posted 19 Jul 2005 3:11 pm
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Hey, the post about playing without a VP is really a great strategy for practicing. When you can get a really great, smooth sound without using the VP, then hook it up, and see how much better you can add sustain to your long flowing chords.... and the 1/2 pedal is great advice, don't let the sound guy hear you above that!
Anyway, my band said you kicked butt in Sacramento Greg, so just keep doing what you love.... the rest will come with additional body weight, grey hairs, and the inability to touch your toes (:>)>=[
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Dave Wren
'95Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; Session500; Hilton Pedal
www.ameechapman.com
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Greg Vincent
From:
Folsom, CA USA
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Posted 20 Jul 2005 7:34 am
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Thanks for the advice, Dave! Yeah that half-pedal rule seems to be what a lot of folks use --now I gotta make my foot "memorize" where that position is somehow. (Great tip about the sound guy!)
BTW, I was bummed I didn't get to meet you when we played with Amee up in Sacramento. I actually grew up in Shingle Springs right by your neck of the woods. My mom is still up there --maybe we can meet some time when I'm up in the Gold Country again. -GV [This message was edited by Greg Vincent on 20 July 2005 at 08:35 AM.] |
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David Wren
From:
Placerville, California, USA
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Posted 20 Jul 2005 11:43 am
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Hey, for sure Greg, drop me an email if you're coming to this area, and I'll let you know the next time Amee and us go to LA.
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Dave Wren
'95Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; Session500; Hilton Pedal
www.ameechapman.com
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