Buddster

I hope your next gig goes well. It's a tough situation you have, and there's not always an easy resolve it.

Yes, you're right, try to be more direct. Plus you need the support of your other band members as well when you bring up the subject. Have you tried videoing/recording a gig for the band to listen back to? It may highlight the problem a bit easier to the other members. Sometimes in small venues, you just can't get the levels you want due to accoustics/layout of the venue.

If he's using IEMs, does he actually know you're getting feedback? Set up a mic in front of the PA on a hidden fader (from the drummer) and send the feedback into his IEMs (doesn't have to be deafening, aa tempting as it may be!) In the immortal words of Reg Presley "drummers, I sh1t 'um"

He doesn't seem to mind upsetting you (or the band)

Just because you do the sound, I don't think it's just your problem. Doesn't the singer get annoyed with the feedback? Or everyone else? Tell them they can't go any louder because of the drummer. I've mixed bands with loud drummers, and tell them the sound wasn't great because their drumner drowned everything else out (same with lead guitarists). It's everyone's problem, not just yours.

An arranger I once worked with (as engineer, not as a musician) once said as a general comment "don't save your best licks until the session is over". Which I think applies to life as well. Do your best at the time, not when what you're doing is over.

Guitarests who won't shut up noodling when others are trying to talk about parts/arrangements 🤬

I wasn't in the van, but it would have been around Corn Street somewhere to get into Clare street/Marsh Street.

So we made it out alive!.... Only joking. It was fine. It was a large, lively crowd but no trouble. There was a very attentive bouncer that kept the punters in check and made sure no one put glasses on the stage or PA (which a few tried). A couple of people walked across the front of the stage (more of a step really) as it was so packed. Loading out was difficult as people were still dancing to the DJ. So we just have to wait now to see if we get fined by Bristol City Council for parking on a double yellow, going through a no entry to get outside the pub and ofc we had to pay the Clean Air charge twice as we went past midnight. One sore point. When we finished playing, the DJ played Sweet Caroline, and more people sang to that than us! 🤦🏼

Tonight's the night. We're looking forward to it, but also not sure what to expect. Will report back. (I see looking back that I said next weekend, should have been 'in a fortnight')

Thats very good advice, and helps provide the engineer with a direction.

If you know you made a mistake, ask to patch it up. Otherwise you'll be hearing that mistake every time you listen to the track. Once you've done your bits, it can get boring very quickly. Take something to amuse yourself with. Studios are like a microscope. Don't over analyse (else you may loose the vibe, and that goes for everyone). Studio recording is very different to live, so accept it and work at it. At midnight, when the mix is sounding good, if anyone says "can I have a bit more me", tell them "no" in the sternest terms, else you'll be the at 6 in the morning thinking what the hell just happened! (trust me, I've been there with bands too many times) Don't try to do too much, be realistic, things take longer than you think. Enjoy it!

Plus the congestion charge re-news at midnight, which means if you're not loaded and gone by then, you have to pay another fee.

Thanks for the replys. I've been in there a couple of Saturday nights and yes, it does get a bit frantic. The punters have always seemed up for it. Hopefully we'll have some fun.