Volume in the mix

[Nicko]

We recently changed froma 5 piece to a 4 piece. Although the singist is filling in a bit on guitar, we have lost one guitar sound form some of the songs. The band are constantly telling me to turn up my volume, but its as loud as it ever was in the 5 piece. It seems counter intuitive to me that the bass would need to be louder in a more open music format. Am I wrong?

Edited July 5, 2017 by Nicko

[Stylon Pilson]

It may be that the now-absent guitarist used a bassy EQ that made the other band members think that the bass guitar was louder than it actually was,

S.P.

[Dad3353]

[quote name='Nicko' timestamp='1499258844' post='3330322']...Am I wrong?
[/quote]

It may take some time for the new formation to become familiar. It may be wise to change nothing (anybody...) until you've all become more accustomed. It's pretty sterile trying to sound as you all were before.
An option, if anyone insists, is to use the DFA knob, either on the bass, the amp or a pedal. Astute miming can convince some psychologically that things are greatly improved with its use.
Just my tuppence-worth.

[Osiris]

Are you scooping the mids out of your sound?
If you are, try eq'ing them back in as it'll make the bass appear louder and more prominent in the mix even though you're not actually turning the amp up.

If you're not scooping your mids out, then I've got no idea!

[tonyquipment]

Raise the mids for some mid range honk

It will sound much louder

[Phil Starr]

Obviously we don't know what you sound like but any change in your on stage sound is going to feel a bit odd until you get used to it. You'd be better off worrying about your FOH sound for the audience so why not record your rehearsals and listen to that afterwards before trying to redo your eq. We did one gig with our rhythm guitarist missing through family commitments and it sounded really thin at the gig. The recording of the gig sounded great afterwards, it may not be what you expect.

Are your band members missing cues from what your second guitarist was playing or maybe rhythmic drive? It may be they just want a little push at times and you may have to change what you play a little.

Having said all that when i've played with a five piece I've generally ended up cutting the top end and boosted the low mids so I can sit in an acoustic pocket without muddying the overall sound. Again listen to recordings.

Edited July 6, 2017 by Phil Starr

[Lozz196]

Yep, also depends on what guitar the rhythm guitarist was using, if a Les Paul there`s suddenly going to be a very noticeable hole in the mids.

[stingrayPete1977]

Have you got a 'DFA' knob on your amp?

[chris_b]

[quote name='Nicko' timestamp='1499258844' post='3330322']
Am I wrong?
[/quote]
Yes.

If the band wants more bass. . . . step up and bloody well give it to them!

[Nicko]

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1499341262' post='3330833']
Yes.

If the band wants more bass. . . . step up and bloody well give it to them!
[/quote]

Its trouser flapping volume already.

[Nicko]

[quote name='Osiris' timestamp='1499260555' post='3330349']
Are you scooping the mids out of your sound?
If you are, try eq'ing them back in as it'll make the bass appear louder and more prominent in the mix even though you're not actually turning the amp up.

If you're not scooping your mids out, then I've got no idea!
[/quote]

Quite the opposite. My graphic is set with a sad face.

[Nicko]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1499337665' post='3330803']
Have you got a 'DFA' knob on your amp?
[/quote]

The line out.

[tonyquipment]

[quote name='Nicko' timestamp='1499358645' post='3331017']


Quite the opposite. My graphic is set with a sad face.
[/quote]

Sad bass.

[redbandit599]

Maybe try a bit of dirt if you don't already use it? In my two guitar rock band, I have some drive/distortion (there's plenty already from the guitars) - but use a lot more in my one guitar pop/rocky band.

I much prefer playing with just one guitarist now I'm used to it.

[chris_b]

I don't mind 2 or more guitarists. How well they play is the deciding factor for me.

Unfortunately and economics these days invariably means there's only 1 guitarist on the gig.

[pete.young]

Bit of compression maybe, low threshold, 4dB, fast attack, slowest release you can get away with?