I Ran a Benefit Concert Yesterday...

[thesilentdrummer]

So yesterday, the fruits of my labor were finally paid off. For the last 2 months I was organizing a benefit concert, securing bands, working on a location, getting PA gear, etc. So yesterday came and went, and we had a successful evening.

About the event: We had four bands, two local high school bands, a local college band (Northern Illionois), and a band signed with Hey You! records, The Rikters. It took place in a really cool park bandshell. We had a relatively simple setup compared to what else I have seen. We had my 500 watt, 9 mic input Behringer PMX 2000 (PMH 2000 on Musicians Friend), which received three vocal mics, a kick mic, a snare mic, two overhead mics (and Keyboard/synth for one band). I sent a mix out to an 800W mixer to power the mains. Guitars were unmiced, but they sat incredibly well in the "mix" at this venue. Everything sounded way better than I thought it would, but there were some things I learned from my troubles.

1) Its easier to make good bands sound good. I know that Brandon has said this over and over in regards to recording bands. But I really understand it now. The first band (young high school group) was probably the least talented group (though they could play pretty well, their lead vocals could sure use some polish). I had a harder time getting them to sound good (about 20 minutes, excluding the "setup time", that is, getting approximate levels worked out/working out the bugs) than the second group, the rikters, who were obviously the best (it took maybe 5 minutes). The other two groups were somewhere in between for ease of setup.

2) Close micing drums may not always be the best idea. As stated, I didn't close mic the drums (besides kick and snare), basically because I didn't have enough mics/inputs. But the drums sounded awesome (particularly for the rikters and the better of the high school bands, they had an acrylic 4 piece and a DW 6 piece respectively). So I know that in the when recording future, I will record all close mics and overheads, but definately try muting the close miced toms and see if they sound any better that way.

3) Feedback is a bitch!! Enough said.

[brandondrury]

Good job on your show dude.

There's nothing like experience to put hair on your balls. The best live bands need little tweaking. I think I mentioned this in the pasted. My buddy who's been through the major label bootcamp of drumming on an album sounds pretty damn good. When a "pretty good" local drummer gets up there and plays on the kit it turns to muddy crap.

Who was the benefit for? Me?

Brandon

[thesilentdrummer]

Originally Posted by brandondrury

Who was the benefit for? Me?

Haha, unfortunately no. We did a show in conjunction with a car wash to raise money for local families who have loved ones injured or killed on active.

[brandondrury]

That's a kick ass cause, dude!

Good job!

Brandon

[Baron]

Originally Posted by thesilentdrummer

1) Its easier to make good bands sound good. I know that Brandon has said this over and over in regards to recording bands. But I really understand it now.

ain't that the truth..... crap in poop out

It took place in a really cool park bandshell.

These things can work wonders if the drums are set up in the right spot. It's all about the 'room'

3) Feedback is a bitch!! Enough said.

Did you have a 31 band graphic or did you try to do this with the built in graphics on the desks?

Great cause....power to you


Baron

[thesilentdrummer]

Originally Posted by Baron

Did you have a 31 band graphic or did you try to do this with the built in graphics on the desks?

No, it was built in graphics. I didn't fool too much with EQ though, as I would be shooting in the dark.

[brandondrury]

Even with the right tools and 5+ years of recording experience I was completley clueless for the first few live shows. I have tremendous respect for the real deal sound guys. They never get platinum records on their walls but they are some of the most bad ass audio dudes in the planet.

Brandon