Author Topic: Different pickups for live? (Read 4788 times)

Peterku · « **on:** July 18, 2005, 12:03:59 AM »

I was wondering whether there are certain qualities of a pickup that are great for live settings but might sound a little bit exaggerated when recording. I mean, for example, I prefer a balanced EQ when practicing alone, but tend to set the bass and treble lower, and the mids higher on my amp when playing with my band so that I'm heard more easily.

For example, I know the Warpig sounds brutal, but at live settings, doesn't the massive compression it creates with the preamp, make it sound not loud/dynamic enough to cut through a busy mix? Or, could someone say that 'I use a Miracle Man on my records but play a Nailbomb live because it has more mids', or vica versa: the Miracle Man's played live because it has more presence? These examples are exaggerated but they'll show you what I mean.

Could you please share your thoughts on this? :)

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #1 on:** July 18, 2005, 12:39:37 AM »

Pretty interesting topic, Peterku!!

I would never keep a guitar that only sounded good or ideal in one situation. A great guitar is one that plays great, and sounds great live, at rehearsal, in the studio, and on lessons. Every room is different, so you can't expect a blanket EQ setting of XYZ on your head (for example) to sound equally good everywhere; you need to have enough understanding to know where your tone is deficient in a given setting and adjust your amp/TX accordingly.

HJM · « **Reply #2 on:** July 18, 2005, 06:42:12 AM »

I'm with TO on this, choose you pickup to suit your style and the amp to correct any tone/cut problems. But make sure you have a good match between amp/pup/guitar before you start. I usually end up with less gain, more mid and no reverb live.

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #3 on:** July 18, 2005, 10:39:39 AM »

Or use a BBE when playing live for definition

nuntius · « **Reply #4 on:** July 18, 2005, 05:12:26 PM »

Quote from: HJM

I usually end up with less gain, more mid and no reverb live.

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Frame those words on your wall guys, especially the no reverb comment. If you need a bit of ambience use a light delay, because that won't mush up your sound much

Tim · « **Reply #5 on:** July 18, 2005, 07:22:47 PM »

Ditto..........reverb live puts you out in the car park :lol:

Mid...........the all important frequency-scoop out at your peril!!

HJM · « **Reply #6 on:** July 18, 2005, 07:36:33 PM »

Wish someone had told me that when I was 11 and had a new Yamaha FX500 to play with....

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #7 on:** July 18, 2005, 07:41:04 PM »

Quote from: HJM

Wish someone had told me that when I was 11 and had a new Yamaha FX500 to play with....

Dude, you'd be shocked at the 'advice' being thrown around on this side of the pond. Practically everyone here thinks that scooped mids will make you sound more 'metal' (as well as using a Mesa, but that's another story).

HJM · « **Reply #8 on:** July 18, 2005, 07:52:10 PM »

Quote from: TwilightOdyssey

Quote from: HJM
Wish someone had told me that when I was 11 and had a new Yamaha FX500 to play with....

Dude, you'd be shocked at the 'advice' being thrown around on this side of the pond. Practically everyone here thinks that scooped mids will make you sound more 'metal' (as well as using a Mesa, but that's another story).

This is going to be an uphill struggle....

bucketshred · « **Reply #9 on:** July 18, 2005, 10:17:00 PM »

Anyone ever 'tune' their amp when playing live?

Andy!

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #10 on:** July 18, 2005, 10:32:51 PM »

Quote from: bucketshred

Anyone ever 'tune' their amp when playing live?

Andy!

Always, but it's usually just a +/- 3-4dB in any one direction.

bucketshred · « **Reply #11 on:** July 18, 2005, 10:36:44 PM »

Hmmmm.

I'm hoping that BKP's will give my Ashdown a better tone...

If not, JCM800 is mine!

Andy!