1 Topic by Partial2Marshall (edited by Partial2Marshall 2009-11-05 17:53:11)

  • Registered: 2008-10-10
  • Posts: 180

Topic: Low volume practice with high volume amps

I am creating a rehearsal space in my house for my band.  No more comute times, wasted fuel, and such.  My house is a log cabin in the woods made of cedar that is very efficient at transfering sound like a classical guitar top and I do have neighbors!  Because of this, we are going with a D-drum kit (my drummer can play on tin cans and sound great) but, I want to use my live rig to get used to the pedal dance and coloring the songs.  3 half stacks, 2 marshall, one fender blended make up my rig (more EJ than JB, and more metal/rock than blues/rock).  May try shields or turning cabs to face the wall (thanks Joe, good one).  Any suggestions on working with D-drums(drum amps) or small rehearsal spaces would be appreciated. Vocals will be room volume...in theory

Where the hell does one get a black-backed gold top anyway?
  • Registered: 2007-11-04
  • Posts: 404

Re: Low volume practice with high volume amps

So let me get this strait. You want to use 3 halfstacks so you can practice pedal switching and such, but your drummer is using a crappy D-Drums to keep the volume down.

I guess the easiest thing to do would be to find on the front of the amp the knob that says Volume and turn it to the left until it is the same volume as the drum amp you are using.

I think you are heading down a wierd path my friend. If you are trying to use 3 halfstacks yet you are making your drummer comprimise by using D-Drums, I think your going to have problems.

Either let him play regular drums,

or

Use one of your amps quietly.  If your drummer has to comprimise then maybe you'll have to also.

What is your setup?  How are you using the three amps?

  • From: Lancashire
  • Registered: 2008-02-26
  • Posts: 700

Re: Low volume practice with high volume amps

Aye practise isnt about blowing ears apart smile

I think its best to get the vocals at a reasonable volume (no shouting etc) then have the drums, bass and guitar sufficently below that. Otherwise it would only serve as a practise tomake noise... Turning the amp to face a wall will have little effect in a small room.
TBH it depends what type of practise you want, If you wanna learn songs then its best to do it quietly so you can see the mistakes more clearly, if you want to do a live rehearsal type practise then ask a local pub on a dacft day (like tues,wed) if you can practise in front of people (pubs are usually really quiet at the beginning of a week) atleast then you could play at a proper volume...

Just remember you cant replace your ears (yet)

4 Reply by Partial2Marshall (edited by Partial2Marshall 2009-11-06 17:43:53)

  • Registered: 2008-10-10
  • Posts: 180

Re: Low volume practice with high volume amps

J-galv.  Use the volume knob...BRILLIANT!  roll  Yeah it's a weird path but, current needs dictate it.  I was just wondering if anyone has experimented with a practice scenario such as this.  I know the amps aren't going to sound as good but it is essential to use the live rig because 1.  it's a complicated system and needs work.  2.  It allows me to color and experiment within the song.  3.  I am a firm believer in practice how you want to play...ie use what you're going to use live.
Now I may get into the situation and find a low watt amp is better (it would have to be) but was just wondering if anyone was in the same situation. 

I have one JCM800 2203, JCM800 2204, and a Fender twin reverb, all halfstacks.  Framptone 3 amp blender and various pedals.

Practice in a metal band is sometimes about blowing ears apart because most of the metal drummers I have played with have minimal (if any) dynamics and therefore my rigs were sized appropriately ( Think Animal in the Muppet Show) .  My new drummer has dynamics which is weird, he actually listens! And his V (or ist it D?) drum set is quite nice and not crappy at all so it should be a useful tool.

We will have to see if we can rent a pub or something to get real live tones dialed in before the gig, great suggestion John, thank you

For the record...not a big fan of attenuators... price and performance.  Might try some kind of baflle system. 

I'll bring up ear replacements to my fellow medical device prototypers here at work and see if we can't come up with something smile

Where the hell does one get a black-backed gold top anyway?
  • From: Lancashire
  • Registered: 2008-02-26
  • Posts: 700

Re: Low volume practice with high volume amps

smile its just somet we do, a local service mens club on thurs night its usually dead so they let us practise for free, even get a few free drinks too :x. Always worth asking anyhow, some landlords just like music on and the sight of a freebie makes them see ££££

  • Registered: 2008-03-07
  • Posts: 508

Re: Low volume practice with high volume amps

use the volume knob Ha Ha ha  nice one JGALV

Seriously , Last week we had to use a stand in bassist and we went to his to rehearse turns out he
has set up a practice room in his hut in the back garden . using an electronic drumkit and small PA .
everything went through the Pa except the guitar which was through a fender twin and marshall jubilee
the jubilee sounds ok low so we had a good balanced sound and afterwards no ringing ears .

While its nice to set up full volume this was a nice change .
the point being if it works in a hut then it would work in your log house:D

"Everybody's entitled to my opinion. wink
  • Registered: 2008-10-10
  • Posts: 180

Re: Low volume practice with high volume amps

SOFTMC wrote:

use the volume knob Ha Ha ha  nice one JGALV

Seriously , Last week we had to use a stand in bassist and we went to his to rehearse turns out he
has set up a practice room in his hut in the back garden . using an electronic drumkit and small PA .
everything went through the Pa except the guitar which was through a fender twin and marshall jubilee
the jubilee sounds ok low so we had a good balanced sound and afterwards no ringing ears .

While its nice to set up full volume this was a nice change .
the point being if it works in a hut then it would work in your log house:D

wow thanks bro!..That's good info,  got some work to do to get the room ready.  this house transmits sound strangely I can hear everything that takes place outside.  so I must be throwin' sound to the outer neighbors'...It will work, i really don't have a choice If I want to play.

Where the hell does one get a black-backed gold top anyway?
  • Registered: 2007-11-04
  • Posts: 404

Re: Low volume practice with high volume amps

3.  I am a firm believer in practice how you want to play...ie use what you're going to use live.


Unless your the drummer???

  • Registered: 2008-10-10
  • Posts: 180

Re: Low volume practice with high volume amps

jgalvan8804 wrote:

3.  I am a firm believer in practice how you want to play...ie use what you're going to use live.


Unless your the drummer???

Now why the hell would I care about the drummer?  Besides he gets plenty of time on his real kit with his other projects and he says the electronic kit isn't bad.  Just for the record I don't care about the singer either.   tongue

Where the hell does one get a black-backed gold top anyway?