What's Up with the Sound Joe? (Page 1 of 2)

I am taking a couple of Joe B. virgins to the show in Greenville and hope the sound issue is resolved.  Two of the three shows we have attended have been great, one was iffy on the sound.  The room can for sure be a challenge to even the best technician. But some techs are their own worst enemies.  Bring your "A" game buddy!

Rocket,

I just noticed a couple of recent posts...I'll see for myself this coming Saturday when we see Joe In Columbus, GA..

I am guessing the sound quality was much better towards the back of the DPAC.  I did notice when we walked into the theater from the back that the bass from the the pre show music was very strong and you could feel it in your chest.  Once we got to our 4th row center seats, that chest thumping feel wasnt there.  Im pretty sure the front row big dollar seats were in the dead zone.  Bogie's sound from the stage was good but everything else sounded like it was coming from the back of the theater.  I consider myself to be very critical when it comes to sound quality so it may have been fine to others. Oh well,  well see what Vegas brings.   

Doug

Rocket-
Maybe it was only 500 times better but you get the point.    I dont think it was traveling that affected my perception although the two shows that IMO the sound quality was the worst were the two shows I traveled a long distance to get to (Fort Wayne and Durham).  Although I did travel to Baltimore and Chicago and they sounded fine.  If traveling causes hearing difficulty, I wont hear a thing when I travel 2000 miles to Vegas to see him in Feb!!!

Im the type of person who wants Joes voice and guitar to stand out.  In your face, loud and clear!!!  I dont want to have to struggle to hear him play.  From my seat, for the most part (Woke Up Dreaming and solo stuff without the band being the exception), "It" wasn't there for me last night.  My wife, her sister and my sister-in-laws boy friend (who plays in a band and currently recording a CD) all agreed.

I've seen a show or two. I have witnessed the affect your talking about. Depending on the placement of the stage stacked arrays there is limited coverage inside the first few rows. There is a need to add volume to the vocals and guitar in the two stage wedges placed along the front row. There is a fine line to adjusting them. Stage volume of the band can be as high a 102 DB and those wedges have to compete with that. You can make them uncomfortably loud to the first few rows if they need to cover the first 10. I contend if you don't like it loud then don't sit that close. I have found the sound to be best at least 10 rows back from the stage when the line arrays begin to cover the entire theater.

I'm no sound engineer but I like the guitar loud and the vocals audible and I have heard some incredible mixes over the last couple of years the further back in the room is usually better where the stage volume is not an issue. Smaller rooms the stage volume can make it hard to mix. I just think it would be advisable to sit trusted ears inside the first ten rows and advise the volume of the front fill wedges.

I am with Jim about sitting up front, if you don't like it loud do NOT sit there. I am not bemused by people who pay the price and then believe they have bought a legitimate gripe about it being "too loud" and then referencing their ticket price.  Bring some ear protection for goodness sake!!!  I like it loud and would be up front even if I was blind just to get it "loud enough" for me! However, I don't always NEED it to be really loud, so I tend to prefer about midway back.  As I am totally into the mixes, my ears can wander at will through the audible art galleries.  Depending on size, I also like to be so far back I am almost in another county, as to me that can be the best of all with magic from the stage and the mixing board.  What does a little rankling to me, is being in the front and, due to being over conservative, the bass is paltry, nay nearly (and likely is to many if not all further back) inaudible, and the vocals presence are overly dominant to ALL the rest of the music.  A premier and supremely gifted singer may as well be a capella and anyone else should fade into the background a tad (at minimum) more. 
I will be quite close, alone, at Nashville, Row DD seat 203.  If I get in for sound check I'll check it out. For the full on performance, I have great faith it will sound superb regardless.

Rock ON & Keep the Faith,
Rocket

"He still doesn't charge for mistakes! "
http://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/
"Everybody wants ta get inta the act!"
“Now, this isn’t your ordinary party crowd, here.  I mean, there are professionals in here.”

I am with you on standing Geoff, as you can always move to improve your perspectives, visually and aurally.

Rock On & Keep the Faith,
Rocket

"He still doesn't charge for mistakes! "
http://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/
"Everybody wants ta get inta the act!"
“Now, this isn’t your ordinary party crowd, here.  I mean, there are professionals in here.”

They always say 8th row center for the best sound...That's where we are at tomorrow night in Columbus...