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Proper Monitor Control in Clubs
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| RJT |
Here's yet another "I'm new to playing out in bigger clubs so help me not make an ass of myself" thread. :p
I've noticed that in a LOT of clubs, it seems as though the monitor situation puts the DJ at significant disadvantage from the onset. I was playing a few weeks back and told that I basically had to keep the monitors on at all times because when I killed them, the front part of the room (particularly the part of the dancefloor near the booth) could really notice it.
Now perhaps I'm spoiled, and I guess I"m sure I am, but I'm used to being able to control my monitors independently, without it affecting the quality of sound in the room. Even at house parties I play, the sound is set up so I can kill the monitors and the room will never notice.
In any event, I hate having to play with the monitors on all the time. It's not that I can't, I just really don't like too. Anyone have any recommendations for how to deal with this situation in a club - Or is it just kind of a "you're ed m8" scenario?
:conf: |
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| idoru |
| I don't really mind having to have my monitors on. In most clubs I've been to, it's typically a, "you're ed, mate" scenario. The back of the club isn't going to notice, but the front is, and hard. One of the best clubs I've ever been to practically lived off it's monitors. |
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| RJT |
| quote: | Originally posted by idoru
I don't really mind having to have my monitors on. In most clubs I've been to, it's typically a, "you're ed, mate" scenario. The back of the club isn't going to notice, but the front is, and hard. One of the best clubs I've ever been to practically lived off it's monitors. |
Yeah, it just really doesn't seem like something that's all that hard to plan for ahead of time though, you know? It just appears to be a common problem, so why not take that into consideration when designing your booth?
:conf: |
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| Freak |
Ive encountered the same
Dodgy wiring meant you turned the monitors down and the front set of speakers went down too !!
I have monitors as low as possible at all times, and often off if I can help it. If its too loud I mix worse. But in that situation, yes you are ed.
Bottom line, you have to deal with it as you encounter it. Think yourself lucky you HAVE monitors- the number of venues Ive seen which dont have any, or have a tiny tiny pair you can barely hear is quite high. |
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| RJT |
| quote: | Originally posted by Freak
Bottom line, you have to deal with it as you encounter it. Think yourself lucky you HAVE monitors- the number of venues Ive seen which dont have any, or have a tiny tiny pair you can barely hear is quite high. |
Oh I know - I've had the misfortune of playing without monitors on many an occasion, about a year and a half ago I had to hound the new owners of the club I have residency at just to get any monitors.
But yeah, I figured it was a subjective thing, I'm just hoping I can find a solid workaround - Nothing worse than blazing monitors all night :( |
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| Zild |
| This will almost always happen. |
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| idoru |
| quote: | Originally posted by RJT
Yeah, it just really doesn't seem like something that's all that hard to plan for ahead of time though, you know? It just appears to be a common problem, so why not take that into consideration when designing your booth?
:conf: |
You have to take into consideration that many clubs don't have a sound tech that's truly knowledgeable. Two examples...
- My first gig. The club I played at had peaked so many times that the red LEDs all across the club had burnt out. Piss funny to see, especially when one of our biggest promoters came up behind me halfway through my set (I was watching my levels perfectly) and cranked the gain on everything, gave me a thumbs-up and walked off. I couldn't exactly tell him to off. :whip:
- LoveFest Afterparty (done very professionally in every aspect, except the lines, but that's a whole 'nother issue). I look over at their gear and everything is hitting red.
It's common sense to a lot of us, but the main people running the show have just never seemed to understand it. If I were in the position to spin out, I'd always expect the worst. |
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| Caligula_37 |
my club doesn't even have monitors.
wanna trade rob? lol |
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| jdat |
I guess you would love playing here then:
Two level club, with booth on the second level which is a real booth ( own room with private door to enter ).
You can completely control volume in the booth ( including a dedicated subwoofer ) and no one outside the booth will notice. I remember having full blown conversations throughout a night in that booth.
The thing you are wanting is usually only in really big clubs with top notch installations.
| quote: | Originally posted by Freak
Bottom line, you have to deal with it as you encounter it. Think yourself lucky you HAVE monitors- the number of venues Ive seen which dont have any, or have a tiny tiny pair you can barely hear is quite high. |
yeah no monitors can be really bad when you are having to process in your mind the room delay coming back to your ears while you are trying to beatmatch and all the millions of other problems.... blah monitors or bust :wtf: |
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