[klarisa]

Hello,

I am performing on a reception as background music in a few weeks. About a 150 people are expected. I am used of playing with backup tracks i made with biab. I normaly play outdoors on fancy fairs market places and so. I have never used a microphone and or amplifier for myself. only the backuptracks go trough an active loudspeaker. That was always fine since people who like to hear me just come closer to listen or have a drink on a nearby terras (where the owner often is the one who pays me)

On this reception where i suspect a lot of noise from people chatting around would it be neccesary to amplify myself? Or is it not important since i am only background.

please excuse my english my normal language is dutch.

 

[widetrack]

If possible, get yourself some amplification. If you don't need it, no problem. But if they ask for more dB during the gig, you're better off being able to accommodate than not.

Try asking the client in advance, but don't depend on a non-musician knowing the correct answer to this. Check the venue if possible.

 

[artstove]

I would think 1) since you are background, probably no need for an amp (if they are chatting, they want to hear the words, not you) 2) a reception performance is a bad first time to try an amp if you have not been using one, and 3) anyone who wants to hear you can move closer.

 

[adamk]

Use a mic but turn it low with a fair amount of reverb. That way you can match the backing tracks "room" effect. If you must turn up the volume your reverb must be adjusted to the tracks. If you are inside, the room will effect the sound so adjust accordingly. The reason I mention all this is that a "dry" sax and wet tracks doesn't mix very well, especially outside. My band plays with tracks made from the tunes on our CD minus us. That's why we a careful to match tone and room. We have a small PA but use a subwoofer for bass and kick. Everybody goes through the PA (no separate amps).

 

[Pete Thomas]

I agree that even if you don't need to be (much) louder, a touch of reverse will be nice. It needn't be a long over the top reverb, just enough to "feel" rather than actually hear will not only enhance the sound, but possible be less tiring to play and a bit more inspiring. That's what i find anyway.

 

[notes_norton]

Depends on the volume level you will need. As background music if the ambient noise in the room is too loud you will be drowned out and non-essential, if your music is too loud you are no longer background music.

I also agree with the reverb comments. A dry sax with a wet backing track is off to my ears. How many audience members will find it off? I can't say. Perhaps none. Perhaps it will subliminally sound better to many if you had some 'verb.

The key is always to try to be appropriate for the particular gig you happen to be playing. Play the appropriate music, improvise on the appropriate modes for that music, play at the appropriate volume, and do everything you can to be exactly what the person who hired you and the audience you are playing for wants.

So having a good mic (I like Sennhieser 421 for saxes), good PA system, good backing tracks (if you use them) and good instruments is essential. Knowing what to use for the particular gig is good taste and judgement.

But if you don't have the gear, you can't make the choice.

Insights and incites by Notes ♫

 

[saxguy007]

I have yet to actually use a mic for any of the sax-with-trax gigs I have ever done. However, I keep my wireless clip on (Samson airline 77) and stand mic (Electrovoice RE20)* in my trunk just in case. The reverb idea is intriguing, and I even have a NanoVerb unit from back-in-the day. However, the native "dry" sound of my sax as I play it for these events is loud enough such that I wonder how listeners could even hear the "wet" sax simultaneously running through my speaker-- unless I raise the volume to an unsuitable level.

*Based on SOTW recommendations, I bought and performed with my Sennheiser 421 for the longest time, wondering the whole time why my recordings sounded so trebly. Thank heavens I was tipped off to the RE 20 by another player. Sound guys at my gigs with bands have made unsolicited comments on how much richer my tenor sounds, and not having to compensate for the 421 on the board, c.f-

http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showth...ead-Sennheiser-421-Mk-II-vs-Electrovoice-RE20

 

[DanPerezSax]

I wouldn't use a mic based on that description, but then again every room is different. I also ALWAYS have a mic in the car. However, if you'd have to bring your own speakers/PA/amp or whatever, I wouldn't even think about it. You were hired as "sax guy," not "sound guy."

 

[Enviroguy]

A good standard acoustic amp with reverb does wonders for outside playing.

 

[SaxTon]

I would strongly recommend using a mike as for me playing with a good small PA allows me to hear myself and play more comfortably and work on tone and nuances and not blasting out to be heard or to hear myself.
Unless I am playing in a live sounding room with good acoustic feedback I always prefer to use a PA - of course adjusted to sound in balance with the piano, etc. depending on size of group.

 

[klarisa]

Thanks for the answers.

I think i will start without the mic but have it ready connected to the active speaker. I would then use it if i have a problem hearing myself. I have no mixing desk so it will be connected directly to the active speaker, meaning i won’t have reverb anyway.

If i do need the mic and if i have more gigs in the future i might buy me a small mixing desk with effects, that could be useful for my outdoor gigs as well.

 

[Bill Mecca]

I would have the mic, but work it... It's not like you have to "eat" the mic like you would on a rock gig, but having it there, a foot or three away from the sax will give it just enough umpf. It's also good to have in case the couple etc want's/needs to make any announcements.

 

[SaxTon]

If you are gigging regularly I strongly recommend you invest in a small high quality PA (QSC 8" powered speaker with Sennheiser 421 for example)and keep the mike not close to the bell for a nice natural projection of your sound. I prefer using a mikewhich allows me to relax and focus on tonal nuances, dynamics, musicality -and not blowing to loud to fill the room which I find fatiguing for a long gig. IMO it is tough to play into a dead room for example without the feedback you get from a well set up PA system. This is both an inspiring and comfortable situation for playing.

 

[notes_norton]

The magazine "Pro Audio Review" just named the Sennheiser 421 the second best dynamic mic in production. For brass and voice it came in first, but they didn't like it as a guitar cabinet mic.

It's also in the Technology Hall Of Fame.

I love mine and after my partner went through two AT mics and a Sure while my 421 still works perfectly, she went for a 421 for vocals.

I never have to 'eat the mic' with my sax, I have it in a vocal position on a small boom stand and just point it down to mic the sax. In our smaller venues it mixes the dry sax with the wet PA very well. On extremely small rooms with low volume (like a house party) I don't use it at all for sax.

 

[jshirley825]

Here's a video where the performer had a mic. It was at carnival though so it was definitely necessary but you can hear the effect of it clearly.