Live Sound

Basic Tools You Should Bring to Every Gig

March 28, 2025

At any time at any gig, something is bound to go wrong and you may need a tool to get you back up and running. Here are a few basic tools you should bring to every gig.

Tips For the Solo Guitarist and Vocalist

July 01, 2024

This article will cover a few technical aspects to improve your solo performance as well as gig preparation and performance tips.

Replacing Guitar and Bass Amps With Amp Modelers On Stage

May 06, 2024

Many guitar and bass players have long held the purist attitude that no amp modeler or direct-to-sound system rig could ever replace a real amp. But with the analog and digital technology available today, more and more musicians are going direct on stage for various reasons. Let’s take a look at why, and the options available.

The Top 5 Things Every Live Guitarist Should Know

July 28, 2023

Assuming you already know how to play and you’re either just getting started gigging or you’ve been out a while – there are a few key things you might want to know in order to get your best results on stage. Here are our top five.

Filling Out a Sound with Minimal Instruments

March 23, 2023

It’d be great if you could always count on two guitar players, a pianist, a whole horn section, four backup singers, bass, drums, and extra percussion, but the truth is it’s not easy to get that many musicians together at once. Sometimes you may have to make do with yourself and one other person. But that doesn’t mean the sound has to be empty or incomplete. Here, we’ll talk about filling out a sound with minimal instrumentation.

Amping Your Acoustic Guitar

December 08, 2022

Even if you’re a dyed-in-the-wool rocker, the occasional “unplugged” show is a great thing to do. If you’re a singer-songwriter with an acoustic, it’s all you do. But unplugged is pretty much always a misnomer, as it’s rare to see a totally unamplified acoustic guitar on stage.

Using Electronic Drums on Stage

October 21, 2022

For the purist, the idea of using electronic drums on stage may sound like blasphemy, but there’s plenty of reason to do it – even if you’re in a full-on traditional rock band. An electronic kit may not be the beastly instrument a real drum kit is, but it can be useful either in place of or as an adjunct to the real kit. Here we’ll go over a few reasons why.

How to Maximize Sound Check

August 12, 2022

The soundcheck is where the magic happens – at least according to some. There’s no denying that a solid soundcheck is the best way to ensure everything works and sounds like you want come show time. But soundcheck is often an afterthought, and sometimes there’s very little time to get one in. So, it behooves any band to know how to make the most out of a short time for working out the kinks. Here are just a few ways to maximize your sound check.

Prepping For a Solo Gig When You Haven't Been on Stage in Awhile

July 08, 2022

Whether it’s because the pandemic had you isolated, you’ve been ensconced in a new record, or you’ve just been busy with work and life, if you haven’t been on stage in a while, an invitation to play solo can be a daunting proposition. After all, without a band to back you up, it’s all on you. But even if it’s been a while since you’ve been on stage, you can still succeed in coming back strong.

Here are a few tips for getting ready for that long-awaited comeback.

Finding New Bandmates or Collaborators

May 19, 2022

Whether you’ve been isolating for a couple of years due to the pandemic, or you’ve just always worked alone, now may be a great time to find some new blood to work with. Maybe you’d like to start or refresh a live band, collaborate on some tracks with other producer/musicians, or do a featured performance on an artist’s next hit.

5 Tips for Writing Better Lyrics Faster

April 15, 2022

Lyrics are a bane for some musicians – for others they seem to come quickly and easily. But it’s not just God-given talent that makes good lyrics come quickly. There are a few tried and true techniques for speeding up the journey from nothing to something good. Here are our top 5 tips for writing better lyrics faster.

Accompanying vs. Playing in a Band: Key Differences to Consider

March 31, 2022

As an instrumentalist, the role you play in a given situation isn’t always the same, and the skills you need vary depending on that role. Studio musicians require a different skillset than live players and likewise, accompanists need a different skillset than ensemble players.

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