CAN YOUR MIX GET ANY CLEANER? FIND OUT HOW! PART 1

DISCLAIMER:  IT'S LIVE - DON'T TOTALLY STRESS OUT ABOUT BLEED

In a live situation, you are going to have bleed.  This is the nature of the beast, and is actually one of the most glorious things about a live gig.  This is not something to be frustrated or scared about, but to be celebrated. 

​Now with that in mind - read on:
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THINK ABOUT BEING INTENTIONAL

There are several ways to tighten & clean up a live mix.  In part 1 of this series, we will be exploring effective stage plotting.
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Check this out (what do you notice):

Drum overheads have minimum bleed because they are behind the band.  

Guitar amps are in front of the drums and are (for the most part) mic'd with super cardioids.
 
Keys and the Leslie are behind the guitar amps and not directly in front of the drums.  

Monitors shooting in the nulls of the vocal microphones.  

​Notice the sound absorption between the lead guitarist's amp and the keys area.


Here's another example:

What do you notice about the instrument amplifiers?

Notice the position of the performers in relation to each type of instrument.

FIND THE BALANCE BETWEEN A CLEAN MIX,
​AND NOT UPSETTING WHOM YOU ARE SERVING

​Don't be so hard headed that you are going to go for the ultimate stage plot while ignoring the needs of the musicians you are serving.  Find the balance.  If you are super polite and professional, most bands will compromise with what you want to achieve as well (within reason). Feel it out. Problem solve.  Be bendable.  If the musicians are not comfortable on stage, you can (and will) lose the vibe very quickly.  That's a lose-lose situation.  

​Stay tuned for the next post as we discuss more creative ways to clean up a live mix.