Concert audio towards the stage.

livelysins96

livelysins96

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Apr 12, 2014
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I was at a concert this last Friday, and the audio for the show sounded terrible from where i was at. It was general admission, i got there a few hours early to get a good spot. I was a few feet from the stage, literally. I might have been by one of the subs because that was almost all i could hear. I was a little left from the middle mike. I didnt let this spoil my good time though, i had a blast! Anyways, is that the sacrifice for being right up by the stage? Has anyone else ever experienced this? Might have just been a terrible sound tech. Ive been to many concerts but never been this close, and all of the others sounded good.
P.S. it was Monster Truck/ Alter Bridge.
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In my not so humble opinion I'll tell you what the biggest problem with almost any and all non-orchestral concerts today: What you hear is nothing more than the performers played through a big public address system.

You NEVER hear the performers live.

Bring me back a hundred years where the instruments were real and the vocalists actually had to belt it out.
 
I think middle row may have been a more pleasing experience allowing you to hear the music more as a whole instead of being so close and in your face.
 
Saw Priscilla Ahn last night in a small 'acoustic cafe' and the sound was decent sitting up front. But we're going to see Natalie Merchant somewhere in PA and the sales person suggested we seat mid-floor to get the best vocals.
 
Wow Allen; Natalie Merchant, right on!

* Large Rock concerts: Mid to two-third hall
** Classical orchestral concerts: Row H to M ...And not under the grand balcony. ...Or in the high side balconies.
*** Jazz/Blues venues: Rows F to L
**** Small classical chamber music: Rows E to J
***** Live band in your living room: 10 to 15 feet ...Acoustic and light electric (low volume).

And all near the center. ...From experience as a listener and assistant sound engineer. :)
 
NorthStar said:
Wow Allen; Natalie Merchant, right on!

* Large Rock concerts: Mid to two-third hall
** Classical orchestral concerts: Row H to M ...And not under the grand balcony. ...Or in the high side balconies.
*** Jazz/Blues venues: Rows F to L
**** Small classical chamber music: Rows E to J
***** Live band in your living room: 10 to 15 feet ...Acoustic and light electric (low volume).

And all near the center. ...From experience as a listener and assistant sound engineer. :)
Click to expand...

So you do sacrifice sound quality for being up and in the dudes faces. Haha. Oh well, IMO, the best experience is up close, whether or not the sound is sacrificed is beside the point. For flat out rock shows anyways.

Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk
 
NorthStar said:
Wow Allen; Natalie Merchant, right on!

* Large Rock concerts: Mid to two-third hall
** Classical orchestral concerts: Row H to M ...And not under the grand balcony. ...Or in the high side balconies.
*** Jazz/Blues venues: Rows F to L
**** Small classical chamber music: Rows E to J
***** Live band in your living room: 10 to 15 feet ...Acoustic and light electric (low volume).

And all near the center. ...From experience as a listener and assistant sound engineer. :)
Click to expand...

+1

This is exactly why the console is where it is at a rock show...in the sweet spot.

Some of the best live sound I have ever heard was at shows like Norah Jones, Steely Dan, George Winston, Tony Bennett, etc. Not full on SPL like Motorhead, Ted Nugent, or KISS, just mixed extremely well and balanced throughout the venue. The Steely Dan show I saw back in September (Orchestra LftCtr, Row J, on the aisle) at the Wang Theater in Boston was stunningly well mixed. So well in fact, that you could actually hear the nuances of the entire drum kit and the effect of rosin on the upright bass strings through the PA. I had to stop by the console and give them props for the great mix.

And that's the trade off for seeing the whites of their eyes...

;)

C
 
In the couple venues I go to, up front is far from the best spot for any amplified shows. Many times I had seats between the 1st row and the middle only to move to empty back rows halfway thru to enjoy the music more. There have been plenty of smooth jazz type bands that had good sound and mixing, like the Rippingtons but shows like Buddy Guy, forgetaboutit. My wife was always smart enough to use cotton while my ears would ring for 2 days. One of the best guitarists, but way too loud all the time.
 
merchant

socfan12 said:
Saw Priscilla Ahn last night in a small 'acoustic cafe' and the sound was decent sitting up front. But we're going to see Natalie Merchant somewhere in PA and the sales person suggested we seat mid-floor to get the best vocals.
Click to expand...

For those of us not lucky enough to get to a merchant concert, check out the live in nyc recording of her. It's an hdcd and great recording.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_in_Concert_(Natalie_Merchant_album)
 
livelysins96 said:
So you do sacrifice sound quality for being up and in the dudes faces. Haha. Oh well, IMO, the best experience is up close,
whether or not the sound is sacrificed is beside the point. For flat out rock shows anyways.
Click to expand...

Another ten rock concerts like that and you'll lose your audiophile badge (permanent hearing loss). ;):D

Yeah, up close and personal, #right on! (-;
 
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