I went to see a great band recently that had a great sound and they went down really well. So in theory there's no problem.
Except I felt like I was at a rock disco instead of listening to a real live band. We were in a pub, but it sounded like I was listening to an album track or a live gig in a stadium.
There was an electronic drum kit, a rhythm guitarist with Variax and a lead guitarist with a Helix going into the PA. I appreciated the musicianship but I felt disconnected from the music, which didn't sound like it was 'in the room'.
I've nothing against modellers and use a Helix (fx only) going into an HRD IV. So I'm happy to use modellers, but don't feel ready to make the full leap to a fully modelled sound without an analogue valve amp in the loop. Based on what I recently heard I wonder how much full use of modellers into a PA will connect with the room for a 'real' live experience. Maybe it's down to choice of reverb and ampsim.
It's not a competition.
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I think my first post came out more negative than intended, because I can definitely see the positives of having an almost studio quality live sound in a pub and I might go down that route myself.
Obviously it's different at a big gig where everything is mic'd up anyway. Maybe I just need to adjust my expectations of a small pub gig sound.
And I absolute hate having to try to hone my ear in the right part from terrible monitors when there is background noise (some level of misophonia) so having the mix in my ear is much more preferable
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With that said, the OP's complaint is probably more to do with the electronic drums than anything. If there's one thing guaranteed to suck the life out of a band's sound - whether live or recorded - it's digital drums. I have no idea why, but the tech just isn't there yet.
That may be the most significant factor.
Some pubs we play are the traditional music pubs where the punters like and want a loud band but some just want live music and still be able to hold a conversation.
Its being able to do both just as well that gets us repeat booking without any effort - we are fully booked for next year.
It took me around 6 months and various 3rd party presets and irs but my helix sounds pretty much the same as my amp miked up through the pa
That said, it would be nice to have a slightly lower overall band volume sometimes as some punters clearly seem to get blasted
Totally respect the skills to be able to play those gigs. And the fact that some people obviously do want that.
I just don't get it...
A lot of our repeat bookings come because the bar staff can hear the customers, and the customers stay longer and drink more because they can talk to each other.
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A live band in a small room with backline-only - if done well - or very light PA reinforcement, still sounds better to me for traditional rock-type music than a silent stage with everything through the PA. But it's pretty easy to do it badly as well.
I do think the PA-only approach works better for acoustic-based bands or more modern non-rock music.
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I admit even the best electronic drum kits dont have the same vibe as an acoustic kit live though.
Second factor is that our brains can distinguish the directions of individual sounds, and focus in on particular instruments. Whereas, with a PA, the best we can get is “panned mono”.
Electronic drums tend to leave a sonic space which enables everyone else to be smoother, more scooped and with all harshness (including the good stuff) removed.
I did a three day session at Monnow Vale a couple of years ago where the drummer used a top-of-the-range Roland e-kit and it was the most depressing session of my life, despite the skill of all the pros involved.