Good points as usual guys.
The 'good' news is that she did understand there was a problem. Before I answered and she saw me simply smile, she actually said, " Mmm, he's (the sound guy) not very good is he?". So I said, well he does need some training.
I tried to explain what I was hearing to her - she is not very savvy that way but she understood. I told her that I love to hear her sing and was simply disappointed in the fact that she was straining to be heard and I could tell. She told me she could tell there was a huge difference in the sound when we run it for her.
I saw various problems.
1) That young man should not have been left with the console alone. He had no idea what he was doing and requires some training.
2) I honestly think that even if it had been me sitting there, or even one of you more experienced peeps, there was very little that could be done to get those speakers to sound much better.
3) Sadly, as 'seasoned' as those guys appeared, I think they fall into that category Dick - not even recognizing how bad the sound was I believe they were guided by their eyes and not their ears. 2 healthy looking stacks of boxes must sound good right?
4) It seemed as if there were no highs whatsoever. It sounded like it does when I have my subs and mids working but nothing coming through the horns. The fact that no-one seemed to notice is too weird.
5) The crowd seemed to like it and I am not sure they would have known the difference if it was good or bad. This worries me because the week before, I was running the sound for the band who played that week and it sounded fantastic.
6) My friend is the newcomer in the band and I hate to say it but having been a girl in this world in the music industry for a long time, it is the same as any other field - sometimes we are not taken seriously and I saw the rolling of the eyes from the guitar player and the young guy when she asked for more me.
Sometimes its a case of' "Who do you think you are? - we have been doing things this way for years and we know what we are doing".
Don't get me wrong, I love being a girl and it has many advantages but it is sometimes a tough gig getting guys/musicians to take you seriously which leads me to my final point and why I did not offer to help.
When hubby isn't actually playing with his band and he and I run sound together for someone else, I have noticed a few things.
Till the band members get to know me - and they eventually realize the part I play -, they will go up to Chris and ask for what they need. All communication goes through him and I get treated like the sound guy's girlfriend/wife. Little do they know he comes straight to me with concerns because he doesn't 'do' technical. I am OK with that because it makes no difference how the message is delivered as long as it gets to me. But sometimes I get a bit frustrated.
Also, I couldn't do this without him- he does the majority of the hauling in and out, sets up the stage area, drums, mics etc and I wire up the FOH and monitor systems. We have a great method and it works so if it ain't broke - don't fix it.
I think because I am not always taken seriously that if I had walked over to that console and spoken to the young man, I really think he would have disregarded everything I had to say. And of course as Frank said, how would he know I wasn't just another 'punter'
Ironically, there are local musicians who have gotten to know me who will call me to ask for advice on equipment buying and set-up because they 'get' me and they know that I am happy to research anything for them that I am unsure of.
I have friends who have home stereo systems that sound like poop and they think they sound great . I went to Bon Jovi concert a few months ago here in Raleigh and the sound was awful. No drums, vocals far too loud - just not good. My friend said she thought it sounded great…..
Anyway…. I'll keep plodding on till I can plod no longer and I will endeavor to do the best job I can and try not to be too judgmental of others….. for some folks, it makes no difference whether the sound is good or bad it seems.