So you’re done with rehearsals, and everything sounded great. You confidently embark on the gig, only to discover that nothing sounds as you expected it would. You may wonder why things are so different. You may even be faced with the challenge of not being able to hear yourself or other members of the band.
Room Acoustics
The most important aspect to keep in mind is that different venues (or rooms) differ in acoustics, and as a result sound changes. You can adapt to these changes in various ways. It’s the reason why your amplifier contains EQ controls, essentially allowing you to adjust your sound in accordance to the room.
PA Configuration
A lot of guitar players believe that their tone begins and ends with their guitar and amp, however the PA system can have a large impact (positive or negative) on your tone and the overall sound. It’s the reason why good results are achieved with a skilled sound engineer, a high quality PA system and even good musicians.
Midrange
One thing to keep in mind is that the guitar (along with vocals) is, essentially, a midrange instrument. The general solution to the “I can’t hear myself” scenario would be to boost the mids on your amplifier. Try and adjust your tone in context of a mix.
Playing Intensity (Dynamics)
Sometimes if you’re unable to hear yourself, it’s necessary to ask whether the problem is indeed your own or if another band member is responsible. A drummer who hits with a high intensity can result in a poor audible reference for the rest of the instruments in the band.
