Stage Monitor

Francis Chamberlain · Post by **Francis Chamberlain** » 26 Oct 2003 6:01 am

I play for a small gospel group and I get
complaints that I don't play loud
enough. I'm thinking about buying myself a
good monitor. I wood prefer one that is
light and compact in size as long as it has
quality sound and loud enough. Any
suggestions?

Ron Whitworth · Post by **Ron Whitworth** » 26 Oct 2003 6:34 am

Tell us more about what amp you are using & somone here will be able to give you some better advise then.
Thanks Ron

Francis Chamberlain · Post by **Francis Chamberlain** » 26 Oct 2003 6:44 am

I play though a Nashville 400...

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 26 Oct 2003 8:21 am

I hope I understand your question correctly. I'm not sure whether you are already using a monitor with the rest of the group coming through it (in which case you just need to turn that up).

If you are asking about running your steel through a monitor you will DECREASE your volume out front, because you sound louder to yourself and will turn down to compensate. Put more of EVERYTHING ELSE in the monitor and you'll naturally play louder.

Another possibility would be to reposition your amp. If it's behind you, blasting into your ear, try putting it beside your guitar or just getting it further away from you somehow.

Hope I am catching your drift here.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps[This message was edited by Larry Bell on 26 October 2003 at 08:30 AM.]

Francis Chamberlain · Post by **Francis Chamberlain** » 27 Oct 2003 7:33 am

Let me take the complications out of my orininal post and ask a simple question.
Do any of you guys have your own personal floor monitor? IF so, what???. Like I said, I'm thinking about buying one for myself and I would prefer it to not be big and heavy as long as it does the job.

Walter Hamlin · Post by **Walter Hamlin** » 27 Oct 2003 9:04 am

Francis, I too play in a gospel group. What Larry Bell told you is a very good way to do it. I've done it and seen other steelers in groups do it also. Most of the time it was miked. Also the small Bose speakers work very well. I played with a group years ago that had bought some very small and inexpensive speakers, built a small box and put them in it and it was all we needed for a personal monitor. I really like the amp setting beside and facing me about 24" off the floor better than any other way.
Walter Hamlin
Talladega, Al

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 27 Oct 2003 11:05 am

What is it you want coming out of the monitor, Francis? You or the rest of the ensemble or BOTH?

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Francis Chamberlain · Post by **Francis Chamberlain** » 27 Oct 2003 5:34 pm

Larry, I have played for several diffenent gospel groups. I now play for a small gospel trio. We have digital piano, bass and steel in the band.
The group has a tri flex sound system called "DAWN".
You are probably acquainted with the tri-flex systems. I have seen others, but not like this one. The "DAWN" is designed to be used without monitors, reason being it has a 180 degree sound dispersion. Due to where I might have to sit, in many churches and places we go, I don't hear the sound system all that well. We do not use a microphone on my steel. I was thinking if I had a good floor monitor sitting in front of me, all I would have to do to be heard is raise my volume just above the sound from the monitor. Does this make sense? I would like a monitor with a good sound quality without it being too big and heavy.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 27 Oct 2003 8:06 pm

Now I understand. Sometimes I'm a bit dense.

Take a look at this page of monitor speakers. Most are in the $100 to $200 price range. I've used HotSpots before and they work pretty well, but there are models on that page from JBL, Fender, Peavey, and other reputable brands. The HotSpot can be mounted on the floor or on a mic stand and has a volume control right on the cabinet.

Hope this helps.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps