[Harp-L] Re: Was Loud Guitar, was Loud Harp Amps - now just plain LOUD

[IcemanLE@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 8/30/2007 1:11:26 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, Mudharp  
writes:

Is it a  drag that the trend is toward loud and that specialty harp amps  are 
helping to level the playing field with guitarists now? That's  debatable I 
guess. I'm not a fan of loud. 


Until some class action lawyer gathers the boomers who are losing their  
hearing because of TOO LOUD being the norm for concerts these days, this is an  
unfortunate evolution in sound thrust upon the public, which accepts it as  
"that's just the way it is".
 
One of my missions is to prove "that's the way it doesn't have to be" -  
through the BOSE PAS and L1, L2 systems and BOSE philosophy. It is also the  
driving force behind this company in developing this concept of live sound  
reinforcement. Granted, it is an uphill battle, as 40 years of bad sound  philosophy 
has given musicians a benchmark and comfort zone in which they are  accustomed 
to having sound sound this way.
 
However, once you experience the alternative, as an audience you are blown  
away - "Gee, I can really hear the music  - even all the vocals are crystal  
clear. It sounds like a CD, I still feel the music and I can talk to my -------  
(husband, wife, date, friends) without yelling in their ears. At the end of 
the  night, my ears aren't ringing. Who would have thought....?"
 
As a musician, about 90% are transformed by the experience - 10% are  
resistant, being uncomfortable with such a radical departure from what they are  used 
to as stage sound. 
 
Musicians clearly hear the whole band and themselves in the mix balance  
resulting in playing more relaxed and at a lower volume. It levels the playing  
field as long as the EGO (I'm only listening to ME while I play in this band) is 
 subdued. 
 
Clearly, along with saving the environment, healthier eating  and better 
lifestyle, this is an idea who's time has come -  hopefully.
 
I know that I love playing in this type of environment, as well as  
experiencing live music done properly.
 
For harmonica players, there is no more fighting to be heard. As a matter  of 
fact, you actually sound better when you can play relaxed and aren't forced  
into BLOWING HARD. That smaller sweet sounding amp will do just fine when 
mic'ed  through the system.
 
Everyone is enjoying Smokey Joe's youtube videos - good stuff. However, I  
can't help noticing those butt ugly humongous wedgie monitors in front of him.  
Imagine life without such beasts - stage looks and feels a lot cleaner - more  
organic and less cluttered with "outdated" technology. If we can downsize and 
 make more efficient wireless phones (remember those clunky hand held  
monstrosities from the early 90's?), why not carry this forward to live music as  
well.
 
Unite Now - Save (what is left of) Our Eardrums
 
The Iceman



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