"that" sound

Gil Berry · Post by **Gil Berry** » 14 Dec 2009 11:55 am

I use en el-cheapo Behringer 4-channel w/effects mixer or a small "soloist" gadget for practice. The sound, through headphones, for either of these devices is incredible. (I usually use the Behringer mixer so I can mix in my practice tracks with my steel.) So here's the question: I just can't get that same great sound through an amp - no matter which brand I try. Even running the mixer output to a high end audio system is disappointing. Has anyone else felt this way? Have you had any revelations on how to get that same sound through a speaker that you hear through your headphones?

Gil

Steve English · Post by **Steve English** » 14 Dec 2009 2:29 pm

You might be missing the aural enhancements of the stereo effects when comparing the headphones to speakers.

Are you using a stereo speaker set-up also?

Gil Berry · Post by **Gil Berry** » 14 Dec 2009 2:48 pm

Thanks for the reply, Steve. Yes, I use dual amps with a delay to one for quasi-stereo and also perk the tone controls a bit differently on each amp to enhance the effect. Even if I run the stereo (L/R) outputs of that same Behringer mixer to two separate amps, or to the stereo inputs of a regular stereo system, the sound still suffers. Understand, it's not a BAD sound, but not as good as that coming thru digital headphones. Gil

Bryan Bradfield · Post by **Bryan Bradfield** » 14 Dec 2009 5:43 pm

Mike the digital headphones??

Ulric Utsi-Åhlin · Post by **Ulric Utsi-Åhlin** » 15 Dec 2009 1:41 am

Some effects programs produce a sound that´s a simu-
lation of live sound,a "packaged & ready" sound,
whereas plugging into Your amp and listening right in
front of it provides You with the "raw material"...
but in a concert situation,complete w/ various para-
meters,and from some distance,Your Steel Guitar
might sound just fine...only problem is,You will not
be hearing it like that,since You´re on stage...
McUtsi

Jerry Bull · Post by **Jerry Bull** » 15 Dec 2009 7:54 am

Ulric Utsi-Åhlin wrote:Some effects programs produce a sound that´s a simu-
lation of live sound,a "packaged & ready" sound,
whereas plugging into Your amp and listening right in
front of it provides You with the "raw material"...
but in a concert situation,complete w/ various para-
meters,and from some distance,Your Steel Guitar
might sound just fine...only problem is,You will not
be hearing it like that,since You´re on stage...
McUtsi

I like that answer, it makes perfect sense to me !!
-Jerry

Gil Berry · Post by **Gil Berry** » 15 Dec 2009 9:36 am

Sounds logical, Ulric. Maybe my solution is to put on the headphones so I sound good to me, AND to send the mixer output to stereo amps. Sounds funny, but I play about 1000% better when I THINK I sound better -- at least I'm not annoyed and distracted by a sound I feel second rate. Thanks for your responses.

Rich Peterson · Post by **Rich Peterson** » 15 Dec 2009 6:11 pm

Gil Berry wrote:I play about 1000% better when I THINK I sound better

Ditto. Bandmates ask why I bring my full setup to a gig in a small space, and I just say I have to sound good to myself.

Have you tried setting the amps closer to you on stage? Or running the output of the mixer into the power amp input of the stage amps?