Using the volume control
Hi Greg
I saw Mark Hummel play last night. He uses a BlueX lab volume control. I noticed that he uses it in a different way than I had see before ie He uses it with the volume control turned all the way open and then adjusts his amp to get the basic max volume he wants. then he turns it off when he sings to deter feedback. i always thought that each amp has a sort of 'sweet spot" where you want to run it, giving you the breakup/tone etc you want. then you would find the spot on your volume control that gives you that. am i thinking of this backwards? Mark said that he felt that if you don't have the volume control wide open you are missing some of the treble you want. Can you comment on this way of setting up your amp and mic?
thanks
Hi, Doug
Mark's approach is generally correct. If an amp has a sweet spot, it has to do not only with the amp, but with the strenght of the signal coming into it. Turning the volume control reduces the drive level, which results in less pre-amp section distortion in the amp. Whether that is a good or bad thing depends on the amp and your tonal goals. It IS true that a volume control turned down to say 50% or more WILL rob some treble.
Most of the time I set up so that full volume is where I want to be when I solo. I turn back for comping. I like the amp set pretty loud so I can be heard when I want to be, and so that I have some room when the band gets louder - so frequently I'll turn down a little from max even when soloiing if I think I am too loud.
SOME amps add a nice distortion from their power amp section when they're turned way up. It is possible to turn the amp way up and turn the mic down to avoid feedback - at the expense of some treble - to get that sound. You have to be very careful though because turning the VC up much will then result in screaming feedback.