Controlling Guitar Volume with a Foot Pedal for big show....

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JGarvey
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2010/06/21 18:43:04 (permalink)

Controlling Guitar Volume with a Foot Pedal for big show....

Hi,
I'm a Sonar 8.5 user who has a problem that I thought maybe I could solve by asking here.
 
I use the Boss GT8 effects pedal in my daily little shows around NY and NJ and control the volume constantly with the foot pedal so that I can play chords during the songs and increase the volume for the lead guitar parts only, and then go back.
 
I don't use monitors as I can hear exactly what's coming from my two 12" JBL's on each side of me.
Starting in July, I'm opening for a celebrity oldies band in a 1700 seat theatre.
 
I haven't spoken to the tech guys, and I'm reluctant to ask the promotor lest I sound like I don't know what I'm doing, but here's my question.
In this type of stage setup, I assume that I'll use a direct box to get the OUT of the GT8 to an XLR cable going to the sound booth right? But will this setup change the way I use the pedal?
 
In other words, do the "big boys" I see on TV and in concert ever control thier volume with the pedal? Or, do thier sound guys ride the faders and KNOW when to increase the volume for the lead parts? I see pedals onstage alot, but it doesn't seem to me that the guitarists are controlling thier volume.
 
I'm confused because now there will be a house mix and a monitor mix and am wondering how to do control my volumes for the rhythm and lead parts correctly.
 
Any info would be helpful as the show is just 3 weeks out.
Thanks.
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    Guitarhacker
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    Re:Controlling Guitar Volume with a Foot Pedal for big show.... 2010/06/21 21:11:11 (permalink)
    you should connect the DI box to the onstage amp output.... the pedal will work like you want if you do that.... if they want it straight from the guitar..... have them take the signal after the pedal and before the amp..... same deal. It will work normally.

    you didn;t say if it was electric or acoustic.....


    if it's acoustic the sound guy might wish to take it clean

    if it's electric, I would insist that they take it from the amp output.

    the sound man will know what to do and make it seamless for you.

    When I play I always use the volume knob on the guitar to ride the volume.... but in reality, I switch from rhythm to lead by stepping on the channel switcher. 
    post edited by Guitarhacker - 2010/06/21 21:14:11

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    Kicker
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    Re:Controlling Guitar Volume with a Foot Pedal for big show.... 2010/06/21 21:11:38 (permalink)
    The house engineer will take care of it.
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    JGarvey
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    Re:Controlling Guitar Volume with a Foot Pedal for big show.... 2010/06/21 21:21:51 (permalink)
    Thanks Guitarhacker,
     
    You've introduced a whole new question I have now.
     
    When I play everyday, I plug right into the mixer feeding the PA system, no guitar amp. In the upcoming show, I'm allowed to send a rider next week with everything I need from them. I "could" ask for an amp, but was planning on just going through the house speakers and using the onstage monitors, because, after so many years of not using an amp, and not being in a big theatre situation, I'm afraid of not knowing what the heck I'm doing and from where I'm supposed to "hear" from, ha, ha.
     
    This is so weird because 30 years ago I'd always use an amp with a band, but playing solo through a PA for so many years has gotten me used to a certain setup.
     
    I'm playing electric guitar and opening with "Kansas City" where there is a long lead break in the middle. The band (who I won't meet until the day of the show at rehearsal) are reading my charts that are for eight pieces.
     
    Finally, the volume knob is the way I used to work before I started with the GT8 in 2005 and I couldn't use the pedal. I've since learned how to use my foot very well and in the past had found that using the knobs decrease the effect from the GT8 too much. Someone had tried to explain a workaround years ago, but I didn't understand.
     
    Thanks again.
    #4
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