How to Perfect Your Harmonies and Elevate Your Band's Sound

Gig Gab - The Working Musician's Podcast

This week on Gig Gab, guest co-host Daniel East joins Dave Hamilton for a deep dive into the art of harmonies and the essentials of live sound. You’ll discover how to add harmonies to your band by honing in on the timbre of each singer and experimenting in real-time with just a guitar or piano. Whether you’re aiming for the Eagles’ perfection in a gymnasium or channeling the Bee Gees on a couch, nailing harmonies means knowing when to start and stop, as well as understanding if your lead singer naturally veers sharp or flat. Always Be Performing by ensuring your harmonies elevate the lead, not overshadow it.

When it comes to miking and mixing drums in small to medium clubs, balance is key. Start with a well-balanced stage sound and tweak from there—pulling out some midrange from the toms can prevent them from overpowering the mix. The gear talk doesn’t stop there; from the Stage Ninja MIC-12-CB Gooseneck Mic Clamp to the Yamaha TF-Rack, and even the Zoom H1 XLR Portable Digital Recorder, Dave and Dan cover the tools that keep your setup sharp. Whether you’re fine-tuning your instruments or your sound, remember: Always Be Performing.

• 00:00:00 Gig Gab 445 – Monday, September 2nd, 2024
  • September 2nd: National Blueberry Popsicle Day
• 00:01:51 Guest Co-host: Daniel East
• 00:03:09 Brian-How do you add harmonies to your band?
  • Approaching harmonies
  • Be aware of the timbre of singers
  • Get into a room with just a guitar or piano and sing into the air. How does it sound?
  • Beegees on a couch…and crushing those vocals!
  • The Eagles Singing in a Gymnasium, so perfectly!
  • Learn whether the lead singer naturally sings sharp or flat
  • Harmony vocals verses Background Vocals
  • Start harmonies after, end them before the lead
• 00:27:58 Ted-Best way to mic and mix drums in a small or medium club?
  • First: make it sound balanced on stage
  • EQ some midrange out of the toms if they’re too present in the club mix
  • Stage Ninja MIC-12-CB Gooseneck Mic Clamp
  • Yamaha TF-Rack
• Gear Gab
  • 00:42:48 PreSonus Quantum HD 8 – $999
  • 00:49:13 Zoom H1 XLR Portable Digital Recorder – $149
  • 00:52:56 Stage Ninja FON-10-CB Gooseneck Phone Clamp
  • 00:54:21 Shure SM58 …now in all Black
  • 00:55:00 Universal Audio ANTI 1992 Guitar Amp Simulator … with App Control!
  • 00:57:24 Tonewings for Drums Internally-mounted sound-contouring devices
• 01:02:29 Teach your students how to maintain and tune their instruments in addition to playing them
• 01:06:28 Gig Gab 445 Outtro
  • Contact Daniel East
    • DanielEast.net
    • Dan East on LinkedIn
  • Contact Gig Gab!
    • @GigGabPodcast on Instagram
    • [e-mail]
    • Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List

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