How many run direct with no onstage cab?

I tried in-ears but I didn't like the isolated sound. I also didn't like wearing two wireless packs (guitar and EW300) on my belt, so I run direct to the PA and have my 2 Yamaha DXR10s as stereo monitors in front of me. I have the desk send me everything but guitars and blend my own mix from output 2 of the Axe FX.

It takes a bit of a leap of faith to gig without a cab but well worth it once you get used to it.

The reason I did it this way is that I hear what the audience hear and I create presets that sound the same from my monitoring to the FOH.
 
I liked the idea of not bringing a cab to a gig. Setting up my equipment on stage now goes between 1 or 2 minutes maximum. This is great.
I also HAD to go In Ear since that is what's used in the band and I had to adapt.
Disadvantages of In Ears are wearing comfort (at least for me, I hate it). Battery costs of course and the fact that you have to depent 100% on your mixer. If he screws up you won't notice because you're wearing In Ears and even if you notice you can't change it.
In a perfect world where the mixer does a great job In Ears are the best solution possible. In my case playing hobby gigs with mixers muting the guitar for half a song without noticeing In Ears are not as good as they could be.
 
I'm going from to stereo wedges (Atomic or Dynacord) to Custom Art IE. I'm doing the mixes with my QSC TM16 and everything should be alright, and allowing us to play quieter in small clubs when required., and everybody in the band having his personal mix.
I sure have to get used to wearing IE, got custom molds, the rehearsals have been positiv but haven't tried this new configuration live ATM.
Should something happened in the FOH mix, I trust my wife in the audience to tell me, and I'll do the fix on the spot.
I wear my guitar wireless on the guitar strap and the IE belt pack on my trousers belt in the middle of my back. I went for Sennheiser EW572 and EW300IEM and their battery packs, that allow me to put both wireless directly in the charger without having to pull out the batteries. That's 8h freedom.
 
Me and my lead guitarist have been doing this for years. We go fractal xlr (mono) out to our board and then use the aux outs to run individual IEM mixes for the band. IEM are great, particularly for keeping stage sound to a minimum. This allows instruments that need mics (percussion, vocals, etc...) to pick up only what they need and there is less (no) unwanted feedback on stage. IEM also allow you to accurately hear only what you want.

It helps immensely to have a couple "stage" and "audience" mics, so that you don't feel so closed off. We place a stage mic near the singer (facing the audience) that only goes to our IEM (not the mains). This way he can turn around and say "let's play....." or "check out the fox in the black dress...." also, with the mic this way, we can hear some of the crowd noise that is out front. Another thing, it helps to have good headphones. Don't cheap out here, this is very important. You've made an amazing patch with the perfect sounds for the song that sit well in the mix... your headphones are the final thing in the chain. It's cool if it sounds good for the audience, but remember that it should sound good to you too! We use Alclair earbuds. I have the CrankMasters, and love them. Molded to my ears, it sounds like a full PA. Rock solid construction and they sound amazing.

Another thing that helps is to bring your own mixer to the gig. It sucks lugging extra gear, but the benefit is that you will always have consistent monitors. Once you have a mix that you like, it will stay the same from gig to gig. You may also need a Split Snake if the venue is providing sound reinforcements (some venues we play don't have one). This way both you and front of house get the signal.

I've been using in ears so long, that it's frustrating to not have them. Why would you want to compromise and not hear exactly (and only) what you want?
 
iem, direct to front of house. All these points that have been made are great. I love the added stage room, my ears dont ring after a show anymore, I went with the Alien ears fr custom molds, cheaper and better than shure e5's. I cant express enough how important it is to get flat response in ears. I just tell the FOH guys to set my channels flat and bring the gain up. they made to make a small adjustment for the room but I love it. I have tried at different times to go back to a cab and just cant do it. my ears, my back, my other musicians on stage all thank me for it.
 
Have run direct/silent stage for almost 20 years. Wouldn't have it any other way. Fractal gets it done very well indeed! I have had many visiting guitarists approach me and demand to know where I'm hiding my cab or amp. Many are NOT happy when I show them my Axe-Fx or AX8 - after they look around and underneath. Having a great monitoring system (Aviom) helps big.

And I run direct when doing guest gigs. Sound guys rave about it and I get compliments on the tones. Life is good. And keep in mind I'm an old rocker from way back (been playing 50 years now). Old dog, new tricks.
 
I mostly run my AX8 directly to FOH with no stage monitor. We use IEMs. When I play a small venue and can hear the FOH pretty well, I just run direct to FOH and listen to that. When I perform in a larger venue, I still run output 1 directly to FOH but with a stage monitor added. I presently use a Line6 Flextone II XL. It is a 100w amp loaded with 2 x 12 Celestions. I run output 2 into the effects return on the amp and just use it for a stage monitor.
 
Wildwind said:
And I run direct when doing guest gigs. Sound guys rave about it and I get compliments on the tones. Life is good. And keep in mind I'm an old rocker from way back (been playing 50 years now). Old dog, new tricks.
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Well said young man.
 
I use a monitor on stage and thats it big or small gig, the monitor is also used for my vocal and the rest of the band btw i use qsc k12
 
We use In Ears with an Ambient mic on stage so we can hear the audience and all the rest of the sound. The Mic only goes to the monitor sends. However, with that said, I do go direct to FOH but don't like not having a guitar cab on stage because I lose sustain and that feeling of air movement. This past weekend we played a private party in a tent. It had rained, so we did not use any amps and cabs for keys, bass and guitar. I didn't like the feel as much as when those cabs are on stage.
 
I run direct to FOH but I've noticed that on bigger stages the audience standing at front of center stage in between the main's have a hard time hearing the guitar over the stage sound of the drums. Experienced this a few times so I always bring a set of FRFR's with me. set up one on each side of the drum riser. For bigger stages I'll point them out like 1x12 cabs and for small stages lay them like wedges facing up at an angle. I don't really like IE's. I have a hard time communicating with other band members with ear buds in our ears. Maybe if we knew sign language.
 
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My band went to a Bose system and between my IEM in one ear and the 180 degree range of the Bose, I can hear everything fine.
 
We have had a silent stage for 6 years. Super clean look, easy setup, very clear sound FOH and in ear.
 
Dizzy282 said:
Me and my lead guitarist have been doing this for years. We go fractal xlr (mono) out to our board and then use the aux outs to run individual IEM mixes for the band. IEM are great, particularly for keeping stage sound to a minimum. This allows instruments that need mics (percussion, vocals, etc...) to pick up only what they need and there is less (no) unwanted feedback on stage. IEM also allow you to accurately hear only what you want.

It helps immensely to have a couple "stage" and "audience" mics, so that you don't feel so closed off. We place a stage mic near the singer (facing the audience) that only goes to our IEM (not the mains). This way he can turn around and say "let's play....." or "check out the fox in the black dress...." also, with the mic this way, we can hear some of the crowd noise that is out front. Another thing, it helps to have good headphones. Don't cheap out here, this is very important. You've made an amazing patch with the perfect sounds for the song that sit well in the mix... your headphones are the final thing in the chain. It's cool if it sounds good for the audience, but remember that it should sound good to you too! We use Alclair earbuds. I have the CrankMasters, and love them. Molded to my ears, it sounds like a full PA. Rock solid construction and they sound amazing.

Another thing that helps is to bring your own mixer to the gig. It sucks lugging extra gear, but the benefit is that you will always have consistent monitors. Once you have a mix that you like, it will stay the same from gig to gig. You may also need a Split Snake if the venue is providing sound reinforcements (some venues we play don't have one). This way both you and front of house get the signal.

I've been using in ears so long, that it's frustrating to not have them. Why would you want to compromise and not hear exactly (and only) what you want?
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Some good advice here (I like the audience and stage mic ideas.) The extra mixer seems like it's defeating the purpose. Much better for consistent sound I'm sure tho.
 
Direct to foh with iem's and front wedge for feedback / backup in case of iem failure
 
We only use IEMs at one venue (a casino) that requires it. That's also the only regular gig we play that has a sound man. Our other shows are typically in small pubs at relatively low volume, and I'm mixing the FOH from the stage. I don't have a separate guitar monitor, but instead run the FOH mix to a powered wedge (QSC K10) in front of me and balance the levels based on what I hear from it. I'll go out into the room occasionally to double check that the mains mix (QSC K12s) is comparable to my monitor mix. The other guys in the band each have separate monitor mixes adjusted however they want.
 
While I really love the Mesa TC50 going 4CM with the Axe Fx, and have raved about how good it sounds and easy to use.....I'm leaning towards selling it and going direct because of the IEM. Never used IEM but makes sense as wherever I move onstage, the sound will be the same. Also there would be really no point to have onstage volume at that point. I could mic the amp and turn it around, but again, why?

The In Ears I ordered are the Westone ambient 30's which are triple driver and allow outside noise in a little so you can interact with patrons and the band. What is really cool though is you don't lose the low end by doing this as most earbuds that allow outside sound in via simple drilled ports. I also own Sleek Audio dual driver customs that I will try using too(local buddy and his family own Sleek and he made me a pair for free!).

I'm always trying new things and ways of using the Axe Fx. It's fun and there are so many ways to skin this cat!
 
My band switched to 100% direct, silent stage (fully electronic drums) about 18 months ago. We all have high quality, molded IEMs from 64 Audio or Ultimate Ears. Both guitars and bass are Axe Fx...

It's great from a consistency perspective. What I hear in rehearsal is exactly what I hear at a gig... Unless I change my mix for some reason.

Downside for me is that I greatly prefer the Axe Fx thru my Xitones compared to the IEMs... But definitely has benefits.

However, our drummer is unable to continue in the band and we will likely end up with a new one that doesn't use electronic drums... So, we will probably have some sort of hybrid setup in the future.
 
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