When it comes to playing electric guitar, a good tube amp is difficult to beat. They sound warm, they’re dynamic, and when turned up, they produce the harmonically rich overdrive heard on our favorite recordings. An overdriven tube amp is an intoxicating thing; however, there’s just one problem: they’re loud! If there is one thing I have learned from years of gigging, it’s that getting the most from a tube amp can be a challenge. Luckily, there are a few strategies I’ve learned along the way that help. Let’s turn it up to 11 and learn the science of playing loud.
Sound Is Directional
When tackling stage volume, the first lesson you need to learn is that sound is directional. Whatever is in the path of the speaker is going to be hit the hardest, especially in close proximity. You can get a good sense of this by walking around the room while you play through your amp. Notice how much the sound changes when you move out of the line of fire. Blasting the crowd or the soundman is going to get you in trouble. However, if you point the amplifier at an angle from the crowd or completely face it at the wall, you will find that you can get away with more volume. It will make things less punishing for everyone. This is where tools like sound shields and baffles come in. They help form a barrier between the speaker and the audience that either deflects or absorbs sound.
The Right Amp For the Job
Another important lesson I’ve learned is to have an amp for every situation. The ideal choice would be to have a small amp for studio work and small gigs, a medium-sized one for slightly larger gigs, and a large one for big shows. If you are bringing a big 100-watt amp to play a small venue, you’re bringing with you more sound problems that need to be solved.
For a tube amp to sound good, you have to get it to a point where it opens up. This is usually between 3 and 5 on the volume. If you hit 5, you can turn it up all the way if you desire; it will no longer get louder; it just breaks up and compresses more. Whatever the band or venue calls for, if getting it to that point where it opens up is too quiet or too loud, adjust accordingly in either direction.
If you must bring your giant amp to the show, products like attenuators can help. They allow you to turn up the amp while giving you complete control of the overall output. They can be expensive but are well worth the money if you need to bring out the big stuff.
Watch Your Frequencies
Knowing how to dial in your amp is extremely important. Believe it or not, amplifiers have knobs on them for a reason, and they can make or break the gig. Every venue you play will sound different and bring with it different challenges. No matter the venue, dialing in the sound of your rig to the space is essential. When dialing an amp into a room, get a sense of the space and what it’s giving you. Is it bright and reflective, or is it well treated acoustically with a nice dead sound? This will dictate what you add or take away on the amplifier.
No matter the space, there is one rule that is constant. Watch your frequencies, especially the highs. Highs can help you be heard in a full mix, giving you the ability to cut through to the audience. However, if you normally dial in a bright sound and the room is naturally bright and lively, this can yield physically painful results. These painful frequencies are the quickest path to being told to turn down. If you’re aware of this and learn how to dial your sound to the room, you’ll be golden.
Closing Thoughts
While products like digital modelers are growing in popularity, there is still a huge demand and place for classic tube amps. Yes, the modelers sound good and bring a lot more convenience to the table, but nothing beats the feel and sound of tubes pushed to the edge. With the push for this new technology, it’s getting harder to get these classic amps to their sweet spots. However, if you pick the right amp for the job, keep in mind where you’re pointing it, and dial it in to the room, I guarantee you will find yourself getting more from your tube amp than ever before.
Photo by Joby Sessions/Guitarist magazine via Getty Images
The post The Science of Playing Loud: How to Get the Most From Tube Amps appeared first on American Songwriter.