Playing Steel Direct with In-Ear Monitors

Michael T. Hermsmeyer · From: Branson, Missouri, USA

Hey everyone, I just joined two new shows in Branson that want me to play direct with in-ear monitors. I've done this before and had good luck miking an amp, but they want no amps on or under the stage.

Help!!! LOL.

This is the closest I have gotten, but I need two rigs and I can't purchase anything right now, at least not over a couple hundred dollars worth.
Emmons D-10 Legrande Pedal Steel with Wallace 18k SC pickup in E9 and Emmons 108 HB in C6; Goodrich Matchbro; Emmons volume pedal; Mesa Boogie Formula preamp and Alesis Quadraverb GT effects. I am using the Quadraverb in the stereo effects loop of the preamp and coming out the "recording" outputs which have special speaker simulation circuitry.

I'm actually pretty happy with this rig, it's very close to the sound of mic'd cabinets. But I need to put something else together cheaply and quickly.

These are my considerations:
An "all-in-one" preamp/processor/speaker simulator/modeler such as the Behringer V-Amp Pro Rack mount unit; The Pod Pro or XT Pro, or the Boss GT-8 Pro. Has anyone used any of these for steel???

I have an Evans DP2R dual rack mount preamp that is great through a power amp and cabinet, but direct it is too bright, brittle and sterile sounding. With a speaker simulator, I think it would work fine. I would have to pull my Lexicon MX-200 out of my studio for effects, but I am not going to have time to record anyway with three shows.
Has anyone tried the Behringer GI-100 direct boxes? They are supposed to sound like a 412 cabinet. At $35.00 each, I might be able to get pretty close.

What is everyone using for their direct rigs these days??

Thanks for all your help. God Bless!!!

Michael T. Hermsmeyer
_________________
Currently retired from performing music in Branson, MO
'73 EMMONS D10 FATBACK, '92 EMMONS D10 LASHLEY LEGRANDE, Bray Resonator Guitar,'95 DOBRO F60S, '85 Dobro 60DS, '95 MELOBAR CUSTOM, 1948 National Grand Console D-8, 1951 Supro Clipper S-6. EVANS, FENDER, PEAVEY,
and MESA BOOGIE Amps...

www.onemancountryshow.com

www.facebook.com/utilityman2000

Darvin Willhoite · From: Roxton, Tx. USA

I play direct in my church praise band, I use an old Digitech 2112 tube preamp/effects unit, into a Countryman direct box. I monitor through a Shure PSM600 wireless system, with custom molded dual driver earphones. We also have Aviom 16 channel personal mixers so each musician can set their own mix. This works well for me, and I hardly know what it's like to use an amp anymore.

My rig is pretty expensive, but you could probably get a good sound using just a POD XT. If I remember right, they have balanced outputs that could go directly to the board.
_________________
Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, a restored MSA Classic SS, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Also a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored Rose S10, named the "Blue Bird". Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also have a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks, and a showroom condition Sho-Bud Super Pro.

sonbone · From: Waxahachie, TX

I think you'll probably be happier getting the Behringer GI-100 and using it with what you already have. I played in Branson several years ago and used a Korg A3 into a Hughes And Kettner Red Box. That worked fine for me. I have a Behringer GI-100 and it sounds pretty good. I like the Hughes And Kettner (Red Box Classic, about $120 street price) better, but there's not enough difference to warrant the extra cost, esp. since you're on a budget.
_________________
Sonny Morris sjm227@hotmail.com

Michael Haselman · From: St. Paul

Excuse my ignorance, but I don't see why you can't just skip the power amp stage and go direct with what you have? You'll be going into a monitor board where you can control the levels, etc. Nothing, IMHO, will sound as good as a mic'ed amp. I use in-ears, and mic my NV112 when possible, but sometimes we just use the direct out and it never sounds as good as when it's mic'ed. You should be able to stash your rig on the side of the stage.
_________________
Mullen RP D10, Peavey NV112, Hilton volume. Hound Dog reso. Piles of other stuff.

Darvin Willhoite · From: Roxton, Tx. USA

To my ears, my preamp sounds just as good, if not better than a mic'd amp. I've tried it both ways and I don't need the amp sound.

I do have an advantage though, my son is our FOH sound engineer, and he was raised around steel guitars, and went to many conventions with me, so he knows what a steel should sound like.
_________________
Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, a restored MSA Classic SS, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Also a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored Rose S10, named the "Blue Bird". Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also have a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks, and a showroom condition Sho-Bud Super Pro.

Michael T. Hermsmeyer · From: Branson, Missouri, USA

Well, I bit the bullet and bid on and won a set of two Behringer V-Amp Pro rack mount preamp/processors on ebay. These have two of the GI-100's built in. I read several reviews and everyone seemed happy with them, of course I'm sure they were all guitar players. I don't think I will get hurt on what I spent since I too am a guitar player.

Thanks for all your advice guys.

I neglected to mention that the monitoring system we are using at one of the shows is the Hearback system. We have two "pods" linked together so we have a lot of control over our individual mixes. Right now I am using a set of the new Shure E2's that they are providing. I will upgrade as soon as possible. I was used to E3's at Church but blew up three pairs over the last three years. I don't play that loud, they just can't seem to handle the bass guitar. I can get Ultimate Ears "Generics" for around $225.00 so I will probably go that route before I drop a grand on molds. It kinda sucks that I need two of everything, sometimes.

I will report on the V-amps as soon as I try them out. Thanks, God Bless.

Michael T.
_________________
Currently retired from performing music in Branson, MO
'73 EMMONS D10 FATBACK, '92 EMMONS D10 LASHLEY LEGRANDE, Bray Resonator Guitar,'95 DOBRO F60S, '85 Dobro 60DS, '95 MELOBAR CUSTOM, 1948 National Grand Console D-8, 1951 Supro Clipper S-6. EVANS, FENDER, PEAVEY,
and MESA BOOGIE Amps...

www.onemancountryshow.com

www.facebook.com/utilityman2000

Michael T. Hermsmeyer · From: Branson, Missouri, USA

OK,
I made a few changes in my setup at one of my shows and I do believe that I am getting the best "direct tone" that I have ever had.

Emmons Lashley LeGrande- Truetone 18k- Goodrich MatchBro- Emmons Volume with PEC pot- (yeah, I know I need a Hilton) Boss RV-3 (for delay only)- Mesa Boogie Formula Preamp- Alesis Quadraverb for stereo reverb and a small amount of chorus in the Mesa's effects loop- Mesa's Recording outputs to passive DI's to console- Hearback monitoring system- Shure E2's or Sony High Performance earbuds.

I know that I could get a little better tone by using a newer reverb unit such as my Lexicon MX-200 and a better signal by using active DI's and a Hilton pedal but I am so close, I may not mess with it for a while.

I will say, for the record, that the $40.00 Sony high performance earbuds are very hard to beat. They are a little on the delicate side and may not hold up all year, but to me, they sound as good as the E3's and better than my current E2's. For the money, they are very good.

My Behringer V-Amp Pro's should be here anyday and I will start experimenting. I may try one of them with my Evans Dual Preamp in front going in. But it will be most ideal to use it as a stand-alone unit. It's kind of a POD XT Clone.

During the process of experimentation, I have discovered what must be my best "Amp" setup to date. My Evans Dual Preamp with it's Accutronics reverb tank attached into the (tube) power amp input of my '79 Peavey Artist 115 with an Evans 15" speaker!!! It doesn't even need effects, but add a little Boss RV-3 after the volume pedal and what a full rich sound!!!

My 1969 Fender Dual Showman is enjoying it's semi-retirement. It hasn't been home in over three years. It's very blessed, spent all that time in church.

Thanks again guys for your advice.

Sonny, where did you play in Branson and when??? Have we met and I'm just drawing a blank??? I thought I knew all the steel players here.

God Bless,
Michael T.
_________________
Currently retired from performing music in Branson, MO
'73 EMMONS D10 FATBACK, '92 EMMONS D10 LASHLEY LEGRANDE, Bray Resonator Guitar,'95 DOBRO F60S, '85 Dobro 60DS, '95 MELOBAR CUSTOM, 1948 National Grand Console D-8, 1951 Supro Clipper S-6. EVANS, FENDER, PEAVEY,
and MESA BOOGIE Amps...

www.onemancountryshow.com

www.facebook.com/utilityman2000

Mike Ester · From: New Braunfels, Texas, USA

I currently use a V Amp Pro with my Carter. The Blackface Twin model is the one I mainly use. I also use another model (can't remember the name, but I think it emulates a Marshall JTM 45) to get a "West Coast" feel. I play real close to the pickup when I use that one. Makes "Swinging Doors" sound really cool.

Michael T. Hermsmeyer · From: Branson, Missouri, USA

Well, the preliminary results are in...

I love these things!!!

For an inexpensive fix the Behringer V-Amp Pro's are amazing. For a basic "amp model", "cabinet model", delay and reverb, I'm very happy with my tone having gone direct. I am using the XLR outputs with the speaker simulation. Bummer is that the master volume doesn't work with the XLR's but does for 1/4" out and headphone out. Built in tuner works well also.

Going direct still wouldn't be my choice over a good amp and mic, but I'm limited on space and this is making setup and teardown a breeze. I'm sure a Pod Pro would sound a little cleaner, but I think I did ok. At one show I also play electric guitar through it as well, and it greatly improved my guitar tone.

Thanks Mike for your advice. I am currently using the "Classic Clean" model. 11-5 modified for steel tone, some delay and reverb. Is there a way to get more clean volume? This setting seems much lower than other patches and I am dealing with single coil hum in some situations. I may have to put my humbucker back in my LeGrande, but I hate to change the pickups in my old PP.

Thanks again,
God Bless,
Michael T.
_________________
Currently retired from performing music in Branson, MO
'73 EMMONS D10 FATBACK, '92 EMMONS D10 LASHLEY LEGRANDE, Bray Resonator Guitar,'95 DOBRO F60S, '85 Dobro 60DS, '95 MELOBAR CUSTOM, 1948 National Grand Console D-8, 1951 Supro Clipper S-6. EVANS, FENDER, PEAVEY,
and MESA BOOGIE Amps...

www.onemancountryshow.com

www.facebook.com/utilityman2000

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