Playing Through Headphones vs. An Amp

[funkStrat_97]

At church, we have been going direct for years using Aviom personal monitors and I have to say that I still hate it.  I tried to get along with it but it just feels totally wrong.  It's a compromise; wearing them makes me feel like I am imprisoned for a crime I did not commit.  Leave the headphones to the DJ's, but for the electric guitar, nothing else but an actual amp (tube or solid state) and at least one 12" speaker will do.

[under13]

I would hate it too, I play organ and I couldn't imagine not having the speaker near me.

[Fenix]

So if you are going direct, i guess you are using some sort of amp modeler, right?

I used to play for a church where my guitar was plugged directly into the mixer. I absolutely hated it cuz i would get lost in the mix when the otehr instruments and vocals came in.

[jlynnb1]

No, with avioms you can still have your amp mic'd, it's just usually offstage to control the volume. You have a personal mixer where you can customize your own mix in your headphones/in ears. He issue is you feel isolated and usually don't get great tone from the mix. I hate it and have expensive iem's.

[funkStrat_97]

yeah.  I do understand the concept of wanting to go direct and if it will make for a more enjoyable worship experience for the congregation, then it's a saccrifice that I am willing to make.  But it's just that the phones feel like you're at home practicing late at night or recording.  I almost feel tempted to show up at church with something like a Rebel 30 head and a 4x12 cab  .  What I'm more inclined to do is get a small amp (perhaps a Line 6 Spider IV 30).

[gtrdave]

I'm missing something...what are you using as an "amp" right now?
Can you put a combo amp off-stage somewhere?

[funkStrat_97]

I'm missing something...what are you using as an "amp" right now?
Can you put a combo amp off-stage somewhere?

My "amp" is an old Boss ME-5 (ancient gear from a bygone era that is praised for its use of analog technology).  It is not the best tool for the job since it lacks any kind of cabinet simulaton and I'll be replacing it very soon with something more suitable (I have my eye on the Tech21 Character pedals or the cheap-yet-highly praised Behringer GDI-21). 

[gtrdave]

My "amp" is an old Boss ME-5 (ancient gear from a bygone era that is praised for its use of analog technology).  It is not the best tool for the job since it lacks any kind of cabinet simulaton and I'll be replacing it very soon with something more suitable (I have my eye on the Tech21 Character pedals or the cheap-yet-highly praised Behringer GDI-21). 

Bru...the "mixer out" of a Bad Monkey would be better than the ME-5.
Just sayin'... 

[funkStrat_97]

Bru...the "mixer out" of a Bad Monkey would be better than the ME-5.
Just sayin'... 

You aint said a thing.  The ME-5 is one of the first floor-based multi-effect processors on the market.  It belongs in a museum somewhere....not on stage.  But for some people (of which I am not included), the fact that it's not digital makes it attractive.  I just don't understand why some people are afraid of technology. 

[gtrdave]

You aint said a thing.  The ME-5 is one of the first floor-based multi-effect processors on the market.  It belongs in a museum somewhere....not on stage.  But for some people (of which I am not included), the fact that it's not digital makes it attractive.  I just don't understand why some people are afraid of technology. 

It's probably a fine piece...I barely remember it...but the fact is that modeling technology is a wonderful thing for those that have to run direct in.
The old "line out" of years-gone-by is just unacceptable sounding UNLESS it's from an old SansAmp or maybe a H&K Red Box.
I've used both with semi-acceptable results.
For $40, a Bad Monkey can go at the tail of your effects chain and might be a simple solution to your problem.

[THE WOLFMAN]

As a sound techie, i can see the need for it.

But as a musician, you lose that "Band synergy" you get when you in the groove.

[funkStrat_97]

As a sound techie, i can see the need for it.

But as a musician, you lose that "Band synergy" you get when you in the groove.

Exactly.  With the heandphones on, it feels like more like a studio environment.  When you just run your amp, you get that "in the moment" feel and I tend to play more freely.  The headphones to me are restricting.  But considering how we like to crank it without consideration for the audience, I can see the usefulness of this sort of set up.