What club has the worst sound? -- Chicago

[smopo24]

Originally Posted by johnS

The Metro sounds ok to me--or at least did the last time I saw a show there a few years back. But one thing I have noticed about the Metro is that if you stand underneath the balcony/mezanine level, which hangs out over the main floor, there is a HUGE amount of bass buildup under there, so maybe that's what you were hearing, dolivas. Funny thing is, that's where they stick the sound guy, if I recall . . .

the metro (sound, staff, and policy-wise) has gone down hill recently. the sound guy is in a cove under the balcony, which makes me wonder why if the bass builds up there so badly, why is the venue so bass heavy everywhere else? shouldn't it be thinner?

[fargone]

over-compensation

[fargone]

thing is... I kinda think bass buildup has been a major issue in most smaller/midsized venues that incorporate subs. I like bass, but I want some semblance of realism.

[smopo24]

i think the aaragon would sound better without the horrible pa system. it was constructed to be acoustically perfect, and used to operate as a ballroom with band and everything. which reminds me....a great travesty was done when the idiots at bloomingdales home remodeled the medina temple into a worthless store. that was where they recorded the CSO playing the music for fantasia 2000, because it was the best sounding building in the city. what a shame!

[smopo24]

i just went to the old town school of folk music saturday for a performance from a great tuvan throat singing group called Huun-Huur-Tu; the sound was amazing! just used a few 57's and 58's on their voices and traditonal instruments; i was blown away. i'm going back soon, hopefully another awesome sounding show awaits!

[Nubus]

Old Town... I think Peter from Baby Teeth does the sound there. I've never been there, but I see they have a nice ring of performances lined up. Why is this in the worst live sound! This should be among the better sounding places in the city.

[smopo24]

it isn't a bad sounding venue at all; i just wanted to post because i had such a great expierence there the other night that i felt like sharing.

[Nubus]

I think there are lots of rooms that get no props cause of a lack of engineering expertise. I thought Sylvie's Lounge could sound great as a room. They put a lot of money into acoustic treatment.

[McLean]

Originally Posted by Nubus

I think there are lots of rooms that get no props cause of a lack of engineering expertise.

I agree with Nubus on this one. The Aragon actually has really good sound if it is done right. In most venues there is a very fine line between "loud is good and loud is bad" It is often a delicate balance to jugle. Another issue for live venues in there is always that guy who gets to the show and refuses to turn his amp down. We understand that you are all excited to play a larger space than you garage, but let the sound man do his job. You can not put a mic infront of a screaming amp stack and expect it to sound good. In that case, the room, or engineer doesn't matter. It would not matter if that band was really good either. If the musicians are all competing with each other to be heard, nothing will sound good ever.

[smopo24]

it's not as if the sound guy can say "hey, i'm gonna need you to turn down if you want people to hear the rest of the band tonight." part of the job is learning how to talk to people constructively; and all too often i've heard of or seen poor communication between band and sound person. someone's gotta give, and it's usually 4 against one; whatever happened to "people skills?"