are effects on the vocal mic's. As you know... once the music starts it dampens effects... so they have to be set much higher during sound checks to compensate for the 'guesstimate' of where the instruments will be during the performance.... we don't have a sound man to stand out front and check with all of us playing... so I usually do it but obviously no drums... so it's a real guess on where to set the effects level.

Through and error over the years I can make an educated guess BUT... acoustics of the venue play such an important role it's only a guess. We overcompensate if anything... for us a bit too high with effects is better than a bit too low.

The rarest of all is play one of those venues where the acoustics are perfect, and you really have no need of effects at all.. (talking vocals here). The 1800's Piper Opera House in Virginia City, NV was perfect. You could just speak on stage, no electronics, and the sound was perfect. Played in a few other places like that by very few. I remember you mentioned a place that was perfect, where was that? - JamesJM