how is Sonar?

[definitivedoodle]

never been there, going up there for a show, how is it compaired to 930?

[Sir HC]

Which stage?  They have two rooms for concerts, one small and IMO too live, the other is big venue sized and I think sounds better (though I haven't seen a show there in ages).  Size smaller than the 9:30 for either room, don't think there is a balcony (anyone else know).  Looks to be a nice sound system though.

[sonickteam2]

i can tell.
 
   The larger room, i would say its almost as big as 930, but no balcony, no.  the set up is more horizontal, so the stage is on what would be the long end of a rectangle.  they re-did the sound last fall in all rooms, so the sound is damn good in both really.  the smaller room "they call it the club stage"  is much smaller, but usually has lesser known bands and so isnt usually that crowded.  and the lounge is always open to concert goers to get out of the hecticness of the show (and a good place to keep your bartab as they seem to have more of a selection and less of a line in the lounge bar)
 
  definitely the best place to see a show in Baltimore and i like it more than 930......

[amnesiac]

...and they don't charge $6 for Yuengling.

[Bombay Chutney]

$2 Natty Bohs, Hon.

[paul3mac]

you can actually get drunk there without blowing your whole weeks budget... good bar specials [in the lounge only usually], $2 natty bohs [hon], and other drinks reasonably priced.  Also, there is a fairly large free parking lot right across the street.  It does fill up though.
 
 Between Sonar and the Ottobar, I love seeing shows in Baltimore

[definitivedoodle]

thanks people.

[JohnnyBaconbitz]

I'm pro-Ballmer, too...but the Ottobar >>>>> Sonar.

[MindCage]

I saw Clutch in the main room over the summer and it was a bazillon degrees in there. Made the show miserable for the most part. About halfway through the show they finally kicked on the newly installed exhaust system. So I'm sure it's much better.
 
 The Club stage room is good. I've played in there and it is a bit live, but according to a few friends who also play in bands, it was without a doubt the loudest show they've ever been too. Not sure what that has to do with anything, but yeah you can crank it and still sounds good in there  
 
 MindCage
 Mindless Faith
 Deep6 Productions

[Darth Ed]

The only show I've seen at Sonar is We Are Scientists in January. It was on the club stage. I can't say I was too impressed with the sound there personally. It was OK, but kind of muddy. I've been in worse venues though. If a band is playing there that I really wanted to see and they weren't playing at the 9:30 or the Black Cat, I would certainly go back. The place had a good feeling to it, and the free parking was nice.  

[scottlemuelwilliams]

In my opinion, Sonar is better than 9:30.  First of all, parking is free.  The drinks are much cheaper. The sound is fine in both the main and club stages.  Don't take my word for it, go to a show and see for yourself.  Baltimore is where it is at, hon.

[angelml]

personally i think 9:30 is way better than sonar...there's something about that place that makes me not like it.  and every time i've gone there, that parking lot is always full and it's hard to find parking on the street too...at least at 9:30 there's that other street to park on if the lot is full.  as far as baltimore venues go, ram's head live is pretty good.

[sonickteam2]

Originally posted by angelml:
   as far as baltimore venues go, ram's head live is pretty good.

i agree, but with the Disco Biscuits, Buddy Guy Earth Wind and Fire and WASP (?) playing there, not really too much of a reason to go to Rams Head Live
 
    i might go see the Dropkick Murphy's there though.

[Sir HC]

[soundman]
 
 Okay so I haven't mixed ramshead live or the big room at Sonar but:
 
 I have listened in Ramshead and unless they completely reworked the PA it sucked.  They had the house right stacks (flown) in such a location that they were blocked from being heard downstairs by the balcony.  And on the balcony they were like 5 feet from you, too damn in your face.  So downstairs you have mono, well biased left, and upstairs you are being blasted by the right stack.
 
 Sonar, the little room, it is insanely live.  If there are not enough bodies in there it rivals Fletchers for the liveliness of the room.  Heck Fletchers at least has a backdrop of acoustic foam (fireproof), so that kills some and the did nix the mirrors, but still crispy (and I don't like the new PA as much, dang crossovers with limiters).  Back to Sonar, for djs that room was great with the 4 speakers in the corners you got a great center with lots of power killing all of the reflected sound.  With all the speakers in the front now you have problems.  First, the subs under the stage means that you have to kill lows on everything (I had the 100 hz filters on it all and still had some issues with the kick) to keep from getting low end feedback.  Highs can also be an issue as the reflected comes back pretty strong.  For the FOH sound, it is bouncing off a lot of concrete, not much fun.  Sound, your name is mud.
 
 As to the main room, not been in there yet, but it looks pretty cool, I can imagine that PA (turbosound right?) will sound great, I think those are the same boxes they would rent for the Armory parties.
 
 As for the 9:30, that is a joy to mix in.  Lots of sound absorbing tiles in the roof, lots of complex surfaces to reflex, and a good amount of power.  Sure for some stuff it is a bit lacking in the bass (helped by the extra bins they got last year) but it works well.  
 
 [\soundman]

[Darth Ed]

Thank you, Sir HC, for your very informative response.