by jorge » Thu Feb 18, 2016 12:40 am
Record a set with a smart phone or other digital recorder, from a location out in the audience. Make sure the high frequency compression drivers on the speakers are working, if they are blown, you actually won't hear the macho clearly from the speakers. DJs who don't understand the physics and electronics, especially if they are already deaf, often blow the high frequency drivers. If they are deaf enough they may not even realize the drivers are blown. See if you can hear a balanced sound from the bongos on the recording or if the macho sounds too soft. If the macho sounds fine on the recording, your ears may just be overwhelmed by loud amplified sound. Try to get the DJ to turn down (good luck) and if that doesn't work you need to get some musicians' ear plugs to protect your hearing. Get your hearing tested, maybe you do have high frequency hearing loss already. Practice getting a clear loud sound from the macho while using little force. It takes time to learn how to hit the macho and project your sound. It may take a few years to learn how to get a sweet musical sound with control and without hurting your hands, but it will come eventually if you practice enough. Just you and the bongo, no recorded music, no other instruments, work on clarity of sound regardless of where in the martillo your macho accents fall. Listen to the sound master bongoceros get from their instruments.