How much louder should my solo boost channel be compared to my rhythm channel?!

How much louder should my solo boost channel be compared to my rhythm channel?

Hi. I'm in a metal band. During live performances, how much louder should my solo boost channel be during my solos so that my sound "stands out" from the rest of the instruments without at the same time being so loud it overcomes the rest of the band? I'm by no means a noob & I'm in a full gigging & recording band. I've had a few different opinions about the matter, however I'd like to get one with rationale. I'm talking purely about volume and not tone/effects. Our style is influenced by bands such as Dream Theater, Megadeth, Children of Bodom, Pantera, Black Label Society and the likes & so is my soloing. Thanks!!

You should be slightly louder than the other guitarist(s) in your group when soloing. The best way to achieve this is with a multi-channel amplifier, a stompbox with volume control, or rackmount effects controlled VIA MIDI.

Volume is certainly part of the issue concerning getting your sound to stand out against the rest of the band. I'd recommend just a slight boost, (about 10%-15%), above your rhythm level. Don't go much over that or you might ruin the blend of the other instruments within the band.

You mentioned tone/effects aren't part of what you're looking to change to get the desired results. This is flawed thinking. Overall volume is important, but you'd be surprised how much a slight boost in the midrange of your guitar tone will affect the perceived volume of your lead sound.

Not adjusting guitar tone is a mistake many make when trying to get above the din of a loud rock band. Tonal difference will fill out the spectrum of sound between the rhythm guitar and lead guitar during a solo.

Think about it like cooking chili; Let's say the chili is bland so you add some red pepper. Red pepper is hot and it helps spice the dish up, but it still isn't right so you add some more red pepper. You taste again but it still isn't right, you add more red pepper... Are you catching on yet? Simply adding more of the same ingredients will eventually ruin the dish, or the sound in this case. Just boosting volume alone will ruin the tonal blend of the band, unless you add other things to the mixture; different EQ settings, reverb, delay, chorus, etc.

Try your tones and volume out at rehearsal/gig levels and see how everything mixes live with your band. Adjust them at this level as well, (guitar amps and cabs don't sound the same at 1 as they do at 8). This will help you get a clearer picture of your actual sound.

I hope you found my advice helpful. BTW, good influences there. I'm a big DT fan myself!