Active Monitors

[T. Alan Smith]

Anybody employing active monitors as their rig? I've been looking at the QSC K8 to run my loops into for my small scale gigs. I've looked at similar models from JBL & Peavey as well. How's it work out for you? ...in comparison to your regular bass guitar rig?

[KJung]

Once you get a preamp to drive them, it doesn't really make much sense to me versus a cab optimized for bass and a micro head. They are typically not voiced optimally for bass guitar (especially up top... usually way to bright with no horn attenuator), and they are typically quite heavy.

IMO, if you are looking for a bit of a more smooth, more hi fi voicing, a full range, multiway cab like the Audiokinesis Thunderchild or LDS 12/6/1 and a small micro head would probably be the way to go.

IMO there, and only a couple IME situations playing out of powered monitor and PA speakers in a music store setting.... so 'take it with a grain of salt rule applies'

[T. Alan Smith]

Thanks, as usual , for your input. I'd rather have a 2nd bass guitar rig, but I'm trying to be more practical for the situation I'm in. The plan is to run my bass guitar into my looper, the live signal would go my my LMII/HT112 rig and the loops would get sent to the 2nd rig. My gigs are pretty small scale(cafe-type) and my overall goal is to get more clarity in the bass parts. I feel separating the live part from the looped layers would be a step in the right direction. Going with something with a more balanced response(as opposed to a hyped hi-fi response) would be another step in the right direction.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by T. Alan Smith

Thanks, as usual , for your input. I'd rather have a 2nd bass guitar rig, but I'm trying to be more practical for the situation I'm in. The plan is to run my bass guitar into my looper, the live signal would go my my LMII/HT112 rig and the loops would get sent to the 2nd rig. My gigs are pretty small scale(cafe-type) and my overall goal is to get more clarity in the bass parts. I feel separating the live part from the looped layers would be a step in the right direction. Going with something with a more balanced response(as opposed to a hyped hi-fi response) would be another step in the right direction.

For that context, that makes total sense. Cool idea.

[Thunderthumbs73]

Originally Posted by T. Alan Smith

Anybody employing active monitors as their rig? I've been looking at the QSC K8 to run my loops into for my small scale gigs. I've looked at similar models from JBL & Peavey as well. How's it work out for you? ...in comparison to your regular bass guitar rig?

I've gigged with the K8s in a band and also used them when running sound for other bands. Nice units. For bass guitar uses, the 1000 watt rating (of course) doesn't feel like 1000 watts when I ran my active Stingray directly into one just to try, but perhaps for small scale gigs...

I also really like the construction of the K8 and the gig bag that you can get for them. Seems like a quality, well-thought out product through and through.

[T. Alan Smith]

Originally Posted by Thunderthumbs73

I also really like the construction of the K8 and the gig bag that you can get for them. Seems like a quality, well-thought out product through and through.

...and that's why they've made the top of my list for active monitors. Well, that and all the positive feedback I've read from trustworthy people(most of which aren't bass guitar players). Also, going with a 2nd bass guitar rig could double my cost. Thanks for your feedback on the K8.

[Jeff Scott]

I have a pair of K10s for my PA, they sound great but I usually use KSubs with them. Solo you should be fine with the K8s if you use the DEEP™ setting.

[T. Alan Smith]

Originally Posted by Jeff Scott

I have a pair of K10s for my PA, they sound great but I usually use KSubs with them. Solo you should be fine with the K8s if you use the DEEP™ setting.

Thanks for the input. I'd love to add the sub but it seems awfully pricy.