Festival Gig With a 115 and PA

Russell L · #1 10-06-2011, 08:56 AM

Heh, well, I'm gonna just take my Markbass Little Mark III and Traveler 151P cab. I'll run it through the PA, too. We're playing in a park about the size of two city blocks on a large stage with no walls behind it. I might wish I had more, but I'll get by, I think. (Thought I'd put this in "Amps" so I could relate how the rig worked). I'll let yas know tomorrow how it went with that set-up. I'll also be playing my American Jazz with Chromes. Dunno how big the crowd will be, but it's for the Leukemia Foundation and free to the general public (we will get paid, yes). They'll have a walk after the first set and we'll come back for a half set afterwards. That's it. Probably won't be there but about three hours all together.

Wish I didn't have to work the day job all day, too, today. Argh. Cheers, ya'll.

JimmyM · #2 10-06-2011, 10:14 AM

I've done arenas and huge outdoor gigs with a 25w B-15N and a single 115 cab. As long as you can hear yourself, you're golden.

will33 · #3 10-06-2011, 10:21 AM

Depending on the PA you might be just fine. I did a gig similair last weekend with just my 210 which I aimed squarely at my drummer. Heard myself just fine from wash from subs, sidefills and my cab. These guys were running big 215+horn sidefills one of which was about 6-8 feet to my right.

runmikeyrun · #4 10-06-2011, 12:27 PM

if they have any sort of decent PA there will be a monitor system. If so, you should hear yourself just fine. If you're really worried about hearing the amp, take something to set the amp up on top of and/or tilt it back.

Russell L · #5 10-06-2011, 01:11 PM

Yeah, thought about taking a little table that's in my office. Either that or find a case at the gig to set my cab on. Actually, I'm not sure if we're using our PA or if there's something supplied (I'm not usually so uninformed). I think I'll get by, though. I've done this sort of thing with my old Trace 200w 115 combo and did ok. Depends on stage volume and monitors. But, as Jimmy said, as long as I can hear myself, I'm good. This particular band can get loud, though (drives me nuts), but it's not the one with the overly loud drummer from hell who gets eq'd deeper than anyone, and who is louder than the whole band (I dunno what's wrong with that band leader). This band is kinda tame, so I think it'll be fine.

Can't wait to get my extra 151P cab. Maybe in a couple of months, dunno yet. Two 15s will be nice.

Gearhead17 · #6 10-06-2011, 10:38 PM

One way to squeeze out extra oomph from a small setup is to roll everything below 150hz down a bunch. Or just take the bass knob and decrease it. Subwoofers at festival gigs are usually booming pretty good and you will hear the low end from there.

Russell L · #7 10-07-2011, 06:26 AM

I did keep the lows at a minimum, yes.

It went well. I had no problem hearing myself. The PA was not big, but had two 18" subs with 15/horn tops on each. Just barely enough for the venue and the 1000, or so, in the audience. I am still amazed at the sound I get from the Little Mark III, as well as what comes out of the 151P cab. The only problem I had was that stage volume was a tad high, and we were under a large roof, no walls. That dang roof made everything seem louder. My notes seemed to bleed through everything and caused a ring. Anything in the key of E was like one long notes, no definition due to bleed-through. At least that's what it seemed like. Funny, but it seemed like sharp keys would ring, but flat keys didn't (except for F), or maybe that's my imagination, LOL. Anyway, we could never get all the ring out of the way, so I just had to deal with it. But, I was definitely loud enough, including going through the PA. I told the guy to set me flat on the board and I would run post-eq so I could fiddle with it. Finally found a pretty good tone, but it was into the second set before I found it. Standing out front as far as I could (20') I was amazed at how well the highs came through directly from my rig. That was with the tweeter at half. otherwise, I didn't notice them too much standing back closer to the rig. But, I didn't have to get too close. I had enough room to run around if I wanted in all directions (although that's not me). Never did get around to elevating the cab. Oh well, it was ok as it was. Interestingly, I had some extra competition on my side of the stage, as we had an extra guitar player joining in. he played very well, and wasn't too loud. Nice guy, too. He may join the band, I hear.

This was for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The world champion University of SC baseball team was there, as well as a color guard, and a marching drum corps from Benedict College. Food, rides for kids, balloons with light in them. Very nice occaision, I must say. And I was home before 10pm with some change.

Now, the Queen and I are off to the Blue Ridge Mountains tomorrow morning til next Thursday. I'm taking my Jazz and Bassman 25 to play on the porch of our little motel where you can prop your feet up on the rail and see Table Rock Mountain just above your toes. With drink in hand, of course, heh, heh. I'll be thinking of yas.

Cheers. Ya'll be good now.

rodl2005 · #8 10-07-2011, 08:10 AM

Glad it worked out for you.
Yeah, 'Fb's' can often ring out. Especially if it ain't jazz

Blues Bass 2 · #9 10-07-2011, 04:06 PM

Glad it worked out . I also used a LMII on some bigger stages and had all the volume I needed but it wasn't with just one 15 so good for you . I notice on big stages when you can get 10-15" out in front of your amp you don't really need to elevate your speakers to hear the mids and highs like when playing on small stages with the sound blowing by your legs .

Have fun in the hills , sounds like a great getaway to me .