Live show ??

[bassclef216]

Ok..I went to a concert and as always I check out all the bass players gear. I noticed that that he had an 810 cab on its side facing across the stage and a had one of the 10" speakers mic'd. The sound to the crowd was obviously not the 810 cab. I would assume that the big sound to the arena was throough some serious subs hooked to he PA. So, is the mic'd 810 probably acting as his monitor and the mic is going to he board and/or his bass head running direct to he board? I know without seeing it it's hard to know but does that seem like a normal way to run a live bass rig.

[IvanMike]

no, no it's not. Even an 810 isn't technically "correct" as all the drivers should be in a vertical array, not side by side. Perhaps it's his shtick.

[crijan]

Yes, the mic'd 810 was probably acting as a stage monitor and a mic'd signal and DI signal were probably both going to the board. They probably used a blend of the two for both the main FOH PA and the in-ear or wedge monitors.

The only thing that's non-standard for the setup is the 810 laying on it's side instead of standing up.

[Rockmusician]

Every major band runs everything through the P.A. The mistake most non professionals make is that they think they need a a powerful amp and a large cab in order for the audience to hear them. The truth is that the main reason for having amps on stage is so the band members can hear each other. Too often, bands crank their onstage volume to the point that it fights with the P.A. and the sound man has a hard time getting a good front of house mix. The difference in volume between a 50 watt and 100 watt amp is around 3 decibels. Yet everyone thinks they need tons of power. More power will give you more head room and less chance of over driving the amp but that's about it. In an ideal situation, you are better off with smaller amps and running through a P.A. Your sound will be much better and you will also protect your hearing. Look at many of the great bands. Eric Clapton for example, small amps on stage, everything running through a P.A. even when he is playing smaller venues.

[bassclef216]

Sounds good...I thought the 810 on its side looked a little weird but I guess it's his thing.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by bassclef216

Sounds good...I thought the 810 on its side looked a little weird but I guess it's his thing.

He may have it that way so that he can't hear it. Major acts have in-ears as well as multiple monitors that make having a backline unnecessary; 'Journey', for example, has no amps on stage, they're all backstage. If he likes the tone of the 8x10 he may be running it like that to capture the tone with the mic but not have the cab output conflict with the PA.

or he may be totally clueless.

[bound'n'blocked]

Maybe he wants to "feel" the cab...I would think laying it on it's side would make it vibrate the stage a bit. Nice if you are using ear monitors.

My band does an open mic thing every once in a while at a club that has a nice PA. I dont take anything with me but my Sansamp BDDI, and my guitar player just takes his processor. The give us everything thru the wedges and I have to say it's the best sound I've had. Pretty much zero stage volume, just the drums and the wedges.

BnB