Modular rigs

[Laurent]

Gig situations can vary widely.
How do you manage different volume requirements?

In particular, what would you bring to a large open air concert with no PA support and loud band mates - the worse case scenario - Do you pile up every cab and amp you own?

How about the rest of the sound signal and choice of bass?

[JimmyM]

I have 3 amps...for open air stuff without a PA, it's the SVT/810 (rarely happens these days, if ever). For gigs with a PA, it's sometimes the SVT, but more often than not it's a B-15 with two cabs or a Micro VR with a 210AV. The only situation I'd pile up everything I own is if I were in a doom band and trying to make the stage look cool.

I use a little distortion with a VT Bass Deluxe or a Hartke Bass Attack, maybe once in a while some octave splitting, and I use a bunch of different basses. What you use is pretty immaterial, though in a very loud band you're best off with the biggest rig you can stand to tote around.

[Rodger Bryan]

First, I like to estimate what sound requirements will be for upcoming gigs in the near future and come up with a plan for covering them with what I already own.

Since I only do small/medium venues lately, I can get by with only one or two 1x12's and a 500 watt head. (one trip to/from the car) A modular setup makes it easier for me to adapt to a variety of situations while maintaining a certain level of predictability. If I really need to move more air, I would take a post-eq line out from my head and feed it into a power amp and whatever extra speakers I could get my hands on.

If I get called to do something loud and outdoors, there is usually PA support and an acoustic shell behind the stage. Well organized music festivals will often have a backline already available.

loud band + open air + no PA =
Be ready to augment your core setup and start saving for a PA!
peace,
R

[cableguy]

I usually play smaller clubs the I use a fEARful 12/6 and GK 400RB-IV and get by easily. I got tired of lugging my rack/power amp and 4x10 set-up around. I built a 12/sub and in the future will buy a more powerful head so I can go to "11" if needed. My band plays a few outdoor shows in the summer that all have good PA support. So I more than get by with this set-up. I would love a full blown SVT/810 rig but weight and $$$$ keep me from that. So a sansamp pedal will be the closest I can come to that dream.

[RickenBoogie]

I've worked out a great set-up that works for me all the time. One small head, (Mesa Walkabout), and either a single 2x12, (Uber 212), which is what I use 95% of the time, or if needed for smaller, a single 1x12, (DB112nt), or if I really need alot of volume, they pair up nicely, (8 ohm 112, 4 ohm 212), and get as loud as I'd ever need to be. I'm also 100% happy with the overall sound and tone of this relatively small rig. Might not work for everyone.

[Laurent]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I have 3 amps...for open air stuff without a PA, it's the SVT/810 (rarely happens these days, if ever). For gigs with a PA, it's sometimes the SVT, but more often than not it's a B-15 with two cabs or a Micro VR with a 210AV. The only situation I'd pile up everything I own is if I were in a doom band and trying to make the stage look cool.

I use a little distortion with a VT Bass Deluxe or a Hartke Bass Attack, maybe once in a while some octave splitting, and I use a bunch of different basses. What you use is pretty immaterial, though in a very loud band you're best off with the biggest rig you can stand to tote around.

Have you ever found yourself in situations where the 300 W SVT head and the 810 SVT cab was not enough?

Also, when it's going to be that lound what do you do for ear protection?

[klokker]

I've only done a couple of small town outdoor shows, and our band is the typical "classic rock" genre. So its loud but not crazy loud or huge deep bass.

My Shuttle 6.0 and neox212 was more than enough to be heard great out in the crowd cut through the drums etc. Actually had to turn it down from what I thought was right.

Maybe my situation isn't the one being asked about, but I've never had to bring anything more than my 212 to an outdoor show and never had to push it to the max at all.

[Sartori]

Originally Posted by Laurent

Gig situations can vary widely.
How do you manage different volume requirements?

In particular, what would you bring to a large open air concert with no PA support and loud band mates - the worse case scenario - Do you pile up every cab and amp you own?

How about the rest of the sound signal and choice of bass?

I plan on making a second 2x15 for just this sort of situation. Or just a regular show for my doom band.

For rehearsal I use one 2x15 for metal bands.

For the folk-rock band I use a single 15" cab.

Basses remain the same. For the outdoor show I'd not use the reverb pedal I have (my basic sound doesn't include it anyway, but when soloing I tend to kick it on, as well as more distortion and wah) because it would be entirely unnecessary.

[Sartori]

Originally Posted by Laurent

Have you ever found yourself in situations where the 300 W SVT head and the 810 SVT cab was not enough?

Also, when it's going to be that lound what do you do for ear protection?

I know this wasn't directed at me, but with my metal bands I use ear plugs. Always.

[recreate.me]

I am working on being modular as well, so far I am pretty sure i have the cabs taken care of. I have a TC Electronic 1x12, and a TC 2x12, both 8 ohms so I can use 3x12s if i need the power and just the 2x12 or 1x12 for at home or smaller shows. My head is a Traynor YBA 200 which operates around 200w on either 4 or 8 ohms so i dont loose the power, but its a big large (but still only like 40lbs).

I have really be considering buying a micro head like a RH450, or the new Aguilar Tonehammer but well see how much traveling i really do, and if its worth sacrificing all those tubes!