Multifunctional Rig Setup

Lexicon · #1 01-06-2011, 11:19 AM

So I have a couple of bands that I've been playing with and my MB210 has made transporting a single amp from home to multiple locations no problem. The cover band is playing at the band leader's house so I can't leave gear there, but the originals band has a rehearsal space that I could leave an amp at. I was thinking about picking up a used Carvin DCM1000 I found for fairly cheap along with a Mesa Diesel 115 that is also fairly cheap. I would use my BDDI as the preamp. If I ever needed bigger I could pick up another Mesa 115 to compliment the first and the amp should be more than enough to drive both.

So my thinking here is that by buying a power amp I can have some pieces of equipment that are more versatile outside just playing bass. Throw in a couple of passive PA speakers with my small mixer and we have a PA adequate for practice. I have electronic drums as well so that same small PA could work well with those.

I know a lot of people use pre/power amp setups but does anyone look at their gear as multifunctional and use it as such? Just curious.

honestjohnny · #2 01-06-2011, 11:26 AM

If you get the right PA speakers, you won't need the Mesa's.

MuzikMan · #3 01-06-2011, 11:41 AM

Lately I have been leaning this way myself. I already do the pre-power setup but I think I am going to get a couple of QSC K10 active speakers and use them for whatever the situation calls for. If I need more low end I could always bi-amp them with one of my bass cabs.

Passinwind · #4 01-06-2011, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexicon

I know a lot of people use pre/power amp setups but does anyone look at their gear as multifunctional and use it as such? Just curious.

Of course. I even have a 2-space rack for vocals (mic pre, parametric EQ, compressor, multi-EFX) that just plugs into the EFX return of my bass preamp if I need/want to run a mini-PA using my standard bass rig. Works great.

Lexicon · #5 01-06-2011, 12:19 PM

So this is probably more of a question for the Live Sound forum but when running a 2 channel power amp like the DCM1000 can the two channels functions independent of each other? Could I run one channel into a single 8 ohm bass cab and the other into a single or pair of PA speakers? Sorry for the possibly dumb question. I understand how ohms work between a bass amp and cab but am not so sure when it comes to multichannel power amps.

Passinwind · #6 01-06-2011, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexicon

So this is probably more of a question for the Live Sound forum but when running a 2 channel power amp like the DCM1000 can the two channels functions independent of each other? Could I run one channel into a single 8 ohm bass cab and the other into a single or pair of PA speakers? Sorry for the possibly dumb question. I understand how ohms work between a bass amp and cab but am not so sure when it comes to multichannel power amps.

Yep. I know lots of guys who use the second channel for their band's monitors -- I used to do it all the time myself too.

Lexicon · #7 01-06-2011, 12:29 PM

So can each channel be run at a different ohm level? For example, a single 8 ohm cab for my bass on channel one and a pair of 8 ohm PA speakers for a 4 ohm load on channel 2?

Passinwind · #8 01-06-2011, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexicon

So can each channel be run at a different ohm level? For example, a single 8 ohm cab for my bass on channel one and a pair of 8 ohm PA speakers for a 4 ohm load on channel 2?

Not a problem at all.

Lexicon · #9 01-06-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passinwind

Not a problem at all.

Wow! This forum is great! Thank you all for these really great answers. I now know way more than when I started the thread.

I'm big on things being versatile and this is defintiely the way I'll go if the need for a separate rig at the rehearsal space comes up. Having the ability to provide the power to my bass cab as well as the PA will give a level of flexibility that will make everyone happier. Then they can worry about getting the PA speakers

Thanks again!

Robby Hoinsky · #10 01-06-2011, 12:48 PM

If you want to go real extreme, you could ditch your cab altogether and run your bass through PA and monitors. One less thing to carry.

Robby

Passinwind · #11 01-06-2011, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robby Hoinsky

If you want to go real extreme, you could ditch your cab altogether and run your bass through PA and monitors. One less thing to carry.

+1 to that.

MuzikMan · #12 01-06-2011, 01:08 PM

Beautiful setup sir. I haven't been around in a while but I remember that you designed and built those cabs. Great job !!!

I am headed this way myself. I have ditched the preamps and got a little Allen and Heath Mixer to use in its place. Once I get my PA tops there are endless possibilities.