Playing a big outdoor festival will my amp be enough?

spaz21387 · #1 05-26-2011, 02:47 AM

Im running a swr goliath 6x10 and hartke lh500 and This setup is great for indoor shows but I think its going to be lacking for the outdoor show. any suggestions? Theres a spare 2x10 combo at our practice space which is being ran into 2 1x15 cabs. I do have a spare head Could I run a splitter cable and power the 15s with the spare amp and the 6x10 with the lh500?

perogato02 · #2 05-26-2011, 02:57 AM

What, a big outdoor festival without any PA?
If no PA is available, you need to muster all the power you can get your hands on, so yes to the splitter cable.

spaz21387 · #3 05-26-2011, 03:04 AM

I hope theres a pa but im not sure we have tried to contact the promoter and he hasnt replied we have waited a week. I really hope theres a pa system though.

T-Bird · #4 05-26-2011, 03:14 AM

Hi.

Agreed, a big outdoor festival = BIG PA.

Not only that, they will also have side-fills and monitors and probably a back-line as well, so schlepping any gear should be un-necessary unless You absolutely want to.

BUT

If the PA is lacking or is just for vocals, no amount of cabs and amps You can haul will make that much of a difference.

Speaking from experience.

Regards
Sam

Marty Forrer · #5 05-26-2011, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.

Agreed, a big outdoor festival = BIG PA.

Not only that, they will also have side-fills and monitors and probably a back-line as well, so schlepping any gear should be un-necessary unless You absolutely want to.

BUT

If the PA is lacking or is just for vocals, no amount of cabs and amps You can haul will make that much of a difference.

Speaking from experience.

Regards
Sam

+1.

**JayAmel** · #6 05-26-2011, 03:50 AM

If there's a PA, even "no amp" will be quite enough, volume-wise.

georgestrings · #7 05-26-2011, 06:42 AM

Your Goliath Sr will be fine by itself - I've played some huge outdoor gigs with "just" a Mesa PH610 and a 700rb-II, and no trouble at all...

Look at it this way: they're supposed to have a large PA for the event type you described - and if they do, you're all set...

...if they don't, you've still got enough rig to drown out the drums(and probably vocals), so stacking up more won't help that any... Your band will sound good in as much area as your backline can cover - which really is all you need to worry about...

A quality 610 - which the Goliath Sr most definitely is, and an amp of 300-500 watts truly is enough for any "normal" gig... I play in a loud modern rock/metal band, so I know a bit about volume...

Go enjoy yourself, and don't worry about it...

- georgestrings

Phalex · #8 05-26-2011, 06:47 AM

Most of the "Big Outdoor Festivals" I've played supply backline. It makes getting bands on and off stage a whole lot quicker and easier. I'd check with the guy running it to see if you'll even need to bring an amp.

georgestrings · #9 05-26-2011, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.

Agreed, a big outdoor festival = BIG PA.

Not only that, they will also have side-fills and monitors and probably a back-line as well, so schlepping any gear should be un-necessary unless You absolutely want to.

BUT

If the PA is lacking or is just for vocals, no amount of cabs and amps You can haul will make that much of a difference.

Speaking from experience.

Regards
Sam

Maybe yes, maybe no - for example, use of side fills depends on stage size - a huge outdoor show doesn't always mean a huge stage, also... Backlines aren't always provided, either...

I totally agree with your last bit, though - a huge rig won't make up for inadequate PA in these situations...

I've played outdoor shows with anywhere from 500 people to 60,000 people, FWIW...

- georgestrings

Kenner · #10 05-26-2011, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayAmel

If there's a PA, even "no amp" will be quite enough, volume-wise.

+1

billfitzmaurice · #11 05-26-2011, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spaz21387

I hope theres a pa but im not sure we have tried to contact the promoter and he hasnt replied we have waited a week.

That would not give me a warm feeling.

Quote:

I really hope theres a pa system though.

If there isn't what are you going to sing through? This is the sort of detail that must be absolutely positively ironed out before you even accept the gig.

will33 · #12 05-26-2011, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

That would not give me a warm feeling.If there isn't what are you going to sing through? This is the sort of detail that must be absolutely positively ironed out before you even accept the gig.

Big +1 there.

OP, just bring the normal instruments/amp rigs you normally use, everything else should be provided. If not, it's not your fault.

And yes, get ahold of this "promoter". It wouldn't be the first time someone tried to sandwich an act in a bill that was already pretty full last minute only to get bumped come gig time. This stuff should've been worked out way in advance.

Buster Brown · #13 05-26-2011, 08:10 AM

If you can't get in touch with the promoter.....uh-oh....

I take it that you guys have a signed contract??

Ric5 · #14 05-26-2011, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayAmel

If there's a PA, even "no amp" will be quite enough, volume-wise.

Yep outdoors you gotta have pa support ... even if you run chicken roasters.

Ric5 · #15 05-26-2011, 08:21 AM

Even rigs this size get pa support.

prd004 · #16 05-26-2011, 08:23 AM

A 50 watt 12" combo should be enough for a big outdoor festival, I've never seen an outdoor festival gig without proper PA support

parsons · #17 05-26-2011, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

That would not give me a warm feeling.If there isn't what are you going to sing through? This is the sort of detail that must be absolutely positively ironed out before you even accept the gig.

This is the only thing you should really be thinking about.

A real promoter has immediate answers for these questions.

As already stated, you'd better hope for PA support because outside, there aint much difference between a 210 and 810 if you're standing 50ft away in a field outside.

scottbass · #18 05-26-2011, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prd004

A 50 watt 12" combo should be enough for a big outdoor festival, I've never seen an outdoor festival gig without proper PA support

It depends on how much monitor support you will be getting. No one else in the band other than you will be able to hear what's coming out of that little combo amp. If you and everyone else - and especially the drummer - has decent monitors then all you really need is a preamp, or even just a DI box. If the monitor support is inadequate, then you will need hundreds of watts and multiple drivers just to provide stage volume.

rtslinger · #19 05-26-2011, 09:00 AM

If they have a back line and a large PA you just need a couple hundred watt combo just to use as a stage monitor. I have gone with no amp just a bass driver like sans amp di more than enough with wedge monitor and side fills but unless you know the sound man they usually do not put the bass into the monitors in my experience.(the reason I suggested a combo) If there is no PA,which I highly doubt you will need something with a lot of wattage to push the kind of air you will need in an outdoor setting

Bass_Pounder · #20 05-26-2011, 09:03 AM

Just an FYI:

If you have not played a large outdoor stage before, be prepared to lose all of your low end. It will not sound like you are used to at your favorite indoor venue/practice room.

Do not try to dial it back in either as all you will accomplish is running out of headroom fast, and possibly damaging your speakers.