Seperate, dedicated components for a rack

[KingRazor]

Sooner or later I'm going to want a nice amplifier setup that will work for gigging, I'm not quite at the point yet but it could be sooner than I originally planned and I want decent set of gear.

I already wanted a rack where all the components were seperate, but after reading about Wayne P's setup now I'm even more interested.

So I believe I'm familiar with all the components I need: power amp, pre amp, equalizer, speaker.

I'm not picky about what kind of power amp or pre amp I have, Wayne gets by with only 75 watts per channel. With the setup I'm going for I doubt I'd need more than 100, especially if I'm going to be using this rig at my church at all.

One thing I am picky about is the equalizer. I want a good parametric equalizer so I have fine control over my tone. I know a lot of people like active basses for the added options the onboard EQ provides, but having a parametric eq on my rig is plenty for me. The best thing would be for me to be able to send a feed from the EQ to the FOH as well as one to my monitor.

I do plan on using a floor monitor pointed at my head so I can hear myself. I need to be able to cut the low end (at 100 Hz or so) completely out of the send to it.

Another reason I ask is that I'm looking at putting together a similar setup for the bassists at my church. We don't have in-ear monitors for them right now and they have a tough time hearing (they've been using our old bass combo amp as a monitor, but it's doing little good sitting behind their ankles!) and since stage noise is an issue right now I think this would help a lot.

So, I'm open to suggestions. I don't have a particular budget in mind. I'd prefer it if this rig cost less than $1000 but we'll see how that goes. I'm going to do some research but any suggestions you guys have are more than welcome.

[Son of Bovril]

well many preamps come with equalizers built into them alreay, just like the control plate of your average all in one head... so you may not need the separate eq

[KingRazor]

Originally Posted by Son of Bovril

well many preamps come with equalizers built into them alreay, just like the control plate of your average all in one head... so you may not need the separate eq

As long as it's parametric. I'm not a fan of graphic EQs. Also, preferably I'd be able to send it to both the FOH and my monitor.

[Son of Bovril]

for connection options like that I would recommend the Eden Navigator. It has 2 outputs and a very surgical eq as well as a decent compressor. You would still however need a separate eq post one of the outputs to cut the sub 100hz frequencies to your monitor

[KingRazor]

Looking around for parametric EQs, looks like this is about as simple as it gets: http://cgi.ebay.com/PreSonus-EQ3B-Mo...item2eaf36a04f

[KingRazor]

Any other suggestions? I'm pretty new to all this.

[RNV]

You could get any of the Tech 21 (Sansamp) or BBE pre amps and a cheap power amp. They will cover all your needs plus some extras.

[KingRazor]

Originally Posted by Son of Bovril

for connection options like that I would recommend the Eden Navigator. It has 2 outputs and a very surgical eq as well as a decent compressor. You would still however need a separate eq post one of the outputs to cut the sub 100hz frequencies to your monitor

That one looks pretty good. I'd prefer to have Q control at $500+ but it's not bad. It's got a few features I probably won't ever use though :\

[KingRazor]

I think I've just found what I'm looking for: http://cgi.ebay.com/Symetrix-SX201-P...item415287432c This looks like it has everything I need, do you guys think it would work for what I'm asking?

My only concern is that it may only reduce frequencies 100 Hz and below rather than cut them completely. Would I need another piece on the rack with a high pass filter do you think?

[AlexanderB]

There is an older SWR preamp (basically a Studio 200? without poweramp) that has a sweepable, four band graphic EQ. (Adjustable center frequencies but fixed Q.)

The HP filtering can be easily fixed by using a F-mod from Harrison. (Look it up, it is an in-line, passive HP filter that was very popular in the car asdio scene some years ago.)

/Alexander

[WayneP]

Originally Posted by KingRazor

One thing I am picky about is the equalizer. I want a good parametric equalizer so I have fine control over my tone. I know a lot of people like active basses for the added options the onboard EQ provides, but having a parametric eq on my rig is plenty for me. The best thing would be for me to be able to send a feed from the EQ to the FOH as well as one to my monitor.

I do plan on using a floor monitor pointed at my head so I can hear myself. I need to be able to cut the low end (at 100 Hz or so) completely out of the send to it.

Razor, for a parametric equalizer I’d recommend a Yamaha YDP2006. I recently added one to my rack, replacing an analog Ashly parametric and a Yamaha 15-band graphic. (I updated the pictures of my rack earlier today, so you can see it at the link below.)

The YDP2006 is a stereo digital model, so you can use it as I have - one channel for the stage and one for the house send. It has excellent sonics and numerous features, such as 40 program memories, sweepable high and low shelving filters, and 24 dB/octave high and low cut filters. The high pass filters can be programmed per-channel, so it could be used to roll the bass frequencies out of your stage monitor, as well as the house send channel to match the capabilities of your PA.

And you can’t beat the price. Since PA equalization is increasingly being handled by digital speaker processors, the demand for stand-alone EQs seems to be waning, and the used prices show it. I paid about $200 for my first used YDP three years ago; my most recent one I picked up (earlier this year) for a mere $50. There’s been one on eBay for some time now for a bit over $100, and the seller can’t move it. These EQs cost nearly $2000 when they were new, so $100 is an incomparable bargain.

The only caveat, the YDP is pretty deep. I had to use right-angle XLRs to fit it in my 14” deep rack.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt



Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly

[KingRazor]

Originally Posted by WayneP

Razor, for a parametric equalizer I’d recommend a Yamaha YDP2006. I recently added one to my rack, replacing an analog Ashly parametric and a Yamaha 15-band graphic. (I updated the pictures of my rack earlier today, so you can see it at the link below.)

The YDP2006 is a stereo digital model, so you can use it as I have - one channel for the stage and one for the house send. It has excellent sonics and numerous features, such as 40 program memories, sweepable high and low shelving filters, and 24 dB/octave high and low cut filters. The high pass filters can be programmed per-channel, so it could be used to roll the bass frequencies out of your stage monitor, as well as the house send channel to match the capabilities of your PA.

And you can’t beat the price. Since PA equalization is increasingly being handled by digital speaker processors, the demand for stand-alone EQs seems to be waning, and the used prices show it. I paid about $200 for my first used YDP three years ago; my most recent one I picked up (earlier this year) for a mere $50. There’s been one on eBay for some time now for a bit over $100, and the seller can’t move it. These EQs cost nearly $2000 when they were new, so $100 is an incomparable bargain.

The only caveat, the YDP is pretty deep. I had to use right-angle XLRs to fit it in my 14” deep rack.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt



Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly

That looks great! BTW I don't think your link is working.

[Zooberwerx]

Here's a cheap, simple fix that may meet all your needs: Keep your eyes peeled for a used Yamaha PB-1, Ashly BP-41, or similar preamp which offers biamp / xover capability. Run the full-range output to channel #1 of your power amp and backline enclosure. Note: your DI signal will also be full-range. Set your preamp's biamp to ~100 hz and run the HF output to channel #2 of your power amp and wedge monitor. IMO, both of the aforementioned pre's have plenty of tone shaping options and a single band of parametric EQ. An external PEQ would be nice but not absolutely necessary. You'll probably want a power amp capable of 400-500 per side @ 8 ohms.

Riis

[WayneP]

Originally Posted by KingRazor

I don't think your link is working.

The server was down yesterday afternoon, but it’s working now.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt



Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club
Big Cabs Club #23

My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly

[BassmanPaul]

I've used a pre/power rig of one sort or another since the Sixties. Truthfully i'd still be using one if the weight hadn't become tiresome. I bought a lightweight BX1500 from Carvin and I'm delighted with it. I run my EQ flat but the carvin has a bunch of EQ built in and just about all the power you'll ever need. Looking will cost you nothing.

Paul

[pablomago]

I use an Ashley Ashly BP-41 with a Carver Power amp into a 1 x 15" and a 2 x 10". I'm only putting out about 150 watts per cab, but it's enough for my gigs. The Ashley has a single band parametric, but I set it and don't mess with it. Same with the crossover at about 150 hz. They aren't made any more, but they can be found.

Ashly made a single channel one space five band parametric for PA use that could be looped in another preamp. Another option is the Furman three band parametric. I believe there was a reissue, but I don't know if it's still being made.

[gastric]

The Yamaha PB-1 is an excellent recommendation. They're great sounding preamps, well made, and the built-in crossover functionality will work perfectly for you. The one that I owned didn't take a heavily loaded or really hot input signal and they do not have a pad on the input. But you can easily control that with the volume knob on your instrument.

For the EQ, I'm not sure what your necessity is, but generally finding a good sounding preamp or head negates the need for over-EQing your signal. Find a preamp or head you like and you'll likely not need more than the typical passive bass/mid/treble with an additional active mid, which most provide these days.

For a power amp there's tons of them available. My suggestion is to pick one that isn't particularly heavy, which many are.

[BassmanPaul]

Originally Posted by gastric

My suggestion is to pick one that isn't particularly heavy, which many are.

LOL - ain't that the truth?

I bought an Ashley 2000 Class A power amp cheaply on line. It arrived and I made a 3/4" ply sleeve for it. Put the amp in the sleeve and tried to pick it up. I thought I screwed the darn thing to the floor. It weighed something like 80 pounds and I could hardly lift it! It WAS a wonderful amp but it didn't last too long before it got sold.

Paul

[CharlieC]

On a total budget of $1000, you may be interested at what's in my rack

Here's the full thread:

Behringer Bass V-AMP Pro

Good luck!