Who plugs straight into a PA?

holllowbody · #1 11-12-2011, 12:57 PM

Bass -> Direct Box -> Mixer -> crossover / EQ / compressor -> Amplifiers -> Subwoofers + tops

Maybe a tuner in there too, but no pedels or effects.

Who has done this and what are you thoughts?

In my experience, this is a completely transperant system that does not color the sound of the bass at all. And, I kinda like it myself.

Passinwind · #2 11-12-2011, 01:05 PM

Currently this thread is about half a dozen posts below yours.

holllowbody · #3 11-12-2011, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passinwind

Currently this thread is about half a dozen posts below yours.

I saw that.

Didn't see anyone using exclusively PA gear, just bass guitar gear.........ie no mixer, no crossover into PA cabs etc.

Big difference between the above PA gear and dedicated bass guitar cabs/amps etc.

Passinwind · #4 11-12-2011, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holllowbody

I saw that.

Didn't see anyone using exclusively PA gear, just bass guitar gear.........ie no mixer, no crossover into PA cabs etc.

Big difference between the above PA gear and dedicated bass guitar cabs/amps etc.

Fair enough. There are many many other similar older threads too, but no worries.

I occasionally go direct to PA. It works great as long as the monitors are at least as capable as my bass cabs, and I have my own monitor mix. Monitors of that quality invariably cost more than my bass cabs did, but if someone else is paying, great. Are you using in-ears by any chance?

That said, I love the sound of direct-to a good PA, especially with my EUB, but my usual solution is to just use bass cabs that sound like PA/studio monitor speakers.

ModulusQ5-122 · #5 11-12-2011, 01:33 PM

At my church we got rid of all of the amps on stage and for a while the bass was going directly into a DI box into the PA. Honestly it sounded like straight crap when guys who didnt have a descent onboard preamp or played strictly passive basses. We now use an Avalon U5, soooo much better.

mdogs · #6 11-12-2011, 01:57 PM

The biggest problem with going direct to PA is not the equipment, it is the person running said equipment that thinks the only way to make the bass heard is to roll off all the treble and most likely the mids too...

dog1 · #7 11-12-2011, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModulusQ5-122

At my church we got rid of all of the amps on stage and for a while the bass was going directly into a DI box into the PA. Honestly it sounded like straight crap when guys who didnt have a descent onboard preamp or played strictly passive basses. We now use an Avalon U5, soooo much better.

I'm with you. To go directly to the PA with no bass gear of my own, leaves me at the mercy of the sound guys who seem to want to go "bass heavy" with the subs. Actually, I do not like subs for bass guitar. They are mud, and more for kick drum, IMO. Not a lot of bass guitar goes on at 200 HZ or below.

I don't know. For me, I will not remove my own gear and just trust that all is well. Let's face it. If you have strived for a particular tone, and bought gear that will deliver that tone, who's to say what it sounds like when it comes out of the mix? And, I have never found a way to really hear what I sound like at the sound booth, while I am on the stage playing. At least with my own rig, I know what I sound like right here and now.

So, how much to you trust your sound guys to have the same ear that you do?

dog1 · #8 11-12-2011, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdogs

The biggest problem with going direct to PA is not the equipment, it is the person running said equipment that thinks the only way to make the bass heard is to roll off all the treble and most likely the mids too...

Right on. That is what I was trying to say.

mdogs · #9 11-12-2011, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dog1

I'm with you. To go directly to the PA with no bass gear of my own, leaves me at the mercy of the sound guys who seem to want to go "bass heavy" with the subs. Actually, I do not like subs for bass guitar. They are mud, and more for kick drum, IMO. Not a lot of bass guitar goes on at 200 HZ or below.

I don't know. For me, I will not remove my own gear and just trust that all is well. Let's face it. If you have strived for a particular tone, and bought gear that will deliver that tone, who's to say what it sounds like when it comes out of the mix? And, I have never found a way to really hear what I sound like at the sound booth, while I am on the stage playing. At least with my own rig, I know what I sound like right here and now.

So, how much to you trust your sound guys to have the same ear that you do?

Well, if I am forced to go direct I always do it with my SansAmp BDDI. I give the sound guy a sound that I want and of course they can still tweak it to their liking, but I normally find that if I feed them what I want I usually get something closer to acceptable.

TeeAre · #10 11-12-2011, 02:19 PM

Sometimes a good sound with certain basses with active electronics.

If you're playing passive, I wouldn't recommend it. Does not mix well.

RickenBoogie · #11 11-12-2011, 02:19 PM

It's a tired old topic, and there are several threads on it, but my response is the same: if going direct works for you, that's fine. But, it doesn't work for everyone. I consider my bass amp and spkr cabs, (and fx boards) to be part of "my sound", so going direct wouldn't work out at all. That doesn't mean everyone should do it like I do, (though many do). Just do what makes you happy.

klokker · #12 11-12-2011, 02:29 PM

I always go direct for rehearsal, we're in such a small space. Always bring my amp/cab to the show though, even in super small venues; want to make sure I can hear myself.

As for the sound, there are some pretty good PA's that I've played through and some pretty bad ones.

droo46 · #13 11-12-2011, 02:39 PM

I played a show last night where my pedal board plugged right into the PA. Sounded pretty decent actually. I love my VT Bass.

Here's the video if any of you are on the Facebooks.
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4Mal · #14 11-12-2011, 03:06 PM

nah. I use my rig as a monitor and just carry small most of the time. For the most part I send a SansAmp ParaDriver to the house. It the gig warrants is, I'll carry the U5. I like having control of my own monitor scenario...

**BLDavis** · #15 11-12-2011, 03:14 PM

Sometimes you just dont have a choice. Like my gig Thur. nite where the house supplied backline amp took a dump and left me with just my SansAmp. Lucky for me that I had access to the soundboard from the stage so I had some control over my sound. But in answer to the OP's question, I wouldn't want to play direct unless I have to.
B

JimmyM · #16 11-12-2011, 07:22 PM

Done it, hated it, won't do it again unless it's my only option in the whole wide world, or unless I get a gig where I get paid well and they insist.

bassgod0dmw · #17 11-12-2011, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holllowbody

I saw that.

Didn't see anyone using exclusively PA gear, just bass guitar gear.........ie no mixer, no crossover into PA cabs etc.

Big difference between the above PA gear and dedicated bass guitar cabs/amps etc.

I posted in that thread about going: Bass > JDI > PA

This weeks gig, I'll be going: Bass > REDDI > PA

I do it when I play acoustic gigs with my singer/guitarist. We're not loud enough to the point where I need more of monitor that the system. I can hear myself fine over the wedge on the floor and the FOH system.

It's also nice to just bring a bass in a gig bag and a DI. Nice and simple. I prefer the tone of my rig though...

Wes Whitmore · #18 11-13-2011, 01:25 AM

i did it tonight. Vt bass deluxe (just got it, and I had one good patch setup) right into the split snake. Soundman said it was great. Its not exactly what you asked, but I like a little color.
Wes

**LoTone** · #19 11-25-2011, 11:05 AM

Geddy Lee does...

Marley's Ghost · #20 11-25-2011, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoTone

Geddy Lee does...

True, but I can't bring washing machines with me to a club gig. It's against building code, I think.

I played in one band where everyone went through the board (electric drums). I had to beg them to let me use my RBI.

I absolutely hated it. my "custom" monitor mix was total mud.

I was getting ready to buy a buttkicker when the band imploded.