Cabs on both sides? Anybody?

[driftingupward]

I recently got a Fender Bxr Head with a Bxr 115 cab and we decided to start doing a dual side setup with that on my side and my Ampeg B100R on the guitarist's side with his rig going through an Acme B1 cab on his side and another on my side so I can hear what he's doing. It seems to be working so far in practices and I was wondering if anybody has tried this same idea. So far we only do the vox and electronic drums (Roland TD-9) in the monitors and are thinking of maybe doing the guitar in the monitors too. Also we don't have dedicated subs yet so the Bass is going to be coming from my rigs and not the PA for the near future. Did we stumble onto this ingenius setup or are we destined to have problems once we start gigging in different venues w/different room sizes/shapes etc..?

[allexcosta]

That's pretty much what every band does with monitors: Hear what everybody else is playing. I wouldn't love to have a guitar cab by my side with the volume control by the guitarist's hand, but that's me...

[Zooberwerx]

I like the idea of running some guitar back through the monitors. Separating the bass enclosures L & R may be necessary if the guitarist is having difficulty hearing you.

Riis

[Popps]

My band did that years ago back before "good" PA systems. As allexcosta says being able to control the other persons volume would be best, but, you can always turn it, turn it around or throw a coat over the front to reduce levels. I liked it way back, also it allowed me to use both of my 2x15" cabinets. As long as you don't fight the volume wars it can actually work to reduce volume.

[amimbari]

in many situations for me I have run into venues that just dont bring enough monitors and use 3 sets of cabs. Especially freebee outdoor gigs!! - 1 cab for me 1 for the drummer and 1 for the other side of the stage with independent volumes for all of them. like you said, depends on the place. I want everyone else in the band to be able to hear me. Since you said you dont have any of that PA gear yet...sure I would do it daily.

2channel power amps and rack mixers make it easy.

[driftingupward]

Well as it's been working out so far I can tell the guitarist to turn down a little but he claims he wants to do stereo stuff and since our PA is mono right now that's the only way for the audience to hear the stereo effects. So last practice I just turned his cab a little more towards him and it was much better, and better for him cause he could hear it better. I agree about the lower volume advantages cause our last drummer was just killing me with his cymbal loudness and now we can just turn the drums down to a comfortable level and his balance from drums to cymbals and everything is much more even.

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by driftingupward

Well as it's been working out so far I can tell the guitarist to turn down a little but he claims he wants to do stereo stuff and since our PA is mono right now that's the only way for the audience to hear the stereo effects....

I'm waiting for support, rebuttals, etc. on this subject.

Riis

[StyleOverShow]

When working with massive bands, either in volume with two guitards wailing away, or more often, with horns, I will place an extension cab on the other side of the backline. It helps keep it together in terms of dynamics, gives the horn players the sense of counterpoint as their lines fit into the bass 'holes', etc. It's a good idea, imo.

[Marko5657]

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

I'm waiting for support, rebuttals, etc. on this subject.

Riis

He’s just messing up the sound out front.

I have my own rant on this subject, but I’ll just shuddap for now. Suffice it to say that guitarists can be a real pita with their stage amps.

[TimmyP]

The bottom end will be more consistent throughout the room if your cabinets are together (unless their phase responses are very different from each other).

[4StringShooter]

When I had two, 4-10s, I used to place them on both sides of the stage, using my Ampeg SVT CL. It sounded awesome. Not, however, as awesome as the gig I used 12-10s. Yes, you read that right....12...10s. Totally HUGE sound !!!