Considering adding a QSC K181 Subwoofer

bluesbass99 · #1 09-22-2011, 07:43 AM

The PA currently consists of the following:
- Allen & Heath MixWizard 16:2 Board
- QSC RMX 1450 & 2400 Power Amplifiers
- 2 Yamaha S115V Speakers
My bass equipment is an Ampeg 810 with a SVT-CL amp. We have keys, guitar, sax, drums.

Currently, only the sax, vocals and bass drum are run through the PA. I'm considering adding a QSC K181 sub. How much of a difference would that make to our live sound? I don't think I would be running the bass through it since my rig is powerful enough already.

The venues include smaller clubs, weddings, etc.

This equipment is expensive, but if it makes the band sound that much better, I'm willing to invest. On the other hand, if it would make only a marginal difference in the sound quality, then I'll keep my money and use what I have. Secondly, would one QSC K181 do the job, or do I need two subs?

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

MNAirHead · #2 09-22-2011, 10:12 AM

Unless everyone is through the pa it may not make money sense

If you guys are making 100/person (example) you're adding ~$1000+ gear for a bass drum

If playing smaller bars etc, it may not make sense

MNAirHead · #3 09-22-2011, 10:13 AM

My trio uses subs. Were all iem and direct. The entire band is controlled by the pa system

seanm · #4 09-22-2011, 10:07 PM

I was thinking of getting a sub too. But I have decided not to for now. The band is really happy with the sound, and a sub is one more thing to load in/out, one more thing to connect, one more thing to worry about.

I know it would help a bit (a different band used subs and they sounded great for the kick/bass), but not enough to justify the cost and hassle.

P.S. If you do get a sub, try running the bass through it.

P.P.S. Nice setup by the way. Much nicer than what we use.

walterw · #5 09-23-2011, 12:31 AM

a real sub or two (or four) is a fine thing! it lets you cross the lows out of your top boxes, making them cleaner and stronger, and just makes the band sound bigger, even at the same volume.

you'll have added headroom that will let you put more of the band in the PA and back down the stage volume, which will also improve the sound out front.

if you're at least doing weddings, you need a fat enough sound to get folks to dance, so you need subs.

musicman7722 · #6 09-23-2011, 05:45 AM

With the Miz Wiz you could use an aux out to feed the sub on its own and just pump the bass, kick and other parts of the drums and maybe keys. No voice no guitars. This will really clean up your sound AND when you need more oomph from the low instrumnets just turn up the sub or vice verse.

Chris

Medford Bassman · #7 09-23-2011, 06:41 AM

I run sound for my band. I use a bass monitor on stage instead of a giant amp and I run all instruments through the PA. I find the mix is much cleaner for the audience because it's easier for mento mix everything at the board rather than mixing some signal through the board then trying to adjust amp levels from the stage. I have found generally the quieter the stage volume the better the FOH sound IMO

Medford Bassman · #8 09-23-2011, 06:41 AM

So i like subs for that reason

TimmyP · #9 09-25-2011, 11:53 PM

Only the kick drum would benefit.

I'm not impressed with the QSC - neither low nor clean - and that was at a nominal volume level.

MNAirHead · #10 09-26-2011, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Medford Bassman

I run sound for my band. I use a bass monitor on stage instead of a giant amp and I run all instruments through the PA. I find the mix is much cleaner for the audience because it's easier for mento mix everything at the board rather than mixing some signal through the board then trying to adjust amp levels from the stage. I have found generally the quieter the stage volume the better the FOH sound IMO

Ditto