DI only live

5StringThunder · #1 01-23-2013, 02:36 PM

I know that for front of house there should be no issues running
Bass->DI box->sound board->front of house speakers/monitors.
But is there any problem with this? Besides not having a rig behind you. Is there any problem just using the monitors only for stage sound? If this was already a thread feel free to point me in that direction.

Jerry Ziarko · #2 01-23-2013, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5StringThunder

Is there any problem just using the monitors only for stage sound?

Hell no!! If you have IEM's or a nice stage box, it's a great way to go. Back in the 80's 90's I played in an opening act in many theaters. Several touring bands, even back in those days, did exactly that. I did a show back in Nov where we didn't use IEM's but the house wedges. Of course they were L Acoustics that cost about $4K a piece, but the tone was to die for. I played two notes and turned off my stage amp. Having the bass directed back at you is a wonderful thing. At times I've used a QSC K10, and a REDDI for that purpose with amazing results.

tekdiver500ft · #3 01-23-2013, 03:09 PM

That's all I do anymore! I have a great FOH setup, a fantastic DI, decent IEM radio, and outstanding earbuds. This lets me hear what I need to, clearly and at low volume. It also lets the engineer tailor my sound to work with the rest of the band and with the venue, so I always sound great out front. I'll not go back to using an amp and cab onstage unless I'm doing a really small gig where it's impractical to bring the big mains.

seanm · #4 01-23-2013, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5StringThunder

I know that for front of house there should be no issues running
Bass->DI box->sound board->front of house speakers/monitors.
But is there any problem with this? Besides not having a rig behind you. Is there any problem just using the monitors only for stage sound? If this was already a thread feel free to point me in that direction.

It depends on the venue. Some sound guys will not run bass through the monitors. So if you don't bring a bass rig, you don't hear yourself properly.

But I play smaller venues. Probably not a problem at medium or larger venues with better PAs.

two fingers · #5 01-23-2013, 10:00 PM

As long as the wedges can handle it, and your tone coming off the bass is "good enough", then sure. It's fine. Many sound guys prefer it actually because the tone many bassists dial in on their amps (and send through a line out on back of the amp) is AWFUL in a FOH mix.

You mind if I ask what kind of bass and what kind of music?

Medford Bassman · #6 01-23-2013, 10:04 PM

We bring our own PA for the gigs. I alternate between a Digitech BP355 and a BDDI straight to the mixer. I use a powered 15 monitor and that's it. I run sound so I get a custom monitor mix. Less to carry and sounds great.

MNAirHead · #7 01-24-2013, 03:38 AM

Depends on venue, tech and gear

I always keep a small amp with di in the back of the car - - put a plug in the headphone jack to turn it off

JimmyM · #8 01-24-2013, 06:47 AM

I've had people in bands complain that they want to hear me out of my amp and not a monitor, and I do a lot of gigs where the monitors are good for vocals but that's it.

5stringfindlay · #9 01-24-2013, 06:53 AM

I mostly play smaller venues (not like i'm a touring bassist, anyway), so I tend to go through the board. However, the only negative behind that is if the engineer doesn't really know what they're doing. If that's the case you'll be struggling to hear yourself, and you might not sound so great in the room.

SteveC · #10 01-24-2013, 07:24 AM

I only use an amp if I have to. At church we are all IEM, no stage amps. It's awesome.
I do have some jazz/background music gigs where I use a small combo.

tbirdsp · #11 01-24-2013, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I've had people in bands complain that they want to hear me out of my amp and not a monitor,

Might have something to do with the amps you have - I'd want to hear you out of them too!

JimmyM · #12 01-24-2013, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbirdsp

Might have something to do with the amps you have - I'd want to hear you out of them too!

LOL! Actually, back then I had an SWR SM-500 and an old Tube Works 410 so maybe not as much as now

spector_boogie · #13 01-24-2013, 08:06 AM

Last time I had a church gig, that's what I did:
Bass -> pedalboard -> DI -> Avioms + in ears

Worked/sounded great. My worship leader had his Boogie 112 combo in the back room behind the stage mic'd up to still get that toane but nothing come through the front.

RichardCranium · #14 01-24-2013, 10:47 AM

I've been doing this for a couple of years now. Works great you just need to have a good IEM setup. The bands I've been in have been self-contained and run our own sound so my setup is always the same I'm sure they're bound to be some issues if you have a different setup or different soundman all the time.

jaywa · #15 01-24-2013, 11:49 AM

I've played most of my gigs since last summer with my bass, a SansAmp BDDI and IEMs... period. No amp, no wedges. Including a large stage in a 1,000-capacity hall and several outdoor venues.

The formula is pretty much the same as others here have said. Good front of house P.A. with subs and plenty of watts (our own), a bass-friendly soundman (our BL), and wireless IEMs.

paganjack · #16 01-24-2013, 11:52 AM

Honestly not my favorite thing to do but it works in a pinch. I never like the tone out of the wedges and when my tone irritates me I am distracted by it and play worse. Maybe when I'm old I'll be sick of lugging my amp around but I doubt it!

jaywa · #17 01-24-2013, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paganjack

Honestly not my favorite thing to do but it works in a pinch. I never like the tone out of the wedges and when my tone irritates me I am distracted by it and play worse. Maybe when I'm old I'll be sick of lugging my amp around but I doubt it!

Agreed that bass out of most wedges sounds bad. So I'll just amend my prior post to say that I only go ampless if I've got IEMs with my own mix. If it's a wedge situation then there's gonna be an amp on stage with me.

Gearhead17 · #18 01-25-2013, 11:55 AM

Too many places I play refuse to put bass in the monitors. NICE monitors are REQUIRED here. Monitors that can handle your bass along with everything else you want to hear is critical. Don't assume a venue can handle this request without witnessing it first hand.

MCS4 · #19 01-25-2013, 12:19 PM

This thread is funny to me, because I've played lots of shows where bass and guitars don't get PA support at all. Ah, the life of an original rock/metal band...

rtslinger · #20 01-30-2013, 11:17 AM

All gigs I go through our PA (nearly any gig you get in Jersey you need your own PA) using only a BDDI and a compression pedal out to two Subs (part of the PA system)