Gigging with no amp?

[paf77]

Can I do some gigs without an amp if I just use a passive DI box and go through the PA system? Do I need a preamp along with the DI? Seems like you'd need a preamp, but I don't know.

[Munjibunga]

It can be done, and many of us have done it. I prefer having some tone controls on the DI, so I like the BassBone or SansAmp ParaDriver DI (many favor the SABDDI, too). I've also used an Avalon U5. I just got an EBS Micro Bass II, and I can't wait to try it.

[groove pump]

I'm looking into a Bassbone right now myself. I've had a Sansamp in my MacGyver bag for a while, but it has no essential purpose these days. I pretty much keep it just in case my rack preamp ever poops out on me at a show. The Radial looks like a much more useful pre.

I think that the literature that came with an EMG system I got for a bass said that their on-board preamp can actually run a signal right to a board or a power amp, but I haven't tried it... and my memory isn't 100% there. While I might be able to pull off a show without a power amp, I don't think I'd be able to get it done with no preamp, especially for my passive J-bass.

[ric stave]

Honestly, it depends on your bass, ands how much 'tweaking' you require - if the sound your bass and the controls on your bass satisfy both you and the sound guy (well, and your bandmates, if they want some bass in their mix....) then that's fine (just a DI),

I ran (for a while) just my bass throught a Shure wireless direct to the PA, and never had any complaints. Right now, I'm going from a G&L L2500 or a Status Stealth 6 thru a Shure wireless to an ADA MB-1 preamp to a PA. I love the sound I get, bothg in the monitors and in FOH.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Like said, many do. Me included.

Passive bass -> SVTDI or DBX mini-pre -> mixer.

In fact there was a thread about it a while ago and there was a lot of votes for doing so and also against .

I'll see if I can find the thread for You.

Edit:Here You go Going Ampless

Regards
Sam

[::::BASSIST::::]

I did it a couple gigs ago, but not by choice. I didnt care for it. When all else fails regarding hearing yourself, having your own rig onstage means you dont have to rely on anyone else.

I've had situations where the only way I could "hear" myself was by pressing my leg against the grill of my cab.

Now if your band all has in ear monitors all dialed in, thats a different story.

[pdubya]

yeah I´ve done heaps of that.

u just gotta make sure that u r playing with a big enough soundsystem and decent foldbacks.your soundguy will love you.

www.myspace.com/dubthemagicdragon

[JohnMCA72]

All the time & I love it! It sure makes my rig a lot smaller, lighter, easier to deal with, etc. If the PA can support it (including monitors, which is where problems most often happen) then I can't come up with any reasonable reason not to let the PA do everything.

I figure it this way: On stage, I'm in no position to tell what sounds good or bad out in the house. Whatever I might dial up to sound some particular way through my rig onstage is going to be changed both FOH & in the monitors anyway, so what's the point of getting all obsessive/compulsive about it? I try to give the cleanest sound I can to the PA, which means nothing but tuner ahead of the DI.

Live music is a team sport, & like any team sport you have to have communication & trust among players. That includes those who operate sound, lights, etc. When you do it right it's a lot easier because everybody only has one job to worry about. Full attention can be paid to doing that one job well.

JM