How Do they Get that Sound...?

berman3313 · #1 06-18-2009, 12:20 AM

Maybe a newbie naive question - but I went to see the Fray show last night at Merriweather Post in Maryland. It looked to me (see attached pic) like the bassist (dont know his name) was using an Ampeg head and a single 8x10 cab.
Now, does the sound come from a miked amp/cab into the PA system or is there a direct out that goes into the PA? The bottom was just so damn present, that it's hard to imagine the Ampeg could push all that air.
Can someone explain to me getting a big bass sound at an arena, larger venue?
Thanks.

GregShadoan · #2 06-18-2009, 03:23 AM

Large PA systems are capable of producing massive amounts of low end. Usually pro tour acts use a DI, and a Mic. So in essence there are 2 bass amps. The important one is really the PA, for the listening audience. The Ampeg SVT is probably the most widley used amp on pro tours. Taking a Direct Input (DI) from the bass allows the sound engineer to use what the bass is capable of producing, that the amp is not. The mic is used to color to taste. IME. YMMV.

JimmyM · #3 06-18-2009, 03:50 AM

I think I see a DI on that head, and I definitely see a mic on the cab. So I think Greg is dead-on about this guy's rig.

Sure sucks they tuck that guy way in the back, though.

berman3313 · #4 06-18-2009, 07:59 AM

Thanks guys for the info.
It does make sense - and it also makes sense to me now about why between songs the chatter from stage was so muffled. Either a bad sound engineer or I need to clear out some wax from my ears. I'll pay more attention at the next show to all this. TB

DeluxeRed · #5 06-18-2009, 08:39 AM

Why would you dump your 8x10 over on its side like that? To make sure you can't hear it? So...if it's only blowing at his ankles, it might not even be on?

Just talkin'. I obviously wasn't there. MTV runs a Fray concert on Palladium all the time; if I catch it, I'll let you know if I see anything.

mpm32 · #6 06-18-2009, 10:34 AM

So it looks good for the set designer.

If you look, everything is low, having an 8x10 sticking up would just mess up the aesthetics. Who cares what it sounds like.

Craig_S · #7 06-18-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeluxeRed

Why would you dump your 8x10 over on its side like that? To make sure you can't hear it? So...if it's only blowing at his ankles, it might not even be on.

It doesn't matter much when you're wearing in ear monitors.

JackANSI · #8 06-18-2009, 11:37 AM

You guys have some wicked sharp eyes, because aside from where the bassist is plugged into the amp I don't see a mic or a DI. But I'm pretty sure they're there.

That thing in front of the amp that could be confused with a mic, is actually the guitarists guitar stand. Its down stage about 4-5 feet from the bassist.

But you probably aren't hearing the bassist's amp directly, I would guess the sound you heard was from the PA.

D.A.R.K. · #9 06-18-2009, 11:55 AM

cab was probably on its side to keep the bleed down in the other mics.
got to do tour support for the fray a few years ago....
nicest guys you'll ever meet.
they are not loud on stage at all, this gives the foh engineer a lot of room to get a good mix.
i do remember them using cab simulator/ di's on the guitars in addition to mics, perhaps on the bass as well.

berman3313 · #10 06-18-2009, 11:39 PM

Great info - thanks! Where in DC are you? Playing any local gigs? I am in Bethesda.

Quote:

Originally Posted by D.A.R.K.

cab was probably on its side to keep the bleed down in the other mics.
got to do tour support for the fray a few years ago....
nicest guys you'll ever meet.
they are not loud on stage at all, this gives the foh engineer a lot of room to get a good mix.
i do remember them using cab simulator/ di's on the guitars in addition to mics, perhaps on the bass as well.