What monitors are you guys using when running ampless?

**cabrego** · #1 11-07-2010, 12:19 PM

I found I get a better house sound when I don't use an amp on stage. So I have decided to buy a good monitor that can handle my bass and some kick mixed with vocals and keys. I usually use SRM450's when I use an amp, but they thermal out when I run too much bass through them. What are you ampless guys running for stage monitors?

upbass43 · #2 11-07-2010, 08:43 PM

IEM's are the easiest/most successful/most logical monitors

Ben Clarke · #3 11-07-2010, 09:01 PM

Generally, you'd do better with a higher quality (more expensive drivers/amp) 12" or 15" with more power if you want to rely on it completely. Something with a 1.4" or 2" horn throat (not just voice coil, a larger throat) will clean up some of the horn distortion and help keep vox distinct even with that LF in the wedge.

Also, a good birch-ply box will typically radiate less energy off axis than a mid-level molded cab. Something to keep in mind to keep the whole stage and front rows cleaner sounding.

Another approach would be to use a 10"/horn and a small sub.

I'm still on the fence with IEM for myself, but will try some when the time is right.

ric stave · #4 11-07-2010, 09:06 PM

I've been running ampless for a while, and my (our) PA of choice is either the Yorkville PowerMax 16 Board or the Yorkville 8 (10) chnl M1610 Powered mixer/head - monitors are the Yorkville NX series 12 and horn (NX20 and NX12). I have no problem with hearing my bass through this combination.

{Hi, Ben!

}

MNAirHead · #5 11-07-2010, 09:17 PM

IEM.. I have both wired and wireless.

**cabrego** · #6 11-10-2010, 11:18 AM

Thanks for the feedback guys. I am thinking of trying some Yamaha CM15V models. Does anyone have experience with these?

rtslinger · #7 11-10-2010, 11:26 AM

I was using in ear but I wrecked them recently (danm!) anyway I am currently using 4 Bose Sub woofers that we purchased with our Pa system they shake the place pretty good. ampless great for smaller venues but for the large shows I use a amp but just to monitor, because most large shows using the house pa the stage wedges almost never give you what you need to hear yourself RTS

scottbass · #8 11-10-2010, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Clarke

Generally, you'd do better with a higher quality (more expensive drivers/amp) 12" or 15" with more power if you want to rely on it completely. Something with a 1.4" or 2" horn throat (not just voice coil, a larger throat) will clean up some of the horn distortion and help keep vox distinct even with that LF in the wedge.

Also, a good birch-ply box will typically radiate less energy off axis than a mid-level molded cab. Something to keep in mind to keep the whole stage and front rows cleaner sounding.

This is the track I've taken. I use an old 15" JBL 2-way. Don't ask the model number, I don't know it!

I have tried IEM's a couple of times. Great for vocals, but I never got used to them (or got the feed dialed in right) for bass and keys. I have never tried a separate monitor sub, but I suspect that is getting close to just having a dedicated bass rig anyway.

D.A.R.K. · #9 11-10-2010, 12:07 PM

interesting how a bunch of monitors firing back at the band loudly is supposedly a replacement for amps, supposedly making things sound "cleaner".
ime stage monitors cranked has the opposite effect,
lots of mud coming off the backside at the audience.
just something to think about.

rockstarbassist · #10 11-10-2010, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D.A.R.K.

interesting how a bunch of monitors firing back at the band loudly is supposedly a replacement for amps, supposedly making things sound "cleaner".
ime stage monitors cranked has the opposite effect,
lots of mud coming off the backside at the audience.
just something to think about.

Yup. Usually/always b/c they're underpowered and the meh 12" + horn Yamahas you see everywhere with the drivers fried and they're EQ'd all to garbage.

IEMs is teh way to go.

StuartV · #11 11-10-2010, 12:12 PM

In my band, we use Yamaha Club V SM112V speakers for the stage monitors. Bass is pretty omni directional, so we get a lot of bass from the FOH that can be heard on stage, so the monitors don't have to have the bass THAT loud.

At rehearsal, we just use the 2 SM112V monitors for all our sound (still with bass and guitar both going DI and no amps). One Yamaha P3500S amp to drive them. Works fine. Plenty of bass.

MNAirHead · #12 11-11-2010, 12:25 PM

side washes help a ton if you're absolutley committed to not learning IEM.

musicman7722 · #13 11-12-2010, 06:00 AM

IEM first but I own a pair of the new QSC 12" powered speakers. Our drummer uses one of them as a monitor for his Yamaha Electrnic drum kit and since the beastie is 2 channel he runs his monitor mix through the other. His kit is insanely loud at times and the QSC never blinks an eye or thermals. He was using a huge 15" mackie powered PA top but hates it over the QSC. I usethe QSC at rejearsal instead of an amp just go through the mixer into it along with the vocals and keys. I want to go ampless onstage but the 2 people that don't use IEM said they would rather have my amp onstage for the "feel" instead of having me in their monitor. Actually one of them uses IEM as well but still wants the feel.