Why not a qsc Ksub

knuckle · #1 05-17-2011, 07:37 AM

Getting 2 K12's tonight. Had another thread recently on the K12's.

Our band is
1. Me guitars / vocals
2. Bass player, upright / electric
3. Cajon player (drum box)

We're definitely getting 2 K12's but the bass player is all over the place with what to get as far as a bass preamp. He's peed off about the tone of his upright and is contemplating all sorts of preamps.

Now we were originally going to get a QSC 18" powered sub, but due to cost, we're considering the Ksub instead. I've heard folks say that this is not optimal.

But we're not a metal band. Why would a sub with 2 12" drivers not really work? We're an acoustic band. I tend to think it will be fine.

What do the experts think? I'm certainly not an expert when it comes to sound.

Thanks

Jimbob Jones · #2 05-17-2011, 08:52 AM

I don't know anything about the Ksub per se, but I've had great success with a pair of 2x12 subs before; we pushed 'em hard and they still sounded great. Also the 2x12 subs are much more articulate than 1x18s at lower levels IME.

knuckle · #3 05-17-2011, 08:56 AM

Thanks man, anybody else?

JimmyM · #4 05-17-2011, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbob Jones

I don't know anything about the Ksub per se, but I've had great success with a pair of 2x12 subs before; we pushed 'em hard and they still sounded great. Also the 2x12 subs are much more articulate than 1x18s at lower levels IME.

are we really looking for articulation from subs, though? articulation comes from frequencies that are higher than sub frequencies.

stflbn · #5 05-17-2011, 10:05 AM

Whoom Whoom Whooom with no definition vs full spectrum of sound.

I have a K-series PA with a K-sub. Playing just through the Ksub would be horrid.

.

MikeBass · #6 05-17-2011, 10:05 AM

Two K-Subs????
Good Lord.
One is going to be MORE than enough for what you guys have.
Those are some great sounding and loud subs.

knuckle · #7 05-17-2011, 10:16 AM

No no, 1 Ksub, 2 K12s, , presonus 16.0.2 mixer soon and eventually a DBX.

He'll be through the board, not directly in the sub. If I said that, my mistake.

anonymous02282011 · #8 05-17-2011, 10:19 AM

i would think the two k12s will give you all the low end you want.

try the set up first before you go off and spend the extra dough on subwoofers.

knuckle · #9 05-17-2011, 10:26 AM

Sounds good man, thanks

stflbn · #10 05-17-2011, 10:27 AM

1 Ksub and two K10 or K12's is the typical setup.

As mentioned above... 2 ksubs would be overpowering IMHO and you'd need to dial them back on their back sides.

I believe a K-sub has a single 12" driver, but they work tremendously well and even better paired with K speakers. I personally preferred K10's with Ksub, and the K12's alone in Low mode.

uhdinator · #11 05-17-2011, 11:16 AM

You will prob be just fine using the K12's with the "deep" switch engaged. Have run a Roland electronic drum kit thru them with no sub and sounded good.

Jimbob Jones · #12 05-17-2011, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

are we really looking for articulation from subs, though? articulation comes from frequencies that are higher than sub frequencies.

By articulation, I meant that when someone hits the kick drum, the subs go 'THUMP' instead of 'WHHOOOMF'.

**baba** · #13 05-17-2011, 01:14 PM

We use a pair with the K tops and they sound great. Nice casters, relatively light. Highly recommended!

musicman7722 · #14 05-17-2011, 01:28 PM

Yes go with the tops first on deep ...

walterw · #15 05-17-2011, 11:40 PM

tops + sub will always kick ass over tops alone (as long as you don't mind buying and hauling the extra stuff).

one small sub would be more than plenty for acoustic stuff like you're talking about.

the question then becomes, "what if we expand?" if you went to a real drum kit and electric instruments, would you wish you'd gotten one bigger box like the KW sub (1x18", 1000W) instead, or would you spring for another of the smaller ones?

if you got the bigger one, would you want to drag it to acoustic gigs?

all worth thinking about while making the decision.

MNAirHead · #16 05-18-2011, 12:54 AM

I've used this setup...

WE run a sub (not a QSC)...

Depends if the bass has a low B...

I'd start with a deep setting.. then see how much you're missing...

There are other subs that may be a better option.

Munjibunga · #17 05-18-2011, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knuckle

Thanks man, anybody else?

I had a couple EAW SBX-220 subs (212s rated at 1,400 watts each), and they're the best sounding subs I've heard. However, whatever sub you get, you still need to run the bass through the mains to capture the overtones that are the basis of your tone. I play most small gigs in my acoustic trio going direct to the board and into a pair of JBL PRX 612Ms with no sub support. At low to moderate volume, it sounds great. Outdoors we use a PRX 512S sub.

Jerry Ziarko · #18 05-18-2011, 07:40 PM

With the Fat Channel on the Pre Sonus, there honestly is no need for a bass preamp. There is SO much shaping ability with that board and the K12's.

TimmyP · #19 05-18-2011, 09:49 PM

Got to hear the K series 18" front loaded and the 12" bandpass today, playing well known recorded music. I was not at all impressed with the quality. Also heard the 10" top. It would be pretty good if they'd get rig of the very bothersome peak in the upper mid/lower treble.

testing1two · #20 05-19-2011, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knuckle

Getting 2 K12's tonight. Had another thread recently on the K12's.

Our band is
1. Me guitars / vocals
2. Bass player, upright / electric
3. Cajon player (drum box)

We're definitely getting 2 K12's but the bass player is all over the place with what to get as far as a bass preamp. He's peed off about the tone of his upright and is contemplating all sorts of preamps.

Now we were originally going to get a QSC 18" powered sub, but due to cost, we're considering the Ksub instead. I've heard folks say that this is not optimal.

But we're not a metal band. Why would a sub with 2 12" drivers not really work? We're an acoustic band. I tend to think it will be fine.

What do the experts think? I'm certainly not an expert when it comes to sound.

Thanks

The size of the driver/drivers is only one part of the equation so it's of no practical value to say 18's are good and 12's are bad or vice versa. What really matters at the end of the day is how a particular sub sounds when matched with your top boxes and what kind of SPL levels can be achieved before things get messy.

The K12's are great sounding top boxes. The K-sub 2x12 sounded good to my ears at moderate volume but surprisingly bad when pushed.