Will I be loud enough?

Vanceman · #1 05-12-2008, 06:59 PM

This Saturday we will be playing outdoors for a church fundraiser/spring fair. It's a nice size stage and SR will be provided for vox and keys, and we will mic the guitar and kick drum. Last year, I was using my Walkabout 12 combo with a single 15 extention cab, and it was not enough.

This year I will be using the Walkabout head (300w) with a UL410-II. We're not a loud band by any means, playing pop, rock, oldies, disco, etc, and this current rig is more than loud enough at the small bar we regularly play, but I've only played outdoors without FOH one time, last year. Am I going to need more power or more speakers, or am I ok?

Thanks

tomvelsor · #2 05-12-2008, 08:08 PM

a 112 will never be as loud as a 4x10 rig..i think a 4x10 is fine for a reasonable volume outdoor gig.

**baba** · #3 05-13-2008, 07:51 AM

How far from the stage do you need the band to be heard? Outdoor show could mean a large living room sized area or a game field.

When I hear outdoors I immediately think of micing the entire drum kit and putting everything in the PA. At the very least get that snare in the PA with the kick.

Whether your rig will be sufficient really depends on the area you are trying to cover. However, as a rule of thumb, I think using your rig as the primary bass speaker for the audience outdoors (and indoors anywhere other than a small bar) is a bad idea. It just creates a boomy stage and everyone turns up on stage to combat your bass rig. This creates a monitor volume war onstage and the stage sound starts to suck and feedback starts to be an issue as it increases.

Vanceman · #4 05-13-2008, 10:55 AM

I can see where stage volume could be an issue. How about this... put the 410 at the front of the stage next to the FOH speaker, and use the Walkabout Combo as a stage monitor. I have a Sansamp RBI and poweramp to power the 410. Comments?

Deacon_Blues · #5 05-13-2008, 11:08 AM

I don't think it matters too much where you put your amp as bass frequencies carries the farthest distances. Put it behind you and add all speakers and amps you can.

DocBop · #6 05-13-2008, 11:31 AM

Your moving more paper with the 4x10 so that will help and 10's cut thru nicely. I would ask the PA mixers to put you in the PA just in case your stage rig doesn't carry. So you know you have a safety net if you need it and they know you want a little reinforcement if necessary.

If you aren't used to playing on big stage then your main issue will be hearing each spread out more than usual. So focus on getting a good monitor mix.