Building a Rack: Furman, Peterson, BBE, etc

[rumbler]

Hello all,


This may be a long winded post so please bare with me and hopefully you will have some info to help me out

I am now ready to take my dive into the RACK MOUNTED WORLD!!!!! as I have have recently got my Eden WT1205 head with the 610XLT cab. My band starts gigging soon and I am gonna need some stuff, well not really need, but ya know......

First off, a power conditioner. I am going to grab one as Eden even recommends using one, so I would like to have one before our first live show in April. I am going to go with Furman but have no clue which one to get. I do not want to spen more than150 canadian. I heard somewhere that its only worth it if it has a voltage readout, is this true? any tips or models I should look out for? I just need a basic one with about 6-8 outlets and some protection (although I do not want a bottom of the line model)

As for a rack tuner, or even a tuner for live in general. Do I even need one? how often do you guys go out of tun elive? I was looking into the Stroborack if I can get a good deal on it. But I was wondering, since Peterson is so accurate what if I sound TOO in TUNE compared to my guitarist tuning to a boss chromatic pedal tuner?

Now for the BBE. No matter what anyone says to me I LOVE what these things do to my tone, not so much in the bass department but in the highs is where I reallly love it. I was looking into the 362SW whic has a variable sub woofer control as it says this would be good for bass and keyboard rigs. ALthough I have looked at the online manual and it says that plugging a guitar into it is not a good idea because of the level? I am not good with this electronic stuff so if anyone could help me, or if anyone has one of these or recommends another model. I have tried the sonic stomp and 882i and they are both great, but this subwoofer one seems more bass oriented so before I give it a go I hope someone has some experience to share!

Last but not least I plan on running my Blueberry overdrive box through the effects loop. Is this a bad idea? the thing with me is I am a neat freak and do not want to have this thing in front since I will probably just leave it on. Would it be okay for my amps line level thingamajiggy? I was thinking of putting it in a rack drawer or just building a custom bracket for it and placing it sideways.

If anyone has any input on ANY of these ideas please feel free to comment, criticise or offer suggestions.

Thanks for actually staying with me through this long read and I hope some of you are willing to offer your advice.

Its much appreciated!
Thanks,

Andrew

[AlstottMVP2]

i'd always include a tuner. If you're playing live, it's inevitable someone will request something in Drop D, your singer will bang into your neck and throw it, or it'll just go out form playing outdoors/humidity. Or a guest guitarist will be in 435 flats. Or a million other scenarios. Or you'll change a string- anohter major possible. Tuning by ear, live, is terrible form that will get you laughed at (I used to be that guy! lol)

[SoLongJake]

Save your money on the power conditioner, buy a surge protector strip. Cheap power conditioners offer no additional protection over a decent surge suppressor.

[rumbler]

Any other suggestions?


Andrew

[L.A. Moore]

Run the BBE in your effects loop or get the pedal version. You won't be able to use the sub out with only a one cab / amp rig. I use a rack tuner because I play wireless and I can see it form where ever I stand. If you go with a pedal tuner I recomend the Boss TU-2.

As far as I furman you can get the same or more protection from a good surge protecter. Factor that in to how many spaces your rack is and how much space your using.

Ps: Have Fun!

[rumbler]

Originally Posted by L.A. Moore

Run the BBE in your effects loop or get the pedal version. You won't be able to use the sub out with only a one cab / amp rig. I use a rack tuner because I play wireless and I can see it form where ever I stand. If you go with a pedal tuner I recomend the Boss TU-2.

As far as I furman you can get the same or more protection from a good surge protecter. Factor that in to how many spaces your rack is and how much space your using.

Ps: Have Fun!

WHat if I have a two channel amp with two seperate effects loops. Would I be able to run the Sub out through one channel? and for Furmans are you guys saying they are not worth it? I have only heard good things about Furman

Any other ideas?

Andrew

[lobey]

There was a huge thread a while back about power conditioners in general, and IIRC, it just got ugly. I'm sure a search would bring it up.

I've got a lower priced Furman model. Won it on ebay dirt cheap. I mostly bought it because I'm a freak when it comes to keeping cables cleaned up. I also got it to replace my power strip I was using since I couldn't keep it fastened to my rack without destroying it (velcro came unstuck and screws weren't an option at the time).

As for a rack mounted tuner, I'd say go for it. I always wanted a pedal tuner just for the sake of it being a pedal tuner. I'm now glad I got the rackmount one as I'm trying to phase out my pedals (just not happy using them anymore). With mine being in my rack, I don't have to worry about losing it while transporting it, nor do I have to worry about not seeing it across the room. It's plenty bright and at eye level.

Just my two cents.

[bassman1185]

I like having the power conditioner mounted in my case. It simplifies things and keeps everything relatively clean. I would recommend getting one, but if you're not going to drop a lot of money on a really nice one, then there is really not much point in spending over $60 or so for one of the Furman Merit Series models. I have the M-8L. I wouldn't get the lighted version, though. It seems like a good idea, but the lights are a little bit flimsy and they aren't really bright enough to be much good unless your stage is totally dark.

As for the BBE, I have the 362SW, and the Subwoofer control is pretty much useless. I did use it as a sort second DI when my band was recording a rough demo a few weeks ago, though. For a while I tried blending the sub output with the full range with a passive a/b/y box, but it really just muddied up my tone and didn't help with anything. I think that you would probably be better off just getting one of the 482 models. I think that Musicians Friend is blowing them out for $130. I would put the BBE in your effects loop. If your amp does have two effects loops (one for each channel) you can easily hook up any of the rackmounted BBEs, since they are all two-channel designs.

As for the Blueberry, that should go between your bass and your amp. The effects loop would be too hot for the circuitry to handle effectively.

[Geddyfleaharris]

Originally Posted by bassman1185

I like having the power conditioner mounted in my case. It simplifies things and keeps everything relatively clean. I would recommend getting one, but if you're not going to drop a lot of money on a really nice one, then there is really not much point in spending over $60 or so for one of the Furman Merit Series models. I have the M-8L. I wouldn't get the lighted version, though. It seems like a good idea, but the lights are a little bit flimsy and they aren't really bright enough to be much good unless your stage is totally dark.

As for the BBE, I have the 362SW, and the Subwoofer control is pretty much useless. I did use it as a sort second DI when my band was recording a rough demo a few weeks ago, though. For a while I tried blending the sub output with the full range with a passive a/b/y box, but it really just muddied up my tone and didn't help with anything. I think that you would probably be better off just getting one of the 482 models. I think that Musicians Friend is blowing them out for $130. I would put the BBE in your effects loop. If your amp does have two effects loops (one for each channel) you can easily hook up any of the rackmounted BBEs, since they are all two-channel designs.

As for the Blueberry, that should go between your bass and your amp. The effects loop would be too hot for the circuitry to handle effectively.

+1.

I know a lot of people don't think Furman's do what the company claims (and that is a whole other issue) but I use mine as the above poster describes. Keeps everything nice and clean. For set up everything is plugged in and I only have to find an outlet for the Furman. And I have the lighted version but rarely use the lights. I use a Korg DTR2000 rack tuner. IMO you need to have a tuner. After that it is just budget.

Anything I have read about pedals is that most are not designed to be used in your FX patch bay. So I agree that the Blueberry should be between your bass and your amp.

[rumbler]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all your responses so far !!

I really appreciate it.

So I will probably go for the 482 or 882i BBE's

As for the tuner I still want the Peterson but am worried about being tooo in tune if you know what I mean. The Blueberry I guess will have to go on the floor or as the first rack space. I will figure it out. You guys have been huge helps as always.

And yes I saw that whole Furman bashing thread but I still feel its security for my gear, and whats funny is that alot of people on that thread owned Furmans, well I guess thats why they hate them. But do you guys suggest any particular models? I don't want to get a crappy one when I could justbuy a power strip.

Thanks a bunch'

Andrew

[SFjonstarr]

I've never listened to any bass player that I thought was too in tune. I hear a lot of vocals that have all their character removed by auto tuners but that's kind of a different thing. Proper setup and intonation adjustment on your bass will get you further than a higher resolution tuner (although a tuner like the Peterson will up the precision of your setups). My recomendation would be to get a Peterson for home use (they have several smaller models) for dialing in your setups and whatever you find easiest to see for the rack. On the gig quickness in getting back in tune is the main concern.

[rumbler]

Originally Posted by SFjonstarr

I've never listened to any bass player that I thought was too in tune. I hear a lot of vocals that have all their character removed by auto tuners but that's kind of a different thing. Proper setup and intonation adjustment on your bass will get you further than a higher resolution tuner (although a tuner like the Peterson will up the precision of your setups). My recomendation would be to get a Peterson for home use (they have several smaller models) for dialing in your setups and whatever you find easiest to see for the rack. On the gig quickness in getting back in tune is the main concern.

So are you saying that Petersons take too long to get you in tune?

Andrew

[bassman1185]

Originally Posted by rumbler

So are you saying that Petersons take too long to get you in tune?

Andrew

I think that he's saying that the Petersons are so precise, that it will take a long time to get it JUST RIGHT, whereas the Korg or similar tuners are just a touch less accurate (not enough for anyone to notice) but will get you in tune a bit faster.

[SFjonstarr]

Not really, but it wouldn't be my first choice on the gig. The Peterson takes a little longer to use but is more accurate. I use my Peterson for everything right now (I use the VS-II). I'm not on any time constraints right now as I'm going to college full time right now and am not out gigging. I've been putting together a rack rig myself and am curious to see the display on the rackmount peterson. But my criterion for a rack tuner personally are how well I can see the tuner onstage and how quickly I can get back in tune so I can get back to playing and not hold up the band/music/show. Fine accuracy is less of a pressing concern in context.

[bongomania]

FWIW my experience is that on the low B, and sometimes the low E depending on the bass or the strings, it takes so long just to get a "quick" reading on cheaper tuners that there is no time savings at all compared to using a Strobostomp. The Strobo tells me I'm "in the ballpark" on those lowest strings a lot faster than any other tuner, as it gives me a reading right away, whereas some other tuners won't even light up any note indicator if they don't get a clean reading right away.

[bikeplate]

HI

The Furman will work fine

Id get a strobostomp for the floor. Step on it, tune, step back on it. Super simple and fast. Also mutes you while u tune

Rob

[alexgeddy]

here goes...please don't flame me !!!

As for the power conditioner...I think they are mostly pretty much equal.....unless you spend a lot of money they don't detect low voltage, ground faults, or provide any protection if you blow a house breaker....I never got hit by lightening at a gig!!! what a power conditioner is good for is convenience lots of outlets!!
But I have detected more problems with my power strip ( ground faults etc..) than with any power conditioner....

far as a rack tuner....I've used a stompbox in the tuner send and always had good luck...the more you put in the rack the heavier it is!!! I'd rather put a good compressor in the rack than a tuner!!

Bill

[Crabby]

Skip the BBE. Using the BBE with an Eden head is like smearing ketchup all over an expensive prime rib!

[Lonnybass]

Originally Posted by Crabby

Skip the BBE. Using the BBE with an Eden head is like smearing ketchup all over an expensive prime rib!

+1. In my experience, the BBE S/M can make a crappy rig sound really good, but can make a great rig sound kind of blah...

Lonnybass

[rumbler]

Thanks for all the responses bass brothas I really appreciate it!

As for the BBE i thought it sounded great but obviously before I buy it I have to give it another whirl. But thanks for the opinions. Any last opinions on the Peterson? It looks really cool..

Andrew