Using KRK Rokit 5's for bass - potential probs?

mrjameskent · #1 01-16-2009, 10:02 AM

Hi all,

I'm going to be using my Rokit 5s as my monitoring/practise speakers for my bass, going direct into Ableton Live via a Pod XT.

I use them a lot for dance music so do a lot of synthesised/sampled bass, but want to check if there is anything I should be aware of for using them as I've described above - this is my first instance of using them like this.

When doing my electronic music I always put an Ableton Saturator (set to work as a limiter) on the master channel to catch any spikes, and when mixing down roll off any sub-40hz freqs on bass channels.

any advice would be appreciated, don't want to have to buy a seperate amp and don't want to blow up my Rokits

Also, just seen another post - is it possible/'safe' to plug my bass direct into the input of one Rokit 5 for a 'practise amp' setup? Its a 1/4" balanced input on the monitor, so will that work with a passive bass?

Thanks
James

pearcey · #2 01-25-2009, 04:52 PM

I'm interested in this, as I'm thinking of buying some KRK monitors too, but I'm not sure if the RKT5s will give good enough bass (and would rather buy the 6s or 8s than a separate woofer). Free bump...

I wouldn't do that last thing!

acubass · #3 01-25-2009, 04:55 PM

I don't dislike my KRK RP8's. They are decent reference speakers for a home studio. If used just to mix, i wouldn't see a problem using them. If you are looking for speakers to plug into just to hear yourself/practice then no. I would go with the 8's

mrjameskent · #4 01-26-2009, 04:44 AM

pearcey - I've gone ahead using them as my monitors for practise, as described in my first post. No problems at all, I don't push the volume too loud though as they're only small speakers so can 'fart' quite easily, but perfect for what I need.

Toyed with the idea of buying the seperate sub, but already spent far too much for someone just learning to play!

DocBop · #5 01-26-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrjameskent

Also, just seen another post - is it possible/'safe' to plug my bass direct into the input of one Rokit 5 for a 'practise amp' setup? Its a 1/4" balanced input on the monitor, so will that work with a passive bass?

A passive bass doesn't have enough output to drive the power amp in a powered speaker. Active basses can but even then not a strong signal. A powered speak is expecting a line level signal.

kevinmoore73 · #6 01-26-2009, 09:52 AM

I use a set of KRK RP8G2 speakers for practice without any issues. I plug my bass into my Alesis mixer and use the KRKs as monitors. Works great. I would think the RP5s would work almost as well.

Yvon · #7 01-26-2009, 09:59 AM

I use a bass driver di that go in a smal console and then into my KRK5.
I like the sound I get, I've been doing that for over a year. I don't play loud though.
No issue
I will sell my GK combo.

CerealKiller · #8 01-26-2009, 11:26 AM

I run the Rokit 5s through my Line6 UX2 with no problem.