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“Feeling” the bass

I play at a lot of venues where, 90% of the time, I don't have a bass amp onstage—just a mixer for my in-ear monitor mix.


The problem is that I just can't feel the bass. I can hear it just fine, but I don't get the same physical response, and I don't play my best because of it.


I'm thinking about requesting a bass amp onstage in our rider and placing it face down so it makes the stage vibrate around me.


Does anyone else do this?
Not here. Years of having FOH support where excessive amounts of low end can cause problems with the house mix, and recording work using head phones and or in ears cured me of that dependency.

I will say this, if you are using in ear monitors the most important thing for a good bass sound is a good seal in the ear canal. Custom fitted ear pieces, although not exactly cheap will provide the best result. Otherwise you need to be extremely choosy when it comes to ear buds. IMO most buds that come with in ears are a mixed bag.

Secondly, personally, I prefer more of a low mid boost (150-170 hz) rather than uber low frequencies ( sub 95hz) as it forces me to be more accurate.

Lastly, be extremely careful about your sound level with in-ears. Is pretty easy to ruin your hearing. To start with, you need outstanding sound isolation. That means you want to hear a little of the stage wash as possible when using in-ears. Then, take your time to set your mix. Delete anything you don't need to track. The overall volume should not be much louder than how you typically use ear buds listening to music from your cell phone.
 
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As Aric mentioned I would look into a bassboard or similar device if you can't use an amp. If you CAN use an amp, I'd go that route all of the way. Goose the bass control a bit to get some "feel" in your notes......but for heaven's sake, no need to point it at the floor.
I used to do this at casino gigs where I had to do the iem thing. I brought a small, 112 cab, and bass amp, like the Subway 350, with me and put it on a stand behind me. I used one earplug for the mix and left the other out so I could hear the cab. The drummer really appreciated this as he also wanted to hear the bass as it would naturally sound. It took a little convincing for the sound guy to get onboard, but he finally gave in.
 
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Whatever happened to the "Guitammer Buttkicker"?
7444367_ra.jpeg
 
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I have a Sure kit of IEM and it works perfectly fine.

But I prefer BY FAR a rumbling bass kit with an amp and two 12" drivers or more to shake my guts while playing.

I also need to be close to my drummer get the best timing with him as well.

I'm old school, I know ! 😁
 
Yes, as @Pulverizor mentioned the BackBeat is like a subwoofer that you can wear on your strap. Seems like a great solution for fly-dates.
This review is from 2019 and design may have changed a bit, but gives you more info:
Saying this is like a subwoofer isn't very accurate. What sets this device apart from "Kicker" systems is that it vibrates with every note up and down - it will give you tactile/haptic feedback all the way up through the 24th fret of a G string on your bass. It's range is wider than the Bassboard/Eich system too. It's not just a "bottom end rumble" device.
 
Yes, as @Pulverizor mentioned the BackBeat is like a subwoofer that you can wear on your strap. Seems like a great solution for fly-dates.
This review is from 2019 and design may have changed a bit, but gives you more info:
I seem to recall these have a metronome function as well. Bonus snack!
 
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Of course, IEM's, working with real FOH and monitor mixers, that whole thing, I get it Been there done that, it really is the best presentation, professional.

But by all that's holy, I loved standing in front of a big rig I could feel on a loud stage, standing in the middle of that hurricane. Completely raggedy out front I'm sure, but they didn't come to the Philharmonic. I see my inner Keith Richards winking at me . . .

As George C Scott said in PATTON, 'God help me, I love it so'.

OK, I promise I'll behave. Is this the direct box you want me to plug into . . .
 
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Whatever happened to the "Guitammer Buttkicker"?
View attachment 7534819
These are awesomeI had one of these on a Buttkicker platform at a church praise and worship ministry. Buttkickers doesn't make them anymore so you have to build your own platform. You also need a power amp for this transducer. Like 1,000 watts.

On a good responsive platform, this can make your eyeball rattle in your head. No joke! It is the closest thing to standing in front a 20x30' wall of SVTs cranked up to earthquake level you will ever experience.
 
I play at a lot of venues where, 90% of the time, I don't have a bass amp onstage—just a mixer for my in-ear monitor mix.


The problem is that I just can't feel the bass. I can hear it just fine, but I don't get the same physical response, and I don't play my best because of it.


I'm thinking about requesting a bass amp onstage in our rider and placing it face down so it makes the stage vibrate around me.


Does anyone else do this?
Other way around. "Feeling" the bass has no meaning for me. I have to be able to hear it. If I can't hear it, I can't play.
 
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I think a rumble pad seems like a better solution to get what you're after. There are a couple on the market. Tecamp and Porter & Davies come to mind, there may be others.
Or you could make one. I built mine for about $300. Works great!
 

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