It's not so much an issue with the cab as the amp and how it sounds best distorted.
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8x10 + 2x15???
- Thread starter ME16510
- Start date
It's not so much an issue with the cab as the amp and how it sounds best distorted.
Which one: BOOM, or DISAPPEAR? Those two things are at opposite ends of the spectrum. And on "alternate notes"? Seriously? (Please, don't answer that. If you've actually heard it happen, it was either because a compressor was doing waaaaay too much, or your hearing was acting as a compressor, rebounding slowly).
OP, please ignore everything I say. There is no possible way I can have any idea what I'm talking about. With my 2 810s separated SL/SR and my guitarist's two JCM800 fullstacks set up the same way, I'm obviously just clueless. The fact that it's "common that way" means every other band & bassist is doing it wrong, too.
Must mean that big arena-level backlines with 4 or even 6 or 8 matching cabs each for the guitarist and bassist are set up exclusively for those in the "dead centre" of the venue (and let's not mention line array PAs, they must be set up for dead centre too).
Or not.
Oh, you mean the cardboard ones where only one or zero are actually real rigs? How many of us are playing at arena level?
And just to be clear, I'm in an international touring band, no arena gigs, but some rather large stages. We've come to the conclusion that using the bass/guitar rigs as sidefills work best. YMMV.
Don't know if you are referring to me, but I loves me some big ass amps, and like to rock 18's with subharmonic synthesizers and resonant filters.
I have two 8 10's and so far no band I have been in will let me use both of them. two 8 10's stacked will probably give the least amount of sound dispersion problems but you might get a nosebleed plugging in the top one. Side by side is the next best (and probably the most practical ) solution. Two 8 10's on either side of the stage is really a hit or miss solution. It might work but is might cause dispersion problems depending on the room and how the speakers are angled. Mixing different cabs is a real crapshoot and usually doesn't work well. YMMV. Now , go blow the roof off that sucker.
Pretty sure he was referring to the first person who replied to the OP who was all "bawww, you're too loud!"
No. You're doing something very right, in some genres. Is absurdly loud stage volume appropriate in all genres? Certainly not. But it is a big part of some, and pooh-poohing people for being into something you're not into isn't really that helpful to them.
MDBass
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So much incorrect information here, I'm honestly surprised one of the fEARful guys hasn't let you have it already
Absolutely everything about your first three sentences is simply wrong; each speaker and enclosure is tuned differently and has a different response, so while certain 8x10's may have more bottom end than certain 2x15's often times the opposite is true.
Total speaker area has nothing to do with frequency response (two 10's won't necessarily reach lower frequencies than a single 10 of the same design), and while it is PART of the volume equation, so is excursion, which is arguably more important.
Again, every 2x10 definitely does not have a lower frequency response and more power handling than their 1x15 counterpart, in fact I'd say the opposite is true more often.
As far as using two 8x10's or similar large cabs on stage, there are plenty of instances (theaters, stadiums, festivals, etc.) where that is totally reasonable and makes for wonderful stage sound for everyone; take a look at touring rock bands, it's much more common than you obviously realize.
For me personally, on a stage that large I prefer a cabinet on either side if I'm wireless and plan on roaming that entire space; some of the singers and guitarists I play with prefer that too, as the bass simply sounds better coming out of the rigs as opposed to the wedges, and it leaves more room in the wedges for vocals, kick, snare, etc.
Just want to point out this is very important.
You CAN be deafeningly loud WITHOUT going deaf.
It's pretty cool feeling yourself sweat from the volume, then taking the plugs out at the end of the night and not hear any ringing.
So much incorrect information here, I'm honestly surprised one of the fEARful guys hasn't let you have it already
Absolutely everything about your first three sentences is simply wrong; each speaker and enclosure is tuned differently and has a different response, so while certain 8x10's may have more bottom end than certain 2x15's often times the opposite is true.
Total speaker area has nothing to do with frequency response (two 10's won't necessarily reach lower frequencies than a single 10 of the same design), and while it is PART of the volume equation, so is excursion, which is arguably more important.
Again, every 2x10 definitely does not have a lower frequency response and more power handling than their 1x15 counterpart, in fact I'd say the opposite is true more often.
As far as using two 8x10's or similar large cabs on stage, there are plenty of instances (theaters, stadiums, festivals, etc.) where that is totally reasonable and makes for wonderful stage sound for everyone; take a look at touring rock bands, it's much more common than you obviously realize.
For me personally, on a stage that large I prefer a cabinet on either side if I'm wireless and plan on roaming that entire space; some of the singers and guitarists I play with prefer that too, as the bass simply sounds better coming out of the rigs as opposed to the wedges, and it leaves more room in the wedges for vocals, kick, snare, etc.
I was generalizing a bit, but most of this is just from what I've seen and experienced. Forgot the obligatory IME.
That's really on them, isn't it? Almost every venue I've been to, even some of the seediest bars, sell earplugs, some even give them out for a suggested donation.
Of course, some people wear their hearing loss as a badge of honor. "Yeah, man, my ears were ringing for weeks after that show!" I can only hope those people come around before it's too late. But if they go to shows infrequently enough it may never be too late, and if they're there to see me, I feel obliged to give them a show worth bragging about.
Those who really care will be putting them in before the set even starts.
I'm not sure you as a performer can waive all responsibility.
But anyway, that's probably OT, back to discussing fridges.
Somehow I don't think OP is playing to 1000 seats. More like 2-300 tops. Putting one cab each side guarantees lumpy bass. Yes, I know what it sounds like from actually listening. You wouldn't notice if you're busy fraternising.
Did you really stop reading after the first sentence?
5 lines down I clearly said that my responsibility IS to bring the hurt.
