Man, I would love to live in your world. I've gotten my rig down to a PJB D-600 and one their Compact 4 Piranha cabinets and, due to only having public transport to get around, even that is a PITA sometimes. I know, 1st World problems . . .
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Am I crazy, no amp go direct?
- Thread starter chrose1201
- Start date
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- Tags
- amp
- May 9, 2008
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- Proprietor Springvale Studios
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I'm old school going back to when just having monitor wedges was considered being in the big leagues.
I like having an actual amp on stage. For my own ears, if for nothing else. I don't care at all for IEMs despite their practicality. Maybe I just need to become better acclimated to them. But I'll agree with some of the others who described experiencing a sense of detachment when they had them on. It was the same for me.
As far as not owning an amp and just going direct goes…it would never work for me. YMMV.
I like having an actual amp on stage. For my own ears, if for nothing else. I don't care at all for IEMs despite their practicality. Maybe I just need to become better acclimated to them. But I'll agree with some of the others who described experiencing a sense of detachment when they had them on. It was the same for me.
As far as not owning an amp and just going direct goes…it would never work for me. YMMV.
It's nice having an easy schlep and set up for venues where the PA is capable-I don't bring a rig when I know the venue's got some big ol subwoofers and just give the engineer the feed from the DI at the end of my pedal chain. I don't use IEMs though; just a little wedge and bleed from the subs. I bring a rig for PAs that are vox only/don't have subs.
I would own a small rig at least. There will be days when the ampless thing won't work out.
But I have seriously been considering having both setups. Quite often I can get away with little or no rig. I would probably take my Walkabout Scout 15" combo in anyway just because I like the baked in tone of that head.
Whatever makes you happy though honestly....as long as it covers the gig. And welcome back to bass!
But I have seriously been considering having both setups. Quite often I can get away with little or no rig. I would probably take my Walkabout Scout 15" combo in anyway just because I like the baked in tone of that head.
Whatever makes you happy though honestly....as long as it covers the gig. And welcome back to bass!
Old git here, been gigging 47 years and sick of schlepping heavy gear. If I could turn up to a gig with just my bass and IEMs it would be heaven.
Sadly I cannot because we rarely get a provided PA and ours is vocal only so have gone the next best route, class D amp, lightweight high output neo cab and IEMs (and a sack truck).
Sadly I cannot because we rarely get a provided PA and ours is vocal only so have gone the next best route, class D amp, lightweight high output neo cab and IEMs (and a sack truck).
I would get an affordable amp maybe Fender Rumble Series D-class lightweight as a backup, always have a plan "B" I had my IEM go to he)) during a performance no amp gig no backup in the car just in case, I was barely in FOH I heard nothing I was playing, not a good feeling.
A really well equipped pa and a knowledgeable engineer really do eliminate the need for onstage bass amps if you have a good monitoring system. I use IEM's and I love it. I still bring an amp and cabinet, but these days it's really just a safety blanket.
Guitar players still insist on mic-ing their hand wired 25watt all-tube way too expensive 75pound snakeskin vinyl covered amps, however.
Guitar players still insist on mic-ing their hand wired 25watt all-tube way too expensive 75pound snakeskin vinyl covered amps, however.
Hehe. I played lead for 12 years and the last 5 years of that went straight from my effects board to the PA.
I've been on IEM's for about 6 years and tried ampless/direct for a couple months. I didn't like it at all. I suggest still buying a combo to bring on stage just so you can "feel" your bass. If you like GK's, check out their MB series combos. I have a MB212-ii and it is plenty of amp gigging with 2 guitarists (112 combos) and a drummer.
IMO... Feeling the bass on stage will improve your live performance, rather than hearing it in your ear piece.
If you're partial to GK, the MB series is a great gigging combo with a few formats to choose from. I love mine and recommend them for their super light weight build, ruggedness, classic GK mids, Built in DI, price point, and ample loudness for small to medium venues.
It saves the embarrassment from showing up to a venue that can't accommodate running direct as well.
If you're partial to GK, the MB series is a great gigging combo with a few formats to choose from. I love mine and recommend them for their super light weight build, ruggedness, classic GK mids, Built in DI, price point, and ample loudness for small to medium venues.
It saves the embarrassment from showing up to a venue that can't accommodate running direct as well.
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That's exactly how I see it. But, I was in the process of acquiring a bigger cab - currently have a Fender Rumble 4x10, older Rumble - and I backed out. Because I see no need on a large stage when my signal goes in the DI. But, I'll keep my "light" 4x10 as a monitor and to keep the energy level on stage. And my 4x10 can handle the pubs and clubs if I can't go DI.
I'm 60 this year, and still need to make my pants flap around my ankles once in awhile... tried the in-ears, but unless you get the really expensive ones, they sound like crap. I guess I will always drag an amp around.
I've been ampless for 6 years now. I can't go back to using an amp on stage anymore. I don't really care about bass amplification at all at this point. Instead of buying a rig, I would highly recommend buying a custom IEM. It will last you a lifetime. Surely, it's not for everyone, but it's the future. 10 years from now, it's gonna be all in-ears
You can go half way. I take my GK 500 amp and send a Post DI to the FOH. I have the EQ bass on max - think 5 o'clock. All the other EQ settings are flat. DEEP switch is on. I control my sound and volume on my bass (twin humbuckers) and the sound engineer can raise or lower the overall levels in the house. I control my floor monitor and all the other members on stage (9 of us) can raise or lower the bass in their monitors. No IEMs used except for the drummer, who is in a plexi room. So how can I tell if anyone can hear anything in the house? This is a worship service - all you need do is look around the room. When it's all good and sounding right, you will know from watching the audience.
Agreed with all of those that say it depends on your circumstances. If I knew that every venue I played could give me a good mix and a sub next to me then I wouldn't ever bring an amp, but thats not the real world (or at least that's never been my experience). I played a festival this past weekend and when we showed up for load-in the FOH had the worst, bass-heavy sound I'd ever heard...so I was thrilled to get to play without an IEM setup so that I wouldn't be reliant upon a bad soundman to hear the guitars onstage.
If I had the choice I'd prefer an all-IEM stage to wedges on a stage with three blazing guitar amps and a heavy-handed drummer though the best shows I've ever played had a mix of both.
If I had the choice I'd prefer an all-IEM stage to wedges on a stage with three blazing guitar amps and a heavy-handed drummer though the best shows I've ever played had a mix of both.
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I've done both. Ampless rather sucks if you ask me but I've done plenty gigs that way. I much prefer an amp onstage to give the band some energy along w in ears. I sing a lot and helps me nail harmonies w the other singers
Going ampless would only work in a fully professional large scale PA situation (IMO of course).
For club gigs I agree with going half and half - running DI post amp eq or going direct from a preamp pedal but still taking a parallel line to the amp.
Don't be too sure about that, I know bass players who still think that the best rig you can get is a 410 over a 115.
