Amp/Cab advice needed

[Leftybassist4]

I have played bass guitar in my church band for years. I usually either run through a small Ampeg BA-110 or direct into the house. The main problem I have with running through my practice amp is that changing the volume on the amp changes the volume sent to the house. Also, the tone sent to the house sounds less full when I first run through my amp. The problem I have with running straight into the house is I give up almost complete control of my tone and volume. We use in-ear monitors instead of floor wedges, so if not enough bass is being sent to my ears, I have no stage sound without my amp. Some Sundays, depending on whether the person behind the board knows what they are doing, I literally cannot hear what I am playing.

A few questions derived from this experience:

• If I were to upgrade my amp, what are some good, mid-level price range amp/cab combos for rooms that hold about 250 people? Markbass, Ampeg, Marshall?
• Should I run my amp in parallel to the house instead of in series? Are there pros and cons there?
• Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Stumbo]

Welcome to TalkBass!

How about a separate
DI Pedal?

Also, you can set up your amp directly in front of you, tilt it back and use it like a wedge monitor.

Or possibly speak with the MD and let him/her know you can't hear yourself sometimes. Maybe there's a prearranged hand signal that the sound person could look for from you.

Good luck!

 

[Wasnex]

I have played bass guitar in my church band for years. I usually either run through a small Ampeg BA-110 or direct into the house. The main problem I have with running through my practice amp is that changing the volume on the amp changes the volume sent to the house. Also, the tone sent to the house sounds less full when I first run through my amp. The problem I have with running straight into the house is I give up almost complete control of my tone and volume. We use in-ear monitors instead of floor wedges, so if not enough bass is being sent to my ears, I have no stage sound without my amp. Some Sundays, depending on whether the person behind the board knows what they are doing, I literally cannot hear what I am playing.

A few questions derived from this experience:

• If I were to upgrade my amp, what are some good, mid-level price range amp/cab combos for rooms that hold about 250 people? Markbass, Ampeg, Marshall?
• Should I run my amp in parallel to the house instead of in series? Are there pros and cons there?
• Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

How are you hooking up your amp into the system? I looked at the BA-110 manual and did not see a line out for the BA-110. There is a line out for the BA-115 and BA-210, but unfortunately it is hardwired to come after the EQ so any volume or EQ changes you make to the amp will impact the signal you send to the mixer. The line out/DI for many amps has a PRE/POST switch which allows the signal to be taken before the amp's volume and EQ. If you get another amp with a built in DI, check to see if it can be configured to PRE and POST.

IMHO the easiest solution would be if the church can provide you with a DI. Plug your bass into the DI and then run the Thru from the DI to your amp's input. Basically you need to two standard 1/4" guitar cables to do this. With this setup, you can adjust your amp without effecting the signal that is sent to the mixing board.

Another solution you might consider is using a device like a Rolls PM351 instead of an amp. The PM351 is basically a headphone mixer/amp. You plug your IEM mix and your bass into the Rolls PM351 so you can adjust the level of both. Your bass signal also passes Thru the Rolls unmodified to the mixer. Basically you can increase the level of your bass in your IEMs without changing the level you send to the mixing board.

Rolls Corporation - Real Sound - Products PM351 Personal Monitor System

 

[Yunior]

Hello, i can give you some advice however im running in a pretty similar issue as well.

I can tell you that for 250 people the ampege 4x10 is pretty good will handle this sound with easy and what you can do is 4x10 800 watt ampeg or traynor will do it nice they cost under 1,000 in canada, $884 about! and add an extention cab to completed the sound for worship, it will make it little ward nice for worship songs 1x15". those are stacks which you will need a amp head as well but sound will be awesome.

also you can do combo, i tested quite lots of them last week and i really love the UNITY blackstar 500 come along with Unity 250.

So the issue im having is similar im sure about what i will buy but im not sure if i will use it properly in my church! they have a wedge PA system so i go connected to it and the magig sound of my new righ i may wont hear it, that is what worry me, because they are no cheap and if i buy them just to use it a little bit hight only maybe no worthy