Amp placement?

[frsbdg]

Really new pass player here, and this is probably a "duh" question. So far have only jammed with other musicians (two guitars and digital drums). Where should my amp be when we're playing? One of the guitarists has a big Peavey 600W 1x15 bass amp that I'm using, and the way we've been setting up, it seems that i "feel" my notes more than hear them. So I might be doing something wrong with the amp placement relative to where I'm standing maybe.

We're playing in a shop that is about two stories tall and has lots of space around us. The drummer is on my left with his speaker pointed away from his kit towards the three of us. Both guitarists have their amps about 10-15' in front of, and pointed toward, themselves. I've been playing with the bass amp a few feet from me at about the 4 o'clock position, with it pointed in the general direction of the guitar players. This placement of my amp is mostly based on access to electrical outlets, but I've heard they make something called an "extension cord."

By now it is obvious that none of us have a clue how we should set up our equipment to play. Any helpful suggestions are welcome.

 

[DannyBob]

It will be different for everybody depending on the sonic qualities of the room they use; tiles will make the notes ping around whilst furnishings will absorb the notes. Best thing you can do is spend a practice session setting up the equipment in different ways, pointing in different directions until you find something that works best. If you play a gig, most places will tell you to set up in a certain way - unless if this is in a completely ridiculously way, listen to what they say. They know the venue better than you do and know what works best.

 

[Downunderwonder]

It sounds like you are 4ft right off to the side of your cab relative to where it is pointing? Any cab is sounding woofy there. It's only the very low end that is "omni-directional".

You need to get in front of the speaker.

Raising up amp cabs is often helpful when space is short, doesn't sound like you are short on space though, more electrical flex.

 

[hrodbert696]

Does the bass sound OK to the guitarists, that the amp is pointed towards? It sounds to me like you're firing your sound past your waist and over at them. You want it farther back, raised up, or tilted back so that more of the sound is aimed at your ears. And +1 to what everyone else has said - it will vary depending on the room's acoustics and all that. Experiment with different positions till you find one you like.

 

[old spice]

Stand next to the drummer's hihat, and put the amp behind you and the drummer.

 

[tedious1]

Can your guitar players hear you? I'm with Downunder, it may be a matter of getting in front of your amp and possibly tilting it so it's pointed at your head instead of your knees. Small adjustment with big potential.

Damnit, beaten by Hrodbert, again...

 

[frsbdg]

Thanks for the suggestions. Neither of the guitarists has said anything about the bass sound, so I assume it may be okay for them. But I will definitely ask them next time we play. I have asked the drummer about it, and he said it was fine for him. The amp does tilt back, so I'll give that a try while also moving more in front of it. And we have plenty of time to try different configurations.