Geez. Does anyone just plug straight into the amp anymore? No pedals? No modeling? No nothing?
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Are bass amps obsolete?
- Thread starter sanwin17
- Start date
Yup.
But you either have to equip every audience member with one, effectively anchoring them to their own private dance floor, or you have to build an entire club floor out of these things, so people are encouraged to dance.
Then you have to decrease the boards effect as distance from the stage increases, otherwise people in the back may only get the vibration effect without being able to hear the music the board is supposed to augment.
What happens when you lift your feet to dance?
Now you're sensing bass in morse code.
Neat product.......not a viable alternative to some big honkin' subs and some arc-welder capable amps, at least, not in the nightclub/dancehall scenario being discussed.
We put the covers of the pa bottoms on stage and they are flat black slabs tht look like amps and are great for beer tables.
Yup, me. Most of the time when I'm using an amp. When I'm not my Zoom B3N goes straight to the board. I'm old school. Actually, just old.
This is my “no amp” rig, for both rehearsal and performance. Actually, there is an amp there; but, the power section isn’t in the signal chain.
If bass amps are obsolete, then so are basses and bass players. You can pre-program bass lines, drums, a full backing or lipsync track for that matter. Just because you can do something, it doesn’t mean that it’s best.
The same holds true when it comes to a bass player and the tools that inspire them to play well. Their bass, amp, and effects are all components of their sound. The player decides how they want to put that together. I don't see any shortage of amps being used.
Let's look at what the FOH tech does. They're both a mixer and a producer for the sound that they audience hears. On the bass, they apply EQ so that the bass sits well in the mix with no irritating midrange or other frequencies, they apply high and low pass filtering to ensure that the sonic components from everyone in the band don't step on each other. They dial in clarity so that the kick drum or keyboard and the bass frequencies don't interfer with each other. With digital consoles, they apply plugins and even additional tracks to further enhance the sound. Finially, they mix the sound to balance it.
This is all well beyond simply changing the bass sound. This is much the same as what is done when producing a song on a record. In some cases they are attempting to reproduce what has been created on a record. Often recordings are way more complicated, comprised of a large number of tracks. All that has to be sculpted and brought together to make a whole.
They aren’t there just to change the bass sound.
The same holds true when it comes to a bass player and the tools that inspire them to play well. Their bass, amp, and effects are all components of their sound. The player decides how they want to put that together. I don't see any shortage of amps being used.
Let's look at what the FOH tech does. They're both a mixer and a producer for the sound that they audience hears. On the bass, they apply EQ so that the bass sits well in the mix with no irritating midrange or other frequencies, they apply high and low pass filtering to ensure that the sonic components from everyone in the band don't step on each other. They dial in clarity so that the kick drum or keyboard and the bass frequencies don't interfer with each other. With digital consoles, they apply plugins and even additional tracks to further enhance the sound. Finially, they mix the sound to balance it.
This is all well beyond simply changing the bass sound. This is much the same as what is done when producing a song on a record. In some cases they are attempting to reproduce what has been created on a record. Often recordings are way more complicated, comprised of a large number of tracks. All that has to be sculpted and brought together to make a whole.
They aren’t there just to change the bass sound.
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BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
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Most of my stage time is pretty much bass to amp...because 'true bypass' is a thing that exists in the world.
That doesn't mean I can't have pedals there for when I want different tonal options. It's all for the song, not some purist idea of what a best setup is supposed to be.
Bass amps are not simply about convenience and/or practicality (or the lack thereof) for many of us.
I simply enjoy hearing myself through speakers. When I can, I will bring an amp. If I can get away with it, I'll bring an Ampeg SVT. The sound of that heavy beast makes me smile.
They absolutely will be less common in a decade or so. We'll probably all have wireless basses with transmitters you can't see that send a signal directly to the computer used to run sound (that is the size of a pack of gum). Every audience member will be wearing headphones (tiny earbuds) that allow them to control the volume of their live band. Take out your earbuds and all you will hear are people talking and the sound of sticks hitting electronic drums pads. Your average bar will sound like a library until you put in earbuds.
So, not yet... but it's coming.
Futuristic for sure.
But dont forget-
even the band at the Mos Isis Lounge in the first Star Wars Movie made live noise.
madbass6
Inactive
- Jan 13, 2009
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good point! But in my opinion it will never be the same as
having your own rig ! for one thing nothing like being in control of your own sound and tone on stage.
i was kind of wondering the same thing. i saw metallica, and none of them had amplifiers. My guess was they were all using kemper amps right into the PA.
Been running ampless with in ears for two years now in my metal band and I have zero desire to go back to my Ampeg 8x10 setup. I have a power amp and cab I can run for gigs that need front stage fill or have poor pa support but I have yet to run into a gig I need it. I get consistent sound every show and have full control over my tone front of house just adjust it for the room. The only thing missing is the vibration of the cab moving air but I can snag a bass platform, woojer strap, or backbeat for that down the line if need be it hasn't been enough of a deal for me atm tho my iems get tons of bass and sound amaizing.
Haven't read the whole thread, but a few times a year, I do "block parties". A three or four piece band that plays out in the street or in front of someone's garage. We don't even use a PA. Everyone brings their own beater amp, that can take a little rain or whatever and just play. A little 4 channel soundboard and amp for a couple of mics.
I've played a few places ampless that worked pretty well. Always ampless at church. But in my band, the PA is a supplement to my amp, so I need (and want) a good one, its core to the sound of the band. And then there's just no way to get by without an old beater combo or equivalent.
I've played a few places ampless that worked pretty well. Always ampless at church. But in my band, the PA is a supplement to my amp, so I need (and want) a good one, its core to the sound of the band. And then there's just no way to get by without an old beater combo or equivalent.
I haven't read the whole thread but I assume I will be echoing some sentiments... For me, the bass amp is not becoming obsolete. I play professionally(all of my income is from playing), and while I could do probably 50% of my gigs without an amp, there are some gigs where its just not possible to go ampless ie//jazz gigs where there isn't a PA/FOH, rock and country gigs where there isn't adequate monitoring on stage for the bass. Even the theater and pit band work I do, I like having the amp there. Also, I like having my sound on stage. it just makes it more enjoyable and I play better because of it. Generally I keep my stage volume low, but I like to feel it a bit.
I wouldn't say they're obsolete, but I would say that there are more options for amplification these days. I've been in bands which used both formats, respectively. I was in one long-term band which used no amps at all, and another which used primarily amps. I'm good with either scenario, provided I can hear myself adequately, and I get enough low end.
I have to agree that one of the great things about ampless is the end to volume wars. I do approach it with some trepidation, though, as I've played my share of shows where I had to rely on FOH and couldn't hear myself. At least if I have my own amp, I have my own control over whether or not I can hear myself.
I have to agree that one of the great things about ampless is the end to volume wars. I do approach it with some trepidation, though, as I've played my share of shows where I had to rely on FOH and couldn't hear myself. At least if I have my own amp, I have my own control over whether or not I can hear myself.
I have a bunch of cabs I never use but would love to sell. Probably more expensive to ship than what they're worth though most are in like new condition. What whiz bang small super rig were you looking at?
This. Do I need to read the rest of the thread?Having a quality personal monitor helps me give a good performance. I see no contradiction here.
