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Are bass amps obsolete?

#261
Another consideration. If your amp is behind you and your FOH speakers and subs are out front is there a phase issue that could potentially corrupt your sound? Assuming you're not using a time correction system.
 
#262
Really just depends on the venue.
And the genre of music being played.

My experience is exactly opposite.
Still amps on stage, still loud as hell
No di , just mics

Likewise I don't understand the misconception that when you see huge piles of speakers. That means all of them are empty. Complete BS.

That one old old picture of all the dummy cabinets that often gets posted. Doesn't mean everyone does that.

alot of permits for clubs requires certain volume levels to not be exceeded. Mains are loud enough, subs are loud, stage volume is loud. And there is no " cancellations" with the sub. And this includes small venues when the sub is literally sitting in front of the stage

It actually sounds very powerful and clean. And enjoy watching and performing on stage. Good sound guys, and no microphone whiners.

Really my biggest complaining is the mains usually gets the budget for system repairs. And countless venues let the monitors go for awhile. No issues with bass or guitars. Just krickle krackle vocal monitors.
 
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#267
Nunovsky said:
I get what you mean. And with the quality of the amp models of units like the Helix and others, the need to bring an amp to a gig is smaller these days.
But honestly, the amp has a diferent kind of response and the combination of amp+cabinet live is what makes you signature sound.
It's poopy that the bass amps are no longer micked or that most D.I. from the heads don't have cab sim that could provide the same experience.
But no matter what, the feeling and tone of the amp is its own thing and the music honestly has something lacking if that isn't included in the mix just because its more confortable to whoever is running the sound.

I leave this video of the new Boss Waza Tube Expander where they state that the cabinet affects the way that the amp responds and sounds as well, which is quite interesting when we usually only provide the preamp section to the FOH through the dedicated D.I., which means that a big part of the tone isn't incorporated in the signal that goes upfront.

Click to expand...

This works for bass too?
 
#268
As the bassist and keyboardist for my band, I would love to lug less gear... but I can't give up the comfort and control of an amp behind me. I like being able to plug in and immediately make music. Also I've never experienced a gig where I only DI'd and enjoyed the sound more than what comes from my amp– no matter what amp it was! I accept that I am doomed to carry big gear and frequently drive separately because my band doesn't have a big vehicle. It's all worth the amp sound :)
 
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#269
popgadget said:
I would say that this echoes my experience. In my experience mixing club level bands, nothing hurts the quality of the bass in the room as much as stage volume and bleed into other mics. This is not to say that an amp on stage is bad, but it certainly must be managed properly to provide the best experience for the audience. While a high quality bass rig might do a better job in the room than the PA, this was a rare occupancy for me, but one that I was open to if it was appropriate.
The underlying question really is- what is the priority, what the bassist hears or what the audience hears.
Click to expand...
A dilemma. As a pro, audience has president but, it's difficult to give your best when you're unhappy with your sound.
 
#271
BassGeekJack said:
As the bassist and keyboardist for my band, I would love to lug less gear... but I can't give up the comfort and control of an amp behind me. I like being able to plug in and immediately make music. Also I've never experienced a gig where I only DI'd and enjoyed the sound more than what comes from my amp– no matter what amp it was! I accept that I am doomed to carry big gear and frequently drive separately because my band doesn't have a big vehicle. It's all worth the amp sound :)
Click to expand...
"As the bassist and keyboardist for my band, I would love to lug less gear... but I can't give up the comfort and control of an amp behind me."
Hence the reason they keep coming out with new gear.
 
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#274
PSPookie said:
Bass amps are as obsolete as the P bass
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:laugh:...and some of us would agree: but not necessarily in the way which you intended! :)

StayLow said:
there's the obvious wrinkle that the less someoe gigs the more they tend to "talk" bass and buy gear. The last thing working pro musicians can afford is new gear!
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:thumbsup:

DWBass said:
Does anyone just plug straight into the amp anymore? No pedals? No modeling? No nothing?
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most of the time!

chuck3 said:
as a practical matter I find I have to do all three - play ampless through the FOH; play small to mid size amp with PA support; and bring a big bass amp because there's no PA support and I have to supply the bass sound in a big space.
Click to expand...
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sanwin17 said:
FOH always wants the stage volume down so they can control the mix. And yet, it seems almost every day, a new bass amp is out. Thoughts?
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sure. but it seems that those new/newer/newest rigs keep getting smaller/better.

lighter and louder is a good combination even when used as a personal monitor. i'm with the group who leans toward 'best sound' with the least equipment. IEM's + FOH is a great combo, too. ;)
 
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#275
Chickenwheels said:
Kemper into monitor? Isn’t that a bass amp? Or IEM? Headphone bass amp? I’m confusing myself now!
Every now now and then I think it’d be awesome to go preamp into killer wedge (L’Acoustic or Meyer). But they’re so heavy and expensive! I guess I’ll just keep the QSC for little gigs and the cheap dinosaur amp for gigs with drums.
Click to expand...
Kemper into PA board. I have the version without an amp, which I find more flexible; it weighs about 10 lbs. The sound is then routed back through either IEMs or the stage monitoring system.
 
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#276
sanwin17 said:
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?
Click to expand...

I’m looking hard at the Barefaced stuff. So a 105 lb 410xlt for a ~30 lb 1x12 cab with close enough power handling and output. I got bad GAS, it’s just a lot of coin to make that change. Maybe trade in a bunch of amps and combos for a D800 or TH500, or something similar. And my basement will have a lot more room so I can sell that to my wife as a bonus.
 
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