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AudioKinesis Cabs Part VI...
- Thread starter Thor
- Start date
I wanted to update this since I found some video from last weekend. (And last night I had an "interesting" conversation.)
The hardest part about lugging gear was the Uber ride. Traffic was terrible, but this guy was motivated. We swerved in-and-out of highway exit lanes, took a couple of off/on ramps to avoid standstills, and I had to keep one hand on the Changeling so it wouldn't slide or tumble during the hard accelerations and quick turns.
The SUV was immaculate, but it smelled like Arm & Hammer and puke. I'm guessing he carried a SXSW festival-goer who was drunk and/or made carsick by his impressive and frightening driving.
After being dropped at an intersection (on a green light) two blocks from the venue, I quickly loaded my shoulders and arms with the gear and shuffled to a crossing point. On the other side stood two day-drunks who seemed to be there for the people watching, and one shouted, "Are those 10s or 12s?"
"12s!", I replied.
Then I got an, "Atta boy!"
When I made it to the other side of the intersection, I said, "Actually, it's two 12s, four 3s and a crossover." He responded, "There you go. Earn that money!"
And, get this, as I moved along the sidewalk with the rig, PEOPLE ACTUALLY GOT OUT OF MY WAY.
Turned-out to be a great show. So far this Facebook video is the only evidence I can find:
THEN!
Last night we played a large stage with great sound. One of my favorite sound guys was on duty, and everything on stage sounded fantastic. He encouraged me to crank the WD-800 and Changeling, which was invigorating.
After the set he and I talked about different stages in town, which led him to go on for a while about acoustics. I figured he would be impressed by the Changeling design, so I brought it over and explained the features.
He looked at it, lifted it, then said, "You should try tying two weights, like actual weight-lifting plates, to a rope and then hang them over the cab. I think you'll be surprised by how adding weight can change the sound."
He talked a bit about the pressure from the speakers creating motion and said the more weighted and stationary the cab is, the more low-end it will produce.
Then he suggested I carry those weights to gigs in a separate bag in order to keep the cab light for transport.
Hmmmm...
I'll just keep those weights next to the bottle of ammonia we use for jellyfish stings.
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Whoa, this is a big ol thread.
I think I'm down to a couple months' queue for my official join of the AK club
Currently, I've got a disparate pair of 2x10 cabs, a Hartke 210XL and Ampeg 210AV, that stacks nicely both physically and sonically. But...they're matched to a Quilter Bass Block 800, and that thing's hungry for room to stretch.
Long story short, I'm already able to beat my bandmates up with that stack without ever even hitting the 400W max RMS mark, but with a more natural (and much more flexible!) voicing coming in at 25lbs vs 72lbs carry weight, the Hathor 1203 seems like the only right choice for me.
If the timing works out.... it may even hit the road for a 3 week tour. Okay, now to start reading from page 1 of thread 1!
I think I'm down to a couple months' queue for my official join of the AK club
Currently, I've got a disparate pair of 2x10 cabs, a Hartke 210XL and Ampeg 210AV, that stacks nicely both physically and sonically. But...they're matched to a Quilter Bass Block 800, and that thing's hungry for room to stretch.
Long story short, I'm already able to beat my bandmates up with that stack without ever even hitting the 400W max RMS mark, but with a more natural (and much more flexible!) voicing coming in at 25lbs vs 72lbs carry weight, the Hathor 1203 seems like the only right choice for me.
If the timing works out.... it may even hit the road for a 3 week tour. Okay, now to start reading from page 1 of thread 1!
To DukeMeister @DukeLeJeune and all the experienced live sound TB folks. Is this true? Can we get even better or bigger sound from our AK cabs by simply adding (hanging) weight?
I’ve been doing indoor fill in dates with a stupid loud ZZ Top, SRV, Clapton two guitar band, the drummer (who incredibly mics his toms; has super loud snare) must be a relative of the world’s loudest drummer, and I’m getting over just fine, great tone with one H1203T! Not anywhere near max amp settings. Playing a PJ mostly on the neck pup with tone rolled back, Mesa D800 head, and a MS60B Zoom stomp to add a little grit and hair on some tunes.
If I needed it, could I get even more volume or more lows by hanging weights on the cab? Or is this April foolery?
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Plot twist: The SVT actually sounds awful, what you're hearing is the weight it puts on cabs
The only way it will work is if the weight you place on your cab is another cab.
In ancient times a pair of virgins on top were recommended, but with today's small cabs a single hottie of questionable moral turpitude will suffice.
As Maria Muldaur sang, it ain't the meat it's the motion. Controlled motion that is. A stiff, well-braced cab gets the job done. No need for excess avoirdupois.
For reference purposes:
For reference purposes:
Not only suffice - QMT's new album is freakin' awesome!
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You could also use the cab as a stool and put all your weight on it. No downside to trying.
You might want to try playing over the bridge pup. That J can really cut through. Go FOH to hear how you sit in the mix, adjust from there.
My trusty Etymotic ear plugs provide up to a 20dB cut even across the freq spectrum.
Hey, out of curiosity, has anyone been in touch with Duke recently? ie: the last 7 days or so?
OK, weird. Have been trying to get in touch regarding a build. Wonder if he's having email issues again. I'll keep trying.
