Auralex Gramma: Worth the money, or worthless?

[Michael Vee]

As a GRAMMA user, I'll say that the pad not only looks better than a homemade solution would, but it does work in the conditions it's advertised to work in. Primarily that would be a wooden stage that is hollow underneath. That's a dramatic improvement. On concrete slab floors, it's a very subtle improvement.

I don't know if the word vibration has been used yet. Ken J. mentioned mechanical coupling, same thing but fancier sounding. The idea of the pad is to prevent the cabinet vibrations from being transmitted into the floor, creating sympathetic sounds in everything that can be excited by those vibrations and the sounds produced until the energy dies out. So in the sense that the GRAMMA is a vibration-absorbing device, the materials DO make a difference in how well it works. I think it'd be a hit-or-miss process to create a DIY version, and I'd rather just buy the pad rather than waste a lot of time experimenting with a DIY.

 

[Hyper-sloth]

What is the difference between a Gramma pad and a piece of plywood covered with foam?

$79?

 

[Jerry Ziarko]

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[Ric Vice]

As a GRAMMA user, I'll say that the pad not only looks better than a homemade solution would, but it does work in the conditions it's advertised to work in. Primarily that would be a wooden stage that is hollow underneath. That's a dramatic improvement. On concrete slab floors, it's a very subtle improvement.

+1


Let me tell you about a Theater in St. Louis where they put a rehearsal hall below the auditorium and destroyed the acoustics of the hall. The sound on that state is so boomy that I typically have to roll of anything below 100 hz. The Gramma gets me down to 70 hz. It's worth the change.

 

[peterpalmieri]

I like my GRAMMA pad, there are certain stages that are problems and I'd dred to play them without it. I don't bring it on most gigs but I do bring it to rooms that are new to me besides the known problem spots.

I'd find it hard to believe somone is going to do a DIY job that will support 300lbs, the time of researching, sourcing materials and building it would make it hard to justify unless you enjoy that kind of thing.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

In my home studio, the Gramma Pad sits on an oak floor, which floats atop 3/4 inch plywood and a concrete pad. Before getting the Gramma, the bass would frequently cause wall joists to vibrate and make nose - a total drag when recording. With the Gramma, I hardly ever hear wall vibrations, even at higher volumes. Can't imagine not having the Gramma Pad here. It's also efficient for performance venues mentioned above.

 

[walker rosewood]

I've never heard of this until I just stumbled on this thread. Sigh, more GAS. My rig is a PR410HLF (130lbs) w/casters, and a rack with an Ampeg head and a bunch of other things. I think it comes in under 300lbs total. I'd have to get Great Gramma due to size. They're $99. Although two of the regular ones would be the same price, and be even larger.

Would it be worth it for this sort of set up, with casters? I'm not taking my casters off. At 130lbs I'm just not. Does is really support the weight? Somebody mentioned denting.

 

[Jerry Ziarko]

Just my opinion, but if your leaving the casters on, I wouldn't bother.

 

[JimmyM]

me neither.

 

[walker rosewood]

Ok, thanks guys. GAS quenched for now. Still, it will go on my list of thinks to try when I actually have disposable income.

 

[Whitbass]

What about a stage with carpet and padding installed? Would there be any benefit to using a Gramma there?

to my ears, definitely....

 

[dave_bass5]

Did my first gig with my new GP at the weekend and was really amazed at how clean and controlled my low end was.
Ill be using it at every gig now.

 

[MrRiff]

I'm probably going to get one as I play in band shells sometimes and I would think it would be a great help in a band shell.

 

[DizzyExiled]

if you and your bandmates/friends wanted to they got the kit to put under a riser. does 8' x 8' of flooring for $300, Add in a couple sheets of plywood and some krylon and you'll be able to make a bunch.

Find some walnut, bamboo, multi species hardwood cutting boards, glue the foam on them and sell them to the niche boutique market.

 

[marchone]

I just found this thread. Great information and very useful. I've been isolating speakers with carpet or towels for years but never had this much info.

 

[rockstarbassist]

I ended up just putting mine between my amp and cab so I don't get indentions in the top of mah Berg...

When I had smaller cabs I used it but wasn't gigging all that much to tell a difference. I don't relish the idea of lifting 100+ lb cabs and trying to set it on that little bugger.

 

[bassmonkeee]

When I play on elevated hollow stages, I take my GRAMMA. When I play a venue where I place my amp directly on the floor, I don't. I don't think it matters as much these days since my Shuttle combo has the kickstand which does a decent job of decoupling on its own.

The GRAMMA is certainly worth the $30 I have in it, though.

 

[trainyourhuman]

Anyone using a Gramma with an Epi UL310? How does it fit?

 

[Jerry Ziarko]

Anyone using a Gramma with an Epi UL310? How does it fit?

It will fit, but I've found something I like as well with this cab. First off, I have the removable casters. I take them off, and use an Ampwedge. To my ears it's pretty effective and tilts the cab up a bit. The only downside of what I consider an otherwise "perfect" cabinet, is that's since it has such a low profile, much of the sound is under knee level. The Ampwedge does help is this regard as well as adding isolation.
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[doktorfeelgood]

I've had a Gramma for about 8 years and wouldn't do any gig without it. And every soundman I've worked with since I've had it loves it for bass.
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