Auralex GRAMMA...wow

[KJung]

Nothing whatsoever against the GRAMMA; but, I have always just used two of the closed cell foam kneeling pads under my cabs. They seem to work perfectly well in terms of isolating the cab from the stage. Has anyone A/B'd the GRAMMA vs the kneeling pad cheapo solution? Isn't isolation pretty much just isolation?

The Gramma is just a nicely made tool, and does what it does. You can use anything pretty much to help with isolation on the specific situations where you are playing on a hollow stage (it won't do anything in most other cases), but the Gramma looks good, is very sturdy, is optimized for the best isolation possible, and will last for many years.

If you are one that often plays on hollow stages, probably worth the extra money to result in your rig looking a touch better (if those things are important to you), and getting the maximum isolation possible due to the design of the pad.

In all the rooms I've played over 40 years, there are only a couple that I would bother to bring something like this to the gig. Again, in many/most situation, there will be no impact whatsoever. I have one and always keep it under my practice rig in the basement in case there is ever a water problem. Lifts it up a couple of inches. Of course, doesn't do anything on that cement floor with carpet.

 

[bucephylus]

The Gramma is just a nicely made tool, and does what it does. You can use anything pretty much to help with isolation on the specific situations where you are playing on a hollow stage (it won't do anything in most other cases), but the Gramma looks good, is very sturdy, is optimized for the best isolation possible, and will last for many years.

If you are one that often plays on hollow stages, probably worth the extra money to result in your rig looking a touch better (if those things are important to you), and getting the maximum isolation possible due to the design of the pad.

In all the rooms I've played over 40 years, there are only a couple that I would bother to bring something like this to the gig. Again, in many/most situation, there will be no impact whatsoever. I have one and always keep it under my practice rig in the basement in case there is ever a water problem. Lifts it up a couple of inches. Of course, doesn't do anything on that cement floor with carpet.

Thanks Ken. Yes, when gigging (currently half way through two year hiatus, ugh) many of the Phoenix area clubs do have hollow stages. That is why I went to the kneeling pads. I agree the Gramma looks very cool. However, few people seem to pay any attention at all to what is under the cab. I was just curious if I might be missing anything.

Besides, many of the kneeling pads can be found in all kinds of Flower Power psychedelic designs!!

 

[Stone Soup]

Besides, many of the kneeling pads can be found in all kinds of Flower Power psychedelic designs!!

And some of them cost even more than the Gramma!

I have a Gramma pad, but haven't used it in a while. I should carry it in the gig trailer for those times when it might help. I know it helped in a few situations. Like previously mentioned, big hollow stages.

Last night, I played a large club at a marina. We were outside on a huge deck, built about 6" over a concrete slab, in front of a long row of 8' by 8' windows and under a large canopy. I'm pretty sure the Gramma wouldn't have made a difference there. I cut the low end on my rig to keep the "boom" down. I'm told it sounded great out front.

 

[bucephylus]

And some of them cost even more than the Gramma!

Ummm..I get the tongue in cheek; but, mine were $4 a piece at Home Depot.

 

[Baird6869]

Ummm..I get the tongue in cheek; but, mine were $4 a piece at Home Depot.

A Gramma is approx $50. Not super expensive when you consider it is well built and will last, doesn't look terrible, etc.

 

[tombowlus]

A Gramma is approx $50. Not super expensive when you consider it is well built and will last, doesn't look terrible, etc.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Toolmybass]

I use the Great Gramma under my Mesa cabs...don't leave home without it!!

 

[Mugre]

The next cool trick is to put a Tube Trap (I suppose any freestanding bass trap would work) behind your amp between the speaker box and the wall or corner. The tube traps rep was in my big rehearsal room (900 sq ft) to do some consultation. A band came to set up and he offered to do a demo. It was a trace head over a trace 4x10. The room was pretty damn live and with the trap behind the amp it really tightened up the sound out front since the sound from the front of the box wasn't competing as much with the out of phase sound from the rear. The player felt it made his sound "smaller" which I believe was from him missing the resonance but out in front of the stage the effect was the same when you put just the right amount of pillow or foam in a kick drum. The note was there, the tone was there but it was focused and had more impact without the spurious resonances.

 

[Rockbobmel]

I use mine under my NV215 with an amp on top. It is a little wobbly, but stays put. I just stopped deciding whether to use it here if there and go with it all the time. I find my sound very consistent room to room. The Great Gramma would prolly be a better choice, but it fits squarely under the cab. Better note definition. Less boom, complaints.
I wanted to make a copy but could not find the dense foam so gave up and sprung for it.

 

[Bruce Elkington]

I use a great gramma under my DNA 4x10. It makes a noticeable difference in the sound. More focused and full. It really does work. You could make one yourself of any size you want if you have some particle board, outdoor carpet, high density foam, and a handle. It would be much less expensive. Getting the correct foam may be an issue, depending on where you live.

 

[chadds]

I use one. Presently it is under my turntable.

I play gigs where something cobbled together would look unprofessional. I wish everything to contribute to our being asked back/rehired. A little thing yes, yet it looks like I considered its function and their setting too.

 

[JimmyM]

Bill Fitzmaurice always said you could accomplish the same thing with a small rug in front of your cab. I can appreciate the tighter onstage look of the Gramma, though. I have no need for either but if it works for you guys, then hey...

 

[David Jayne]

Bill Fitzmaurice always said.......

Man I miss that guy. Wish he'd come back on.

 

[monkeyfinger]

I would like to try the rug trick. If BM says it, it is certainly worth checking out.

 

[inazone]

What Tom said. I use mine between my cabs and heads to cut vibration.

Wally

+3

 

[Baird6869]

I looked at a Great Gramma recently for my 410 or 412 guitar cab..... $85! That seems pricy to me for plywood, carpet and foam.

But I bought 2 Grammas for $50 or so each and that was justifiable for me. I guess the $85 is too close to $100 and mentally I can't pull that trigger.

In any case, I might try the carpet trick with the bigger cabs. Too bad as outdoors with big cabs is likely where I need decoupling most. Boomy concert shells, playing near water, big hollow raised stages, etc.

 

[iualum]

I would like to try the rug trick. If BM says it, it is certainly worth checking out.

Yep. I'm down with the rug, baby.

 

[daveman50]

I never leave home without it. It always helps a little, sometimes helps a lot, and I don't want to have to think about what I take with me - it's easier just to use it consistently.

 

[Rockbobmel]

I never leave home without it. It always helps a little, sometimes helps a lot, and I don't want to have to think about what I take with me - it's easier just to use it consistently.

Better stated!

 

[BassmanPaul]

I'm tempted to get one of these things for my son's subwoofer. Every time he watches a movie up in his room, we think there's a thunderstorm happening!