Auralex GRAMMA...wow

[steelbed45]

I have one, it's stashed in the backseat.
I bought it after one dismal night playing on a stage that used to be where the sound guy sat. Cramped, completely hollow and just howling. I rolled off the bass almost entirely...actually, that night is not the point.

Gramma + Fdeck's HPF 3 = I fear no dive bar.

Edit: I probably would still be trying to work on the eq alone to handle these things. I learned about both of these items through talkbass. Just giving a thumbs up where it's due.

 

[gillento]

I use them between the cab and the amp and between an empty flight case (allowing me to elevate the mini 212 stack) and the cab.

 

[Monkey]

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.

I do the same thing. I bring it to every gig, whether I actually need it or not. It serves to get my cabs up a little higher and is easy to carry on my dolly.

The Gramma didn't fit quite fit my cab, so I gently peeled off the foam, then cut my own wooden base that fit my cab perfectly and glued the foam on. I covered it with black vinyl and it looks as good as the original.

 

[ga_edwards]

Apologies for resurrecting a slightly old thread, but just wanted to add my 2 pennies worth.

I some research a month or so ago after a particularly bad night at a venue we regularly play at that always causes acoustic problems. Stage is hollow and set in what is essentially a huge bay windows, so wooden floor, low ceiling and wooden shutters on all the windows. Result: boom, mud, resonant notes, rumble making its way up the mic stands.

So, researched the problems and science and promptly bought the Gramma Pad. First gig since was a small outdoor biker club meet under canvas. I find that outdoors is pretty much acoustically perfect, as in there's nothing to alter the true sound of the cabinet, so I didn't bother bringing the pad.

However, last night's gig was at another pub venue with a hollow stage area, so packed the pad. So glad I did, I, and the rest of the band was astounded at the difference. The bass tone was tight, focused, bassy and full with out sounding flabby or muddy whist letting the mids breathe. You could hear every detail and nuance. The on stage sound was so nice and clean, and we were able to reign in the volume instead of fighting frequencies. The two guitarists were so impressed that they are tempted to get one each.

The other thing that amazed me was I hadn't touched the EQ and tone controls on my LMII head since last weeks 'acoustically perfect' outdoor gig. I didn't have to change it last night either. Maybe it was just coincidence ,but if this is the consistency I can expect room to room, then I'm going to be a very happy man.

 

[tombowlus]

Apologies for resurrecting a slightly old thread, but just wanted to add my 2 pennies worth.

I some research a month or so ago after a particularly bad night at a venue we regularly play at that always causes acoustic problems. Stage is hollow and set in what is essentially a huge bay windows, so wooden floor, low ceiling and wooden shutters on all the windows. Result: boom, mud, resonant notes, rumble making its way up the mic stands.

So, researched the problems and science and promptly bought the Gramma Pad. First gig since was a small outdoor biker club meet under canvas. I find that outdoors is pretty much acoustically perfect, as in there's nothing to alter the true sound of the cabinet, so I didn't bother bringing the pad.

However, last night's gig was at another pub venue with a hollow stage area, so packed the pad. So glad I did, I, and the rest of the band was astounded at the difference. The bass tone was tight, focused, bassy and full with out sounding flabby or muddy whist letting the mids breathe. You could hear every detail and nuance. The on stage sound was so nice and clean, and we were able to reign in the volume instead of fighting frequencies. The two guitarists were so impressed that they are tempted to get one each.

The other thing that amazed me was I hadn't touched the EQ and tone controls on my LMII head since last weeks 'acoustically perfect' outdoor gig. I didn't have to change it last night either. Maybe it was just coincidence ,but if this is the consistency I can expect room to room, then I'm going to be a very happy man.

Great story! That mirrors my experiences. It can really work wonders - in certain rooms. I've played other rooms where there was no discernible difference. Still, it's great to have it when you need it.

 

[Linnin]

OK, that's it. I'm getting one!

And BINGO! Just pulled the trigger on one at Sweetwater! Ha!

 

[MVE]

I always use one.
In my apartment, my amp sits next to a tall set of shelves with picture frames and lots of other nik-naks and such. Before the Gramma, everything would vibrate and buzz to the point that it sounded like a blown speaker and totaly ruined my tone and sapped the enjoyment out of playing.... I know what you're thinking, "just clean the damn shelves", right? Well, that wasn't really an option; the married guys know what I'm talking about.
Gramma to the rescue -- totally solved the problem.
Most cost-effective, tone-4-dollar piece of gear I ever bought.

 

[ga_edwards]

I always use one.
In my apartment, my amp sits next to a tall set of shelves with picture frames and lots of other nik-naks and such. Before the Gramma, everything would vibrate and buzz to the point that it sounded like a blown speaker and totaly ruined my tone and sapped the enjoyment out of playing.... I know what you're thinking, "just clean the damn shelves", right? Well, that wasn't really an option; the married guys know what I'm talking about.
Gramma to the rescue -- totally solved the problem.
Most cost-effective, tone-4-dollar piece of gear I ever bought.

That's a good point actually. Sometimes certain bass notes make the snare drum rattle like crazy. Will have to listen out in future to see if it has stopped this phenomenon.

 

[Goingdownslow]

A year or so back I was reading about Gramma pads on another forum and was thinking it might be the answer at a couple of venues I gig at, one in particular having a hollow stage that is open at the sides. So, I had a go at making someting along the lines of one on the afternoon of a gig at that venue.
I used a piece of MDF with a carpet tile glued on and feet made from pipe insulation.
I arrived at the venue before the other band members and set my cab up without the platform and then with, and the difference was night and day. A tighter more focused sound. The others in the band noticed the difference too.

 

[carbonfold]

After my run in with some major cabinet viberations with my VBA400 and an Emperor 412 a few years ago, I always keep one stacked between the head and the cabinet. Although I have moved on to a different setup that solved my viberation issues, I always keep the Gramma under my head.

Tube viberations and rattles have been a thing of the past ever since...

 

[tombowlus]

After my run in with some major cabinet viberations with my VBA400 and an Emperor 412 a few years ago, I always keep one stacked between the head and the cabinet. Although I have moved on to a different setup that solved my viberation issues, I always keep the Gramma under my head.

Tube viberations and rattles have been a thing of the past ever since...

Yup, that's another great use for 'em.

 

[barrybass33]

Great piece of gear to cut the boom when you need to..,

I use to use one all the time till I put a set of casters on the cabinet.

Now it sit under my practice rig.

 

[Munjibunga]

I suspect the difference in sound was more related to the boundary conditions in that window ledge. You get an additional 3 dB for every proximal boundary.

 

[vernhillbass]

I have used them since I picked up 3 from a local studio for $50. I use one at home on the amp in my living room with laminate floors. It made a huge difference when I A/B'ed it. I use one at our practice space (a concrete floor) and one at church and gigs.
I found out just how much of a difference it made when our PA went out at an outdoor biker gig. All you could hear was the 2 guitar amps, the drums and my bass. We had just hit the final breakdown in 'I'm Your Captain/Closer to Home' and I was blown away by my tone on this raised, carpeted stage. Tight and articulate. Love them!

 

[fishtx]

Gramma + Fdeck's HPF 3 = I fear no dive bar.

I have been using the Gramma for over a year now, and have an SFX Thumpinator on the way...

We have an HPF built into our PA board as well, and use it to eliminate issues with boomy stages, etc...We've had some great results...

 

[MVE]

After my run in with some major cabinet viberations with my VBA400 and an Emperor 412 a few years ago, I always keep one stacked between the head and the cabinet. Although I have moved on to a different setup that solved my viberation issues, I always keep the Gramma under my head.

Tube viberations and rattles have been a thing of the past ever since...

Carbonfold,
Have you tried Isonode feet under your head?
They are little halve spherical sorbothane rubber feet. You can get them from amazon or just google it.
I just put some under my amp, and they seem to reduce cab to head vibration. I havent gotten to test them at volume yet, but I will do that today and post back.

 

[grey area]

hi kids, i'm thinking of gettiin one of these as we have a lot of gigs with hollow and boomy stages. one question i have is, i will be verticaly stacking TC RS cabs, so i wonder if these things are stable or will they tilt ie are the bits that sit on the floor solid or do they compress?
thanks in advance.

 

[MVE]

They do not compress.
Max weight is a few hundred pounds, so a couple of cabs stacked would be fine.

 

[grey area]

They do not compress.
Max weight is a few hundred pounds, so a couple of cabs stacked would be fine.

thanks MVE, my order will go in monday. it will save me screwing rubber feet on the bottom of the cab also.
thanks again.

 

[bucephylus]

Thread resurrection here.

Decided I was tired of my foam kneeling pads. But, was having a hard time figuring out what size to get. With stage space being a premium in some of the clubs, I didn't want a whole lot of platform sticking out taking up space. I ended up ordering a couple of the 15"x15" AmpDudes to put under my Berg 12's. Seems the feet will fit on that platform dimension. anyone else using the small platforms?