Bass cabinet for worship

Discussion in 'Live Sound [BG]' started by Aldonis, Apr 15, 2012.

  1. Aldonis

    Aldonis Guest

    Mar 22, 2010
    Omaha, NE
    Looking into adding a bass cabinet and amp for fuller sound. Currently running through sansap to FOH system. Was thinking a 4 x 10 cabinet and amp. We break down and set up every weekend. Any thoughts? Will sometimes run a 5 string or a 4 string tuned down
     
  2. If you're trying to improve what the audience hears, a sub (or subs) for your PA system would provide more bang for the buck. If this is strictly for stage monitoring, try to get something that you can tilt back or elevate closer to ear level. The size and type of amp & cabinet are truly a matter of budget and preference.
     
  3. Aldonis

    Aldonis Guest

    Mar 22, 2010
    Omaha, NE
    We're running (2) powered 3-ways as well as (2) powered subs. - Not hurting for low end. More to get a great sound stage for the team. Have been borrowing a MESA rig with 2x15 cab and something similar to an M-6 amp. BIG sound and love the sound of the DI out to FOH. Big cab to haul and store. Was wondering if a 4x10 would get the job done and how that compares to 2x15. Not a bass guy, but have the responsibility of finding a solution. Thanks in advance!
     
  4. tjh

    tjh

    Mar 22, 2006
    Minnesota
    Just be cautious of too much stage sound bleeding into the house and the sound person losing control ...

    ... I have used little 112 Hartke combo and had more than enough for a stage monitor ... I even used them sideways/backwards usually ... turn everything else on stage down, and you will have more than enough bass with a small monitor and let the house system do its job for the FOH ..
     
  5. We don't really know enough about the Sanctuary or the size of the ensemble to make a recommendation for you.

    However, I am a fan of using a good 112 combo kicked back. I use a Genz NEOX 400 112T (discontinued) on a low amp stand. IMO if the house sound has subs and you have a soundman at the board, you only need to sound big enough for you and the drummer to lock up well and balance each other "acoustically." More than that, and you are going to cause problems out front. A combo allows you to tilt the whole thing up towards your ears without having to worry about vibrating your head off the back or having to rig something to keep it on the cab.
     
  6. wcriley

    wcriley

    Apr 5, 2010
    Western PA
    You would probably get many more recommendations over in the "Amps" section of Talkbass than here in the PA section.

    That said...my personal recommendation would be the fEARful 12/6. Great horizontal dispersion of the mids so that the rest of the musicians can hear you well onstage.
     
  7. spector_boogie

    spector_boogie No Limit Honky Supporting Member

    Apr 15, 2012
    The Woodlands, TX
    fuller sound for you or the FOH? if the FOH, just have them bump your levels. if you're too low and not EQ'd properly, having a cab won't help as you'll just get in the way of the PA and they will cut you out completely from the mains. trust me... :(

    if you're talking about personal monitoring, just get 1-2 powered monitors and run a line to them from your sansamp.
     
  8. TimmyP

    TimmyP

    Nov 4, 2003
    Indianapolis, IN
    I'm with testing - use the money to improve the PA. It's very rare that I encounter a situation in which the bass rig isn't way to loud in the room over a small frequency range - and the rig never seems to have the EQ needed to fix it (or the player does not know what to do even when told).
     
  9. 12bass

    12bass

    Jan 2, 2003
    Victoria, Canada
    Not sure... I suppose a large, shiny, impressive looking, cabinet would be best to worship.

    Never really thought about it much before.... but bass is a mighty powerful thing!
     
  10. For worship? Going down the wrong long road.

    Without knowing more, just going on my worship leader background.

    .....

    it's rare that a worship band needs "more volume"... in a worship setting people have a different definition of "loud" and "joyful"

    I'd bet your monitors may be the culprit (either iem or wedges... or washes)

    I'd guess that your entire band would do better by turning down vs you turning up.

    ----

    For worship environments, my primary bass amp is a down fire 1-10 cabinet w head. Periodically I'll use one of several single speaker kickback ~100w amps I own.

    Remember people hear with their eyes... they see a big amp, they'll hear loud.
     
  11. Another worship environment note (for lurkers)...

    Unless there's a highly trained crew, subs often create bigger issues than they solve in a worship setting... this is due to room, and setup.
     
  12. otherclef

    otherclef Guest

    Aug 10, 2011
    Charleston
    I guess it depends who you are worshiping.

    If Satan, then I would go with a 4x18 + 12x12 and add 20x10 to balance out the highs.

    If God, then just keep using the Sans. He hears you regardless...
     
  13. Our Church was portable for several years. All electric instruments had cabs on stage, and were mic'd to a board for FOH. The mix also came back to stage, through monitors. Now and then, one player would get his/her new fancy rig. Yea, good power... and "fuller" sound. But now, ya can't hear any of the other instruments. They turn up, or get new fancy rigs. The WL needed an hour just to get a half decent mix in the monitors.
     
  14. Aldonis

    Aldonis Guest

    Mar 22, 2010
    Omaha, NE
    Some good responses and funny ones too! Thanks for the help. HS Auditorium that holds approx 650 in amphitheater style seating. Hard brick walls, not much sound attenuation. Very live room... Drums are setting the sound level/ floor. Bass is good in foh, but need a little more on stage. Wedge monitors aren't getting it done... We'll see if we can demo a small cab...