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Bass Combo Amp: possible to use it to hear your sound AND others as a monitor speaker?

rooftop

rooftop

Sep 11, 2023
10
6
Detroit
#1
Hi TBers,

I am thinking of getting a bass combo amp to hear the bass sound more clearly at a small venue that fits about 150 to maximum 200. Currently the venue has two monitor speakers on stage for 2-3 vocals, 1 keyboard, 1 acoustic guitar, and 1 bass guitar.

* An illustration of the current setup of the stage:
Slide1.PNG


Question1: it is possible to use a bass combo amp for dual purposes?
1) Listening to your own bass sound
2) Monitor speaker for you to hear others (guitar, vocals, keys, etc)
I see that a rumble 200 (as an example, I don't have any bass combo amp now) has an Aux In. Can I use that to listen to others' sounds?


My main purpose to purchase a bass combo amp is to hear myself better and others. I do not plan to use it to replace the main PA speakers because I do not want to give hard time for the sound team. My hope is to use it for me and possibly a drummer.

Question 2: Or should I just get a monitor speaker with two inputs? One input for a bass guitar, and one input for the PA system



* Question 1 in an image:
Slide2.PNG


Any help would be greatly appreciated.

FYI:
My budget for a bass combo amp or a monitor speaker is around $500.
With that money I can get Fender Rumble 200, Acoustic B300C 1X15 300W, Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-115 1x15 200W.
I am not so sure about what I can get with $500 for a monitor speaker as of now.

If you could share some recommendations for either a bass combo amp or a monitor speaker, that would be awesome.

Thank you for reading this long post!
 
Last edited:
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#3
Yes it can be done...with the right knowledge and widgets.

The Aux In is intended for a CD player or something similar. Per the OM, it expects a signal at about -10dBu (max). So it may be difficult to get a good signal to noise ratio and avoid clipping if you drive it with a line-level Aux Send. You may need to run an inline attenuator to knock the signal down a bit.

The Shure A15AS is an example of an inline attenuator that is switchable (-15dB, -20dB, -25dB) Max input level is about 17dBu.
upload_2024-3-16_22-53-36.png


The are cheaper options. For example, check out the Whirlwind IMP PAD...it comes in -10dB, -20dB, -30dB, -40dB. I could not find a max input spec, but Whirlwind says it works at line level.
upload_2024-3-16_22-58-19.png



The other factor is the amp's Aux In is unbalanced stereo and expects a mini TRS plug. The best way to patch in will be to use and isolation transformer. For example: Morley MHE-2
upload_2024-3-16_23-9-0.png

The MHE-2 converts the signal from balanced XLR to either 1/4" balanced TRS or 1/4" unbalanced TS. You would also need and adapter to go from 1/4" TS to the mini TRS. I believe you would only need to wire up one side of the mini TRS since the amp is mono.

Another way to do it would be to run the amp's Effects Send to a DI. Send the DI to FOH and have them build a mix. Then patch your monitor send back into the amp's Return. The benefit is the Return expects a line level signal, so you don't need an inline pad. The Return is unbalanced 1/4" TS, so you may still need the isolation transformer if a ground loop forms. Otherwise, you can try rigging up an XLR to 1/4" TS adapter. I have actually done something pretty similar.
 
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#5
Not sure I would want to hear vocals coming out of a bass amp, keep in mind that the amp most likely will be behind you not the best speaker position for monitoring or for that matter actually hearing what your bass sounds like coming out of the amp.
.......While I did not take time to pull up the manual, if the amps AUX input is also routed to the built in amp DI XLR out that would not work well as in don't do it.
 
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#6
I very much doubt a bass amp would deliver much in the way of clarity for vocals, guitar etc, and I think it would make the overall sound in the venue more muddy. AIUI the aux in on bass amps is primarily intended for solo practice so you have something to play along with.

What are you playing through at the moment? I'm a bit puzzled by your image, because it seems to show a bass amp and then you tell us you haven't got one.
 
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#8
rooftop said:
Hi TBers,

I am thinking of getting a bass combo amp to hear the bass sound more clearly at a small venue that fits about 150 to maximum 200. Currently the venue has two monitor speakers on stage for 2-3 vocals, 1 keyboard, 1 acoustic guitar, and 1 bass guitar.

* An illustration of the current setup of the stage:
View attachment 5388098

Question1: it is possible to use a bass combo amp for dual purposes?
1) Listening to your own bass sound
2) Monitor speaker for you to hear others (guitar, vocals, keys, etc)
I see that a rumble 200 (as an example, I don't have any bass combo amp now) has an Aux In. Can I use that to listen to others' sounds?


My main purpose to purchase a bass combo amp is to hear myself better and others. I do not plan to use it to replace the main PA speakers because I do not want to give hard time for the sound team. My hope is to use it for me and possibly a drummer.

Question 2: Or should I just get a monitor speaker with two inputs? One input for a bass guitar, and one input for the PA system



* Question 1 in an image:
View attachment 5388099

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

FYI:
My budget for a bass combo amp or a monitor speaker is around $500.
With that money I can get Fender Rumble 200, Acoustic B300C 1X15 300W, Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-115 1x15 200W.
I am not so sure about what I can get with $500 for a monitor speaker as of now.

If you could share some recommendations for either a bass combo amp or a monitor speaker, that would be awesome.

Thank you for reading this long post!
Click to expand...

You might think about a Keybord amp. They come with multiple inputs with volume controls which would solve balancing issues you may have from a single feed loop with all the instruments lumped together. Keyboard amps can produce a nice bass sound for synth bass parts, why not an actual bass? You will need a feed from your monitor system. Roland might be a good rid to check out.

The downside is you would like likely need FOH support in your application.
 
#9
1. You want a powered monitor speaker for this, not a bass amp or keyboard amp etc. It will sound better and have the proper connections.

2. Is that picture of the actual unit at the venue? The venue only has 2 channels for monitors, each with only a single speaker?

If the venue has more outputs available then its as simple as bringing your new monitor, plugging it in, and telling them what you want in it. If they don't have any more available outputs, then things just got a whole lot more complicated. The simplest method would be to daisy chain off the nearest venue monitor into your own and then use a DI to send your bass to the second channel of your monitor. Beyond that the level of complexity will start to increase rapidly beyond the point of being reasonable IMHO.
 
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#10
rooftop said:
Hi TBers,

I am thinking of getting a bass combo amp to hear the bass sound more clearly at a small venue that fits about 150 to maximum 200. Currently the venue has two monitor speakers on stage for 2-3 vocals, 1 keyboard, 1 acoustic guitar, and 1 bass guitar.

* An illustration of the current setup of the stage:
View attachment 5388098

Question1: it is possible to use a bass combo amp for dual purposes?
1) Listening to your own bass sound
2) Monitor speaker for you to hear others (guitar, vocals, keys, etc)
I see that a rumble 200 (as an example, I don't have any bass combo amp now) has an Aux In. Can I use that to listen to others' sounds?


My main purpose to purchase a bass combo amp is to hear myself better and others. I do not plan to use it to replace the main PA speakers because I do not want to give hard time for the sound team. My hope is to use it for me and possibly a drummer.

Question 2: Or should I just get a monitor speaker with two inputs? One input for a bass guitar, and one input for the PA system



* Question 1 in an image:
View attachment 5388099

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

FYI:
My budget for a bass combo amp or a monitor speaker is around $500.
With that money I can get Fender Rumble 200, Acoustic B300C 1X15 300W, Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-115 1x15 200W.
I am not so sure about what I can get with $500 for a monitor speaker as of now.

If you could share some recommendations for either a bass combo amp or a monitor speaker, that would be awesome.

Thank you for reading this long post!
Click to expand...
I'm in a vocals driven acoustic/electric band, so keeping stage volume manageable for us is key. My amplifier (currently a Phil Jones Cub-Pro) has a D.I. and is my onstage monitor, but we also all use Mackie SRM-150 powered monitors (which sit on mic stands) to hear all vocals and other instruments onstage. The audience hears what comes through the P.A. This works well for us.
F8 CMNC 2018 Band Singing.jpg

upload_2024-3-17_11-12-15.png
 
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#12
If your amp is facing the front of the stage, and you're running mic'd sources with the mics in line-of-sight with the amp (like vocals), you may run into feed back issues. Other bad side effects is having a less than ideal sound of other sources through a bass amp being heard by the audience. Most monitors face the rear of the stage as most microphones reject signal from the rear really well.
 
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#14
rooftop said:
Question1: it is possible to use a bass combo amp for dual purposes?
1) Listening to your own bass sound
2) Monitor speaker for you to hear others (guitar, vocals, keys, etc)
I see that a rumble 200 (as an example, I don't have any bass combo amp now) has an Aux In. Can I use that to listen to others' sounds?
Click to expand...

Yes, it is possible. I did it with Markbass LM250 and DIY 10" cab with horn. There is not a very good sound but enough even for monitoring own vocal.

Mayby better use rumble 500 (2x10") then 200 (1x15")...? idk...

As to config from "Question 1 in an image" the main problem is that (according to Rumble manual) its LINE OUT signal is send just before power amp and includes aux signal too. So you need a separate DI before amp to send only bass signal to FOH. It could be any preamp with DI out (like BDDI, Sadowsky SBP-1 etc.). DI to FOH, out to combo. Of course you can choose other combo with PRE/POST DI (as my Markbass, for instance).

Solution for signal conversions from mixer balanced line to unbalanced aux input in combo is ART DTI (passive) or ART CleanBoxPro (active) , look here: Utilities – ART Pro Audio . Works. Signal level must be controlled from mixer as usual with monitors.
 
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#16
Bassquest said:
If you don't have a bass combo now, why not get the Rumble 200 for stand alone gigs? The aux in will work to get a signal from the PA to hear the whole band and I think you will still be able to bring up your own level on stage if needed. Maybe someone can correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...
It will still sound pretty awful.
 
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#19
IMG_0643.jpeg
The combo I have here has a direct out that is switchable for pre or post eq and can get about 250RMS without the 4x10 and can mellow out well enough to be heard but not overpower stage monitors. Again, with a good attenuator you could couple signals to the aux. I think for your purposes a multichannel powered pa speaker might be better.
 
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