I have a decent 808 hit I've found and tried to use at our last gig but it couldn't be heard. Not exactly sure on the house system they used but the rack unit suggested a total of 15,000 Watts with 615s and some random 12s and wedges. Was it their crossover or what? I went direct out of the keys to foh, did i need a preamp or should i consider a wall of 18s with my own power amp and crossover? Any help would be very awesome! Thank you!
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bass hit 808 bass drop help
- Thread starter jeffroloc
- Start date
I highly recommend against bringing a "wall of 18's". That's an awful lot of work for a single bass hit.
Did you soundcheck it? Did the FOH guy know it was coming? Huge bass hits are a great way to launch voice coils across rooms if you aren't extremely careful; keep that in mind. Most PA installations aren't in perfect shape to begin with, and may be riding on the ragged edge of disaster. This weekend, I'll be mixing two nights on a system in which only 2 of the 6 subs actually work. So, a 140dB 808 drop may not be possible in the venue you're in.
Did you soundcheck it? Did the FOH guy know it was coming? Huge bass hits are a great way to launch voice coils across rooms if you aren't extremely careful; keep that in mind. Most PA installations aren't in perfect shape to begin with, and may be riding on the ragged edge of disaster. This weekend, I'll be mixing two nights on a system in which only 2 of the 6 subs actually work. So, a 140dB 808 drop may not be possible in the venue you're in.
It's hard to say what the FOH was doing to the keys channel strips. He might have been engaging the high pass filter on that channel(s), or the subs might have been off or turned down.
We have an 808 on our SPDS pad that we use for 1 song in our set, and it really gets the 18's in our system moving. It's the bassiest thing we do, actually. We soundcheck the SPDS with that sample, and a bongo sound, so the soundman can tune the channel to sound pretty awesome. That is something you absolutely want to soundcheck, and the soundman will probably roll up the volume so he knows how far he can safely take it. We have been using it for a long time. A pair of single 18s do a fine job on it in a small bar.
Wes
We have an 808 on our SPDS pad that we use for 1 song in our set, and it really gets the 18's in our system moving. It's the bassiest thing we do, actually. We soundcheck the SPDS with that sample, and a bongo sound, so the soundman can tune the channel to sound pretty awesome. That is something you absolutely want to soundcheck, and the soundman will probably roll up the volume so he knows how far he can safely take it. We have been using it for a long time. A pair of single 18s do a fine job on it in a small bar.
Wes
Exactly that's why i was wondering about establishing my own setup. They did NOT know it was coming prior to sound check but we did fiddle with during sound check. The sine wave could be heard in upper octaves but nothing lower than maybe 180hz. If i were to get 2-4 18s and maybe 4000 watt power amp with a crossover you think that'll do the trick?
If you go ahead and give that rig to the FOH so the rest of the band can use it, I think it's a great idea 
If you are going to haul that much gear, help everyone sound better and share it. Your bass, keys, drums, and toms will sound better out in the audience. I wouldn't do it for stage volume though. But It' something you don't need to hear on stage that well. You will feel it in the room as the ceiling tiles start to vibrate and dust starts to fall into your buddies drinks!
Wes
If you are going to haul that much gear, help everyone sound better and share it. Your bass, keys, drums, and toms will sound better out in the audience. I wouldn't do it for stage volume though. But It' something you don't need to hear on stage that well. You will feel it in the room as the ceiling tiles start to vibrate and dust starts to fall into your buddies drinks!
Wes
Wes Whitmore said:
Yes that's exactly what i want! I agree using the rig for everyone will sound great but using a dedicated system for the bass drop would preserve the drivers right? Having it hitting as hard as possible but only sporadically will keep heat and over excursion at a minimum. Just a thought. I appreciate everyone's feedback you guys rock!
We aren't collecting grenades to use at only the right moment in time here..we are talking about making the band sound better. Consider that most bands only use 2-4 18"s for their whole band in a small to medium bar. You don't want those subs up on the stage as a keyboard rig, especially if you don't have subs in the FOH. If the place isn't big enough for subs in FOH, then dont bring them on stage either.
Regardless, this isn't cut and dry because most people don't bring in subs to supplement a lacking FOH. If the FOH has subs, then you should be using them. If they don't and you want them as part of your band's show, I wouldn't just let them borrow mine. YOu have no control over them. I either use their soundman with their own house equipment, or bring in a competent soundman that I know well. I don't let their soundguy use our FOH, ever, mainly for liability reasons. If they allow our soundguy to plug his board into their sound, thats fine. At least I have some idea of his abilities.
Wes
Regardless, this isn't cut and dry because most people don't bring in subs to supplement a lacking FOH. If the FOH has subs, then you should be using them. If they don't and you want them as part of your band's show, I wouldn't just let them borrow mine. YOu have no control over them. I either use their soundman with their own house equipment, or bring in a competent soundman that I know well. I don't let their soundguy use our FOH, ever, mainly for liability reasons. If they allow our soundguy to plug his board into their sound, thats fine. At least I have some idea of his abilities.
Wes
I agree with that to a point. The sound as a whole is most important. However, i must disagree with the grenade theory, an 808 is supposed to be empowering and for a brief moment, take center stage. It needs to take control and leave people wowed
It won't be quieter in the FOH, where it's supposed to be. You won't be able to control it like the soundman can either. It just doesn't make sense to do it any other way, honestly.
Wes
Wes
Foh is who it's intended for but us on stage should feel that as well. Honestly i think the keys were rolled off but i never had a chance to discuss prior to or after the show with foh. If it wasn't rolled off and their subs are functional, would the keys need a preamp and crossover? I need to cover all bases before next Weeks show
Yes i did. The kick was chesty and my 5 string had nice low response...they boosted me in the, what sounded like 5k???? I hated that but the bass in the house was great
Sounds like the FOH was working your sound over. It could have been hpf, eq, or even compression. Just try to soundcheck the 808 after you line check and see what it sounds like, and what he has to say about it. What he does might make it sound better on everything else but the 808.
Wes
Wes
Most rock players are heavy handed with their left, making a mess of the mix. As such, he had the bottom rolled off of the keys until it was demonstrated to him that he could put the bottom back in. If one is using drops, he should tell the mixperson so he can give extra attention to the levels and (if applicable) his comp.
