Well, this is the unique situation in which bassists find themselves. SOP for guitars is a mic. But more and more you see guitarists using the AxeFx, Kemper Profiling Amp and 2 Notes Torpedo providing a cabinet simulation via DI to FOH. For years, many touring pros would use the Palmer speaker simulators.
SOP for bassists is a direct box or direct feed from a preamp, and sometimes you may be indulged in a mic if you want it, but only if the situation actually warrants it with a willing sound mixer, or if the status of your gig allows you to get your wish list indulged. If your bass tone is all good with a straight, full range, direct feed, then we're not talking about you here. We're talking about getting the sound of a mic'd bass cabinet.
This is why unleashing the potential of cabinet emulated Impulse Responses should be something the modern bassist needs to consider for both sonic and practical reasons. I use a rig that employs cabinet simulations (for those times when I prefer them over unfettered direct feed). So, not only am I happy with the tone from my direct feed, but the sound tech is not freaked out by some "maverick" asking for an MD421 aimed 1" off of the cone edge of my top right speaker. If I've properly done my homework with the tone of the bass cabinet simulation, then the job of the FOH mixer (and monitor mixer) is 10x easier, since they'll need to do very little channel strip EQ in order to get me up and running. In addition, I can employ IRs that were acquired with the mic "backed off" the speaker a few inches (if that's where the speaker sounds best), or even "far field" if I like, which is something that would rarely be indulged in a high SPL live situation with a rock band.
Part of this equation is the bassist at the helm, and what they feel is essential. If you're very particular about your tone both on stage and out front, and you regularly perform in situations where the vast majority of the audience will hear bass reinforced by FOH rather than stage level, then IMO it is worth exploring IR technology and high quality cabinet sims. Heck, there are plenty of players out there who think nothing of dropping $200+ EACH on a quality bass synth, fuzz, or compressor stomp. So, the logic here is that it is all for nothing if ultimately you have to put up a fight just to get the sound you really want to the FOH mixer. IR capable devices solve this problem. JMHO.
