Thanks - I thought that would be the case but just had to be sure! Appreciate your patience with a noob! (Not a player noob but definitely a cab science noob.)
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Big E speakers: Pt 2
- Thread starter Chef
- Start date
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WARNING - Non-scientific comparison - WARNING
Ok, took the 4x6 and Baer ML112 out on the morning gig. There are no frequency plots and I didn't try to do anything remotely controlled. Basically I put the cabinets next to each other and swapped between songs. I didn't change eq on the amp (flat), and didn't tweak much on the bass.
Basses were Rob Allen Deep 4 and Fodera YYD (PJ w/Pope). Monique tube preamp into Demeter Minnie power amp. If you want to only listen to something short
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (4x6)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (Baer)
That's it in a nutshell - differently voiced cabs. I'm betting that I can one close to the other with eq, though more easily with the Puma than Monique.
Recorder is Zoom H4N. Ignore the many clams - after all, 8AM downbeat?!?
If you're a glutton for punishment:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (Baer in the beginning, switched to 4x6 at the end)
If you're really a glutton:
Set 1 (outdoors on a balcony, recorder on a railing)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] 4x6
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] Baer
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] Baer
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] 4x6
2nd set (indoors, recorder on the floor in front of the band)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] 4x6
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] Baer
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] 4x6
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] 4x6
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] Baer
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] 4x6
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] Baer
Ok, took the 4x6 and Baer ML112 out on the morning gig. There are no frequency plots and I didn't try to do anything remotely controlled. Basically I put the cabinets next to each other and swapped between songs. I didn't change eq on the amp (flat), and didn't tweak much on the bass.
Basses were Rob Allen Deep 4 and Fodera YYD (PJ w/Pope). Monique tube preamp into Demeter Minnie power amp. If you want to only listen to something short
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (4x6)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (Baer)
That's it in a nutshell - differently voiced cabs. I'm betting that I can one close to the other with eq, though more easily with the Puma than Monique.
Recorder is Zoom H4N. Ignore the many clams - after all, 8AM downbeat?!?
If you're a glutton for punishment:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (Baer in the beginning, switched to 4x6 at the end)
If you're really a glutton:
Set 1 (outdoors on a balcony, recorder on a railing)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] 4x6
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] Baer
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] Baer
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] 4x6
2nd set (indoors, recorder on the floor in front of the band)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] 4x6
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] Baer
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] 4x6
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] 4x6
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] Baer
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] 4x6
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] Baer
I could be happy with either one. If you run into one for awhile you forget what the other sounds like. I think running flat and out of the the box the Baer is closer to the voices I hear in my head. I tend to like a fairly aggressive mid profile and the ML112 has that. The 4x6 is more polite there, but dialing up some mids on the bass gives a nice bit of edge.
As always it comes down to personal preference - a bit more low/mid push vs midrange bite. Both are great cabs that will get really loud. The 4x6 especially feels like it would like to be ridden hard and put away wet..
As always it comes down to personal preference - a bit more low/mid push vs midrange bite. Both are great cabs that will get really loud. The 4x6 especially feels like it would like to be ridden hard and put away wet..
Thanks for these recordings. They sounded better with the mike on the railing. Both cabs sound very good. The Baer sounds like it was floating more on top of the music (punchy?) while the Big E felt more embedded with the music. I liked the fretless Deep 4 better with the Big E, and the electric bass better with the Baer. But again, it all sounded great! Just different flavors.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
How would you compare their dispersion characteristics, and their respective abilities to be heard clearly when playing without turning up or compromising on sound quality in the near-field?
I didn't really move when I was playing so hard to say. I had no problem hearing myself with either cabinet - just different flavors. I will say that second set I was seated and I got on better with the 4x6 (as opposed to standing in the first set). I suspect that may have something to do with running it vertical. The other thing to consider is instrumentation and drummer. I think with a more open mix the 4x6 is a bit more "supportive" whereas the Baer is more "listen to me." In a more dense mix things can flip.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
One more quick data point. After getting home from gig #3 I decided to plug the Puma 900 into the cabs. That is a better match with the 4x6 than Monique/Minnie imho. Easy to push the tone around and the 4x6 does take eq well. I actually wish I'd taken the 4x6 to tonight's gig as I was under cab'd. Only had a single ML112 and turns out it was a large hotel ballroom with no FOH. Plenty of stage volume but wasn't pushing out into the room.
Well, not sure the 4x6 would have carried the room either, but would have been a good experiment. I was just too burned out on 3rd gig of the day to haul a second cab. I have 4 sets tomorrow in a room I know so maybe I'll do another A/B.
edwinhurwitz
Supporting Member
I'm glad someone around here is playing a bunch of gigs!
I'm very happy I don't work myself like that anymore. I got to gigging so much that when I took a break and started law school in 2009 at the age of 48 my blood pressure went way down. So, I've been recommending law school to my musician friends as a way to reduce stress!
Keep us posted on how it goes, these reports are really helpful!
I'm glad someone around here is playing a bunch of gigs!
I'm very happy I don't work myself like that anymore. I got to gigging so much that when I took a break and started law school in 2009 at the age of 48 my blood pressure went way down. So, I've been recommending law school to my musician friends as a way to reduce stress!
Keep us posted on how it goes, these reports are really helpful!
lol. sure, wait until the bar exam.
edwinhurwitz
Supporting Member
Yeah, I was scheduled for that last summer but then my son was born into some serious trauma in June, so it was postponed. After that experience, everything else is a breeze. He's fine, glad to say. Better than fine, the kid at 9 months has a better groove than most drummers I hear! Life isn't boring, that's for sure!
Thanks for for all of the MP3s - that's some great information. Each of the cabs takes turns sounds more appropriate depending on the song and the bass you're using. Too bad we can't bring multiple cabs and swap them like we swap basses! 
Any comments from band members or audience members regarding either cab?
Any comments from band members or audience members regarding either cab?
No, my wife who is generally my sonic barometer wasn't at any of the gigs. I guess I need a wireless so I can go play from the back of the house
Side note: It's good to see someone unafraid to try something new on such a scale at a more mature (I don't mean old, I mean not right out of undergrad) age. Good luck with it all!
I'm glad someone around here is playing a bunch of gigs!
I'm very happy I don't work myself like that anymore. I got to gigging so much that when I took a break and started law school in 2009 at the age of 48 my blood pressure went way down. So, I've been recommending law school to my musician friends as a way to reduce stress!
Thanks for all of the trouble taken to post clips and comments.
The Big E's were voiced based on the Puma and EA amps. I like lows but hate a big low end. What I was going for was a balance from the low to high bass. Since I knew that it would be focused and not boomy I went for a lot of extension and a warm but focused low end. I wanted neutral mids and a very hifi high end extension.
To me--I find that I can dial in extra aggression in the mids if needed, but with most speakers it's hard to dial in more warmth and girth. When you do, you lose definition and things can get boomy. With the Big E I find it pretty easy to dial the bass back if needed. With the Puma it's a piece of cake. The lower mid control is righ in the upper bass area as I would call it. The Taste control works very well with the Big E. Slight turn to the left would probably get you where you want to be.
An interesting observation of Dirt Poor---you can cut bass back quite a bit and still get a full sound in the room
I was joking about gig #3. You would be surprised at how much sound it can throw into a room. These days the sound guys just have me set at a comfortable stage level---they don't add too much bass in the mains. Usually just a bit of mids and highs.
There is a bit of a learning curve with these puppies
The Big E's were voiced based on the Puma and EA amps. I like lows but hate a big low end. What I was going for was a balance from the low to high bass. Since I knew that it would be focused and not boomy I went for a lot of extension and a warm but focused low end. I wanted neutral mids and a very hifi high end extension.
To me--I find that I can dial in extra aggression in the mids if needed, but with most speakers it's hard to dial in more warmth and girth. When you do, you lose definition and things can get boomy. With the Big E I find it pretty easy to dial the bass back if needed. With the Puma it's a piece of cake. The lower mid control is righ in the upper bass area as I would call it. The Taste control works very well with the Big E. Slight turn to the left would probably get you where you want to be.
An interesting observation of Dirt Poor---you can cut bass back quite a bit and still get a full sound in the room
I was joking about gig #3. You would be surprised at how much sound it can throw into a room. These days the sound guys just have me set at a comfortable stage level---they don't add too much bass in the mains. Usually just a bit of mids and highs.
There is a bit of a learning curve with these puppies
I was messing around with the Puma and it mates really with the the 4x6. Upper mids can add in some edge and taste takes it from edgy to warmer as well. I'd forgotten how great that head is.
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