Big outdoor Gig- IEM's- Rig advice?

[bassvi]

I am playing a show this evening outdoors in a large beer tent before and after REO Speedwagon (they are on the main stage, of course) There is pro sound provided and even a guy onstage to run monitors for us.

The band I'm working with uses IEM's.... I am old school and still trying to get used to performing with them.... sometimes I like them a lot, other times not so much....I know this is the way to go but still trying to get confortable with the virtual-feel in performance.

I know I don't need much stage volume and don't want to make the sound guy's job difficult.... but I'm trying to decide what to take for an amp. I have a Marshall VBA 400 and matching 4x12 cab that sounds amazing even at "low" volume (the band is classic rock, Journey, Styx, Kansas, etc) but I'm not sure if the Marshall will be too much even outdoors. I could take a 2x12 cab (GBNeo2x12xt) and probably be more than adequate, but it just doesn't sound as good as the 4x12 to me. The 4x12 weighs 100 lbs, the 2x12 around 50lbs.

I saw Counting Crows on Good Morning America yesterday and the bass player had an SVT but they all had IEM's. Are amps onstage now just monitors or props? Is the PA getting tone from the amps- I know from guitars, but if bass is DI does it matter?

Bottom line, I want to do my best on this gig, play it smart and efficient but still have a good time with my gear. I'd love to use my Marshall (guitarist uses 100w head and 4x12 at every gig and is not too loud) but willing to compromise if it makes the band sound better..... I have a lot of smaller options I could go to if needed. Any pro's out there have advice you would like to share?

 

[Keithwah]

A couple things, Take the smaller rig. The soundguys will probably take a DI before the rig and possibly also place a mic on your cab. If you have a good low volume rig, take that.

Secondly, I know those guys and have done many shows with them over the years having also originally been from Champaign IL myself. Be prepared to have them "nudge" in after their show onto your stage. They are legendary for dropping in on bands in bars!

Hope you have a great time!

 

[Groove Doctor]

2x12 will do most gigs. I have a pair of 2x12's I take to a gig - I leave one in the car if overkill, or pull it out if needed.

IEM's - a good sound depends a lot on both the mix (levels) AND the EQing (tone) of each channel with IEM's. I often ask to drop the lows in the guitar, increase the treble 'click' in the kick drum.

Ambient mics make a huge difference as does going stereo - lead vox and bass the only things centered, the rest 70/30 one side or the other.

Get some practice doing FOH or monitor mixing and you'll learn more in an hour than you will in a year reading forums.

 

[Johnny Crab]

After DECADES of dragging around too much gear, downsizing, and still fighting FOH with the LOW END part of my sound....I made an accidental discovery. I took my son's Behringer BX1200(Hartke 12" tiltback clone) to a gig....it worked fine. It worked better and the speaker was less "jumpy" after I inserted an MXR 10 band pedal EQ in front of it. Using a small amp with the bass EQ'd out of it but mid and highs left normal or boosted a bit worked fine as FOH subs, low cabs, and drummer's monitor provided more than enough bottom for me. This was soundcheck at the last "BIG" outdoor show. Note the subs and low cabs right behind my tiltback amp. The entire right side of the stage can be filled with "cut thru" and "clarity" from that "small" 12" speaker EQ'd correctly.

We played with Kevin Black(Clint's brother) at a charity event and their bassist offered me his GK because he thought I didn't have an amp(backline). I said "No but thanks anyway" and showed him my setup. Soundmen LOVE it because my rig is not killing them or coloring the FOH.

Heart's soundman agrees with what I'm doing(letting the FOH do the heavy lifting on the low end).

My 2 cents FWIW.

 

[bassvi]

Thanks for the responses everyone. It seems unanimous the smaller rig is all that's needed and a safer bet for keeping stage levels workable.

The visual of the big rig onstage is seductive though and from purely showbiz perspective adds mojo. I guess that makes me a poser of sorts but I love amps and a cool looking amp inspires me. (I figure I'm pretty boring to look at so at least my gear can be attractive

I actually did use the VBA and VBC 412 with no problems. They thought it was a guitar rig at first, they didn't know it has a nice DI. I kept the volume low and didn't get any requests to cut down. We used the IEMs, drummer played miked acoustic kit, crowd gave us a good response. I have to say the sound crew was excellent and everyone said we sounded great. As an old-timer I felt pretty comfortable with the combination of reasonable stage volume and IEMs with no wedges. Starship and REO put on great show, though the crowd was not super into Starship. Mickey Thomas sounded amazing as ever. Crowd was definitely there for REO. Overall it was a magical and memorable gig.