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Double Bass Big stage and PAs

Norre

Norre

Jan 5, 2001
465
49
51
Antwerp, Belgium
users.telenet.be
#1
I was wondering what you guys use for amplification (FOH + stage) on a big stage.
Do you use a DI or a mic in front of your cabinet? Or maybe both?
Do you have any specific demands for the sound guys?
I'm asking this because our bandleader is putting together a technical rider and asked me if I had any demands or remarks. I'm not used to playing on big stages so all advice is welcome.

Thanks,

KN
 
#2
Bring your own preamp/DI. The DI's provided by FOH are more often than not passive, which is less than ideal for piezo.

If you are getting backlined rigs, I'd just ask for a 410 and GK head. Not the best amp, but you're a lot more likely to get it than some booteak jobber and that will work with effort for onstage sound.
 
#3
Since I got a mini amp, EA Doubler, I take it to all backline gigs to use with their cabinet, usually a 410 in my experience. Most soundmen have been happy with the direct out and I like having my own amp for sound and familiarity. There are many mini's to choose from now. There's no harm in asking for particular equipment for backline, but unless it's GK or another commonly used rig (Eden, Ampeg…) it's doubtful you'll get it from most sound companies.

Leave it to the sound guys to decide how they want to get your sound to FOH. Most I've worked with like to do their job their way. You could also bring your own clip on (or other) mic to offer up.
 
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#4
I work with a touring Rat Pack show with an eight piece band that is on stage. I have played in many theatres in Scotland and northern England. While I don't have all the answers, here is what I do. I have a Revolution Solo pick up on my bass. I always take with me an Acoustic Image Focus series 3 amp and a small speaker, generally a Bare Faced Midget or an AI Ten-2X. The speaker is a backup in case the sound crew does not have adequate monitoring. If there is a separate monitor for the bass and the soundboard is capable of producing multiple monitor mixes so that I can be sure that I will be able to hear myself, then I use the Focus as a preamp with the master volume turned fully off and the house line plugged into the DI on the Focus. I set the Focus to give the house a post EQ signal although I generally set the EQ controls on the Focus flat. The reason for the post EQ signal is so that I can use the high pass filter to take all of the frequencies below about 85 Hz out of my signal. I always tell the sound person that I'm using the HP filter and ask them to please not try and add any of the low frequencies back. I've tried just going into the house DI w no preamp but the sound was not as good and I didn't like the total lack of control.

If the monitoring is inadequate or I have questions about the capabilities of the sound crew, then I have the speaker to fall back on as my own personal monitor with enough power to cover the full stage with my sound. Another important feature of the focus is a totally silent mute switch so that I can leave the stage with no fear of my instrument feeding back. I get a lot of compliments from the other guys in the band about my sound on stage. Of course, I have no idea what it sounds like out front--all of us have to trust and rely on the sound crew for that.

Erik Hansen
Scotland
 
#6
Norre said:
I was wondering what you guys use for amplification (FOH + stage) on a big stage.
Do you use a DI or a mic in front of your cabinet? Or maybe both?
Do you have any specific demands for the sound guys?
I'm asking this because our bandleader is putting together a technical rider and asked me if I had any demands or remarks. I'm not used to playing on big stages so all advice is welcome.

Thanks,

KN
Click to expand...

Norre,
If the system has separate monitor channels so the bass is on it's own isolated channel, then I take my Headway EDB-2 it's perfect for that, but it's not likely that the venue providers
will have on. It's well worth the cost of the unit, for it's feature set. Many frontline companies have the Countryman 85, or can get access to one it works great with piezo's

Ric
 
#7
Dear Norre,
All of the posters have good advice, I thought I would add my two cents. Feedback is the biggest impediment you will face with big systems, after that is solved, the rest is manageable. The one HUGE help for me when playing large stages is the fDeck HPF (high pass filter/preamp) to tame feedback. You get buffering of the piezo signal, serious HPF, and a phase switch. I played a semi large outdoor festival last weekend ( I was set up about three feet away from the mains!) and used only the HPF in line to the house, used the stage monitors, and the sound worked out fine. It's small and a bargain, too.

Have fun! A3
 
#8
Thanks for all the replies and advice! Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately :-) ) I never had the opportunity to use a backline rig. I always bring my own gear. I've had some good and a lot of bad experiences with soundguys. Most of them think a double bass should sound like a bassguitar in a rock band. I try to talk to them before soundcheck about how I'd like to sound. I was just wondering if you have any specific things you ask when you gig or do you completely trust the soundman?
I also have a question about using a dedicated monitor as your bass amp. How does that work? Do you ask to mount it on a pole or do you just leave it on the ground aimed at your bass (feedback trap)? I also don't really like the idea of leaving your entire oon-stage sound in the hands of somebody else ...

Thx
 
#10
Norre said:
I also have a question about using a dedicated monitor as your bass amp. How does that work? Do you ask to mount it on a pole or do you just leave it on the ground aimed at your bass (feedback trap)? I also don't really like the idea of leaving your entire oon-stage sound in the hands of somebody else ...

Thx
Click to expand...

I have had mixed success whenever I've done this, never being really happy with it. The monitor is on the floor, but I never thought to ask about raising it. I don't recommend relying on this method for your personal stage sound as you don't have any control. Things usually change on stage soundwise once the performance starts. The sound company will also have to have enough monitor mixes and monitors available.

For me, it's not about trusting the sound company, it's about giving it up to them. That's their job, you can't control them and you won't know how it sounds FOH anyway.
 
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