Do we really need super powerful amps anymore?

[Kragnorak]

If your band is lucky enough to have a full range PA and a sound guy to run it, then fine, but the size of most venues in the UK means that the vast majority of UK bands use the PA as 'vocals only' and use their backline to mix the instruments from whichever corner they are jammed into.

This is crazy! I can confirm that if a U.S. bar regularly hosts bands (as opposed to singer with acoustic) they spring for a decent PA. I complained about the sound at one bar because they had a knackered speaker and an exposed ceiling duct that reflected sound and made the room sound awful. I didn't realize it until later but one of the people listening was related to the owner. Next time I played there, the speakers were all new as well as the sound board and the duct had been coated with some sort of sound deadening paint!

 

[s0c9]

This is crazy! I can confirm that if a U.S. bar regularly hosts bands (as opposed to singer with acoustic) they spring for a decent PA. I complained about the sound at one bar because they had a knackered speaker and an exposed ceiling duct that reflected sound and made the room sound awful. I didn't realize it until later but one of the people listening was related to the owner. Next time I played there, the speakers were all new as well as the sound board and the duct had been coated with some sort of sound deadening paint!

My experience says it depends on where you are and the music genre you play.. when I played rock/variety.. NONE of the venues we played had house PA ( I lie.. one did!) That's why I now have $25k+ of PA gear (8000w tri-amp passive PA + snakes, consoles, cables etc.) sitting idle.
When I switched to Country.. we have all but one of our regular venues/gigs with house-provided PA that we hook into. We still have our own PA as not all venues provide it.
Got a July 2nd gig where we have to bring our own!

 

[Kragnorak]

My experience says it depends on where you are and the music genre you play.. when I played rock/variety.. NONE of the venues we played had house PA ( I lie.. one did!)

Interesting. I was thinking about this a bit further... In my area, a lot of the bars that have cover bands seem to expect them to bring the PA, while those that host original bands (which means quite a lot of punk and metal) have PAs and often associated sound persons.

What is strange about this tendency is that the cover bands are the ones associated with money. Often in the original venues the music draws enough people to drink but not enough for the bands to get paid decent. BUT they are more prone to host a small national or international touring act. That is probably the motivation for the PA and then they have smaller shows more often to justify the cost.

 

[s0c9]

Interesting. I was thinking about this a bit further... In my area, a lot of the bars that have cover bands seem to expect them to bring the PA, while those that host original bands (which means quite a lot of punk and metal) have PAs and often associated sound persons.

What is strange about this tendency is that the cover bands are the ones associated with money. Often in the original venues the music draws enough people to drink but not enough for the bands to get paid decent. BUT they are more prone to host a small national or international touring act. That is probably the motivation for the PA and then they have smaller shows more often to justify the cost.

I have always done the cover thing, so not sure about the originals route locally.. but I would guess (from reading) that pay-to-play events have some level of PA provided...
My rock/variety band had our own sound guy.. Country..?? We run from stage when it's our PA.. not worth having a regular FOH guy when the House usually provides one.. tho' on occasion we HAVE brought in our own.. he's just not a permanent fixture.

 

[Robroy]

I voted no, but I run 1000 watts. I don't need it, but it was a cheap Crown XLS 1000, so why not?

Thing is, powerful amps are so cheap and light nowadays, they've sorta become just something you can easily do, rather than something you aspire to do.

I remember selling stereos in the 70's when all the big changes were really taking place. Cassette decks were getting better every year. Real breakthroughs in direct drive turntables and speaker design were happening all over the place. Everyone who was into it wanted that $99 AR turntable. Stacked advents were huge. Nakamichi cassette decks. And if you had a pair of pristine ADS L810 speakers today, they would blow the socks off most of the speakers people use today.

And here we are, 50 years later, and I STILL use my 1977 turntable and amplifier. The stuff reached a plateau and became a commodity for most people back in the 80's with the advent of the CD. It was fun to aspire to bigger stuff, when most people could not afford or justify it. Now that a big powerful system can be gotten for the same price, in 1970 dollars, as a starter system back then (and back then, starter really meant STARTER), the fun of acquiring it has almost been taken out of it.

So, I have the power because it cost just a bit more than getting far less, so why not. Meanwhile, If I ever actually NEED that much power it is because the stage volume is too %&$*&^ loud or the band or venue has scrimped on the PA, neither of which is acceptable. Nowadays, the only thing you need your rig and amp for are:
1. Backline - something for YOU to hear.
2. Small gig that doesn't really need a PA except for vocals (and kick drum. ALWAYS mic the kick drum).

For everything else, you have FOH.

And it's only getting more so every day.

 

[rtslinger]

imo, no as long as you have a decent sized PA system to support. I've played live with no amp just an amp modeling DI pedal.

 

[stratovani]

I'm getting there fast myself. Try as I have though I can't find any cabs I like more than the 50(ish)lb Bag End 15's...none that are any smaller or lighter anyway. Ok slight derail: I know there are lots of compact folding hand trucks out there but this one is especially good. It's very well built (the previous version served me well for over 15 years of hard use til it was stolen) and the new version has a curved handle that lets you load it higher than the handle. I've used a lot of these things and this is by far the best folder I've seen if not the least expensive. The worse my knees and back get the more a hand truck is an essential part of my kit and I'd rather spend a little more for something I'm not fighting and cursing.

That's the very same hand truck I use when I have to haul my gear around. I picked it up at Sears back in 2008, and it goes by a different brand name - the Magna-Cart - but it's the same. I use a couple of bungee cords to tie everything down, then I sling my gig bagged bass on my back, and I'm ready to go.

Jeff Bonny is right - get yourself a hand truck. Believe me, you'll be glad you did!

 

[Dbassmon]

iems with dynamic drivers actually do move air. I use sony 7550's with a 14 mm dynamic and you literally feel the low end. Aurasonic kickers are also amazing sounding iems with dynamic drivers

I am using Shure 425's which sound very good and have ample and tight low end, but the only air they are moving is in my ear canals. I don't feel the low end like I do from my cabs. Even at low volumes, the cabs move the hair on your legs, IEMs can't do that.

 

[greggcowanom]

I am using Shure 425's which sound very good and have ample and tight low end, but the only air they are moving is in my ear canals. I don't feel the low end like I do from my cabs. Even at low volumes, the cabs move the hair on your legs, IEMs can't do that.

very true.... my band always uses pretty big sound companies so i get that "boomy" feel from the FOH. I totally understand iem isnt for everyone. For me, the light travel and simple setup is worth giving up the power of a big rig.

 

[Fishyfishfish]

Should be loud enough for you to hear over drums with a good DI for house, light enough for you to carry up a flight of stairs and or fit in your car