Also has anyone run the studio 40 into an active PA cab via xlr? Was is suitable for a bar gig?
Oh cool, I always pass by a pair of K12.2s at my work and was always wondering how a bass sounds through one or two of these...
I mentioned earlier today that I would do some testing with my Stage 800 and a QSC K12.2 powered loudspeaker, and let ya'll know the results. Here are my findings:
Bottom line: If you connect a K12.2 to the
POST LINE OUT of the Stage 800, the sound is very similar to the combo cab even at the bottom end, and more articulate in the top-end. It actually sounds really, really good. I think tonal differences are due to a few factors:
- the single 12" (versus the 2x10") maintains the bottom end very well
- the K12.2 cab design cleans up some of the low-frequency resonance
- since the K12.2 is configured to be a full-range loudspeaker, the compression tweeter more prominent in the cabinet design, has it own power amp section, and is handling more of the signal (different crossover point)
I tried both the "DEFAULT" and the "BASS AMP" preset for the K12.2; but, I didn't really hear a noticeable difference between them. The QSC docs say the BASS AMP presets is supposed to provide "a voicing optimized to provide performance similar to that of a combo bass amplifier"; but, I could tell the difference in my tests.
The K12.2 (
which has a PEAK rating of 1800 W (LF), 225 W (HF) gets plenty loud with the LINE OUT / USB GAIN set to +6.0 dB (
which, I think, is the default. Setting it +0.0 dB GAIN is pretty loud, too. Going higher (up to +20.0 dB) gets louder and louder.). For me, I think it definitely would be suitable for small-mid sized indoor clubs, while running it at a conservative +6.0 on the LINE OUT GAIN, and with the K12.2 level set to the standard recommended setting of "0 dB plus 2 clicks".
Even though it gets loud, and the peak rating of the K12.2 is roughly 4x that of the Stage 800 (
without an extension cab), I don't think the additional wattage translates linearly to increased SPL. So, while I think it would work well in an indoor club environment, I think it would be questionable as to whether it would be powerful enough outdoors, where low frequencies can dissipate more easily. But then, that's also why I got the Rumble 210 extension cab: The Stage 800 combo alone wasn't powerful enough outdoors, in my opinion.
Given that the Studio 40 has the same LINE OUT capabilities as the Stage 800, I think these performance results would the same on the Studio 40.
So, @JediBassKnight is asking whether that kind of configuration would work for a club, and @Diver is curious specifically about the K12.2. My answer to you both is, yes, it would work in a wide range of scenarios, but perhaps not outdoors; and, it would sound great doing it.
As an aside, I tried my Bronco 40 through it, too. It sounded a little thin, but probably could have been EQ'd to sound good. It was not nearly as loud as the Stage 800. The Bronco 40 doesn't have a LINE OUT GAIN setting (
or, at least, I couldn't find it in Fuse). So, its signal was a bit weak, and the overall volume was much less. It could probably work in smaller settings; but, you'd probably do better to run it into a mixer to pre-amp the signal; then, either just send it to the mains, or send it to a K12.2 (
or other powered speaker) separately via an AUX.
Hope this helps y'all.
It was fun doing the testing, and it gave me something to do besides arguing with amateur virologists. Just kidding, I also replaced a damaged power connector on the circuit board of my DMX lighting controller. So, I was reasonably productive.
Now, if the bars would re-open so we can resume gigging!!!
Good luck, all. Stay healthy.
