If there is PA support, why have such a large rig on stage?

[glocke1]

Showing my ignorance here but I still don't really get the idea behind having a large rig on stage when there is PA support.

Check out the link below, where they give a rundown on the rig used by the bassist in Circles around the Sun.

Rig Rundown: Circles Around the Sun

The dude uses 3 15's. From a standpoint of wanting to hear yourself on stage I get it, but these guys play places with good PA support, why bring such a large rig?

 

[mongo2]

After decades of carting around large rigs, my goal now is to use as little amplification as I can and still hear myself. When I know a venue will have good PA support and adequate monitors I use only my SABDDI and let the PA do the heavy lifting.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Per the description, it's an attempt to emulate the GD's "Wall of Sound". Unsure as to whether it's appearance or performance focused. Is PA / FOH consistent venue-to-venue?

Riis

 

[buldog5151bass]

If you have adequate PA support, there are only a few reasons for an amp on stage:

1. Ego/optics
2. Tone sculpting (which is overrated in many cases, when a DI will do the job, and is what is used most of the time)
3. Stage volume (if there are monitor issues).

 

[dangevans]

Just for looks. I got over the "I have to have the biggest cabinet" mindset a long time ago. Now I use jusst enough volume for the drummer to hear me, and I adjust in my IEMs. So, tiny cabinet, tiny head, happier back.
...adn let's be honest- no one really cares about the image of the bass player... We are noticed by people only when we screw up or stop playing. LOL

 

[sleddogn]

sooooo many factors, monitor health/quality will drive this....

 

[Geri O]

I'm all for no bass rig and IEM monitors, but with the country artist I work for (a few hits in the early 2000s) and the 14-piece Blues Brothers-style band I'm in, those Luddites (and I've jokingly said that to them....) insist on using wedge monitors and also won't have a no-bass-rig stage, so I use a very nice Mesa 215 rig that's been plenty loud for most any situation we play in. Two or three members in each situation know where the volume controls and are free to come over and adjust the volume as they see fit (and can all agree on...)

 

[glocke1]

Per the description, it's an attempt to emulate the GD's "Wall of Sound". Unsure as to whether it's appearance or performance focused. Is PA / FOH consistent venue-to-venue?

Riis

the Wall of Sound used by the dead was the PA system for the band, so if this guy is using that rig in that manner, it means he's at a volume level on stage that can be heard throughout the venue. I can't imagine the other people on stage are happy with that.

 

[Zooberwerx]

the Wall of Sound used by the dead was the PA system for the band, so if this guy is using that rig in that manner, it means he's at a volume level on stage that can be heard throughout the venue. I can't imagine the other people on stage are happy with that.

IME, it's more of an appearance gag as the signal processing doesn't come close to what Phil Lesh utililzed:

"Phil Lesh's bass was piped through a quadraphonic encoder that sent signals from each of the four strings to a separate channel and set of speakers for each string."

Whatever the reason and speaking as a half-assed sound guy, I sure hope it has a volume knob if it intends to survive on my backline.

Riis

 

[StereoPlayer]

 

[rtav]

Some people use large rigs on stage with good PA sound support because:

1) They like it.

 

[MrLenny1]

Those days are gone for me.
I use a Sanamp Fly Rig on 2 of my gigs and that is it.

 

[bassicmike]

Some people use large rigs on stage with good PA sound support because:

1) They like it.

There are few sweeter spots on this earth than 10-15' in front of an SVT fridge rig.

I would experience that ecstasy as often as possible in a perfect world.

 

[rtav]

There are few sweeter spots on this earth than 10-15' in front of an SVT fridge rig.

I would experience that ecstasy as often as possible in a perfect world.

I agree. If I ever gig again I will gig big.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

I bring the smallest rig I can hear if I know I can send a signal to the FOH.

I used to bring amps & cabs to bi-amp, back when we barely had enough PA for vocals-only, but now we try to mic everything and go with as low a stage volume as possible. We don’t bother doing that in small rooms, so I can still bring a larger rig when needed.

 

[bmusic]

Because rock n roll…

 

[Relsom]

Not long after making the switch to X32/ IEMs, I attempted to go ampless. That lasted all of 2 gigs. I was OK with it, but some of the other band members insisted on having a bass presence on stage.....ambience, if you want to call it that. My trusty little Shuttle 6.2-12T + .2-12T-EXT has been my constant companion for the last 8 or so years. Even on large venue openers, there's enough monitor support added to give me all I need.

 

[Bruiser Stone]

Because Sleep. Austin City Limits 1/25/18. Probably the best PA support available but it’s part of the experience. Not for my gigging needs, but fun to behold.

 

[guitarflinger]

Some people use large rigs on stage with good PA sound support because:

1) They like it.

2) They have Roadies

 

[Michedelic]

Define PA support. Most places I go to, and play in, it’s a box on a stick, no separate subs. In a larger joints, with bass bins coming into the picture, the size of the stage is getting larger, certainly bigger than many a rehearsal space, let alone the entirety of the lesser tiny dumps you could play in. Maybe some players don’t want anything but vocals in their monitors. Maybe some players don’t like ear buds. Maybe some players like the feel of their ass being vibrated. Maybe some players aren’t hipster weaklings or broken down old men. Maybe amps on stage is rock’n’roll as god intended it. This technology existed 10 years ago, maybe even longer, and I don’t recall it being clamored for back then.