Is 25 Watts enough...?

[nostatic]

The real bummer is that I can only have 2 live channels on with my Zoom R8 otherwise it could be used as a mixing board . If that were the case I could just get a couple of decent powered cabs to mix the whole thing, effects included.

Small sub mixer into the R8. Add a powered cab and you're done.

 

[smogg]

?)

Small sub mixer into the R8. Add a powered cab and you're done.

Hmmm, apparently I looked at it backwards. I was thinking mic(s) into RB (to use fx on R8) + backing tracks (stored in R8?) into board. Then, DI bass (and keys) straight to board, mix all & send to powered mains.

Would that work? Maybe I'm making more complicated than it needs to be?

 

[Marko 1]

Don’t discount what one speaker can cover. You can get a better one, save a lot of $ and expand later if necessary.

In fact for smaller rooms and well-placed, one can easily sound better/cleaner than two.

 

[Doublesixes]

Thank you, thank you . It took a whole 4 days of internet debating but finally I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

The original idea was to get just a bass combo but thanks to these forums, the scope of my project took a different turn when I started to think not just as a bass player but as a producer of my own stuff. How cool is that?

PS: I may still get that cute bedroom BA108

 

[nostatic]

?)

Hmmm, apparently I looked at it backwards. I was thinking mic(s) into RB (to use fx on R8) + backing tracks (stored in R8?) into board. Then, DI bass (and keys) straight to board, mix all & send to powered mains.

Would that work? Maybe I'm making more complicated than it needs to be?

I think you can do it either way (I'm not familiar with the R8 but sounds like it can take input signals and mix internally). Typically I'd go with what you're talking about - small mixer and run the backing tracks into the mixer along with bass, guitar, vox, etc then to a powered PA cab.

 

[Doublesixes]

I think you can do it either way (I'm not familiar with the R8 but sounds like it can take input signals and mix internally). Typically I'd go with what you're talking about - small mixer and run the backing tracks into the mixer along with bass, guitar, vox, etc then to a powered PA cab.

The way I think would work best is to get a small board and mix everything there, then bring that stereo mix into the R8, apply mastering effects and shoot the whole enchilada through the powered cabs. I'm still thinking about how the monitors would work....

 

[Marko 1]

The way I think would work best is to get a small board and mix everything there, then bring that stereo mix into the R8, apply mastering effects and shoot the whole enchilada through the powered cabs. I'm still thinking about how the monitors would work....

If the volume is low, you can probably place the main(s) where you can hear it/them, and skip the monitor.




I don’t want to keep beating on this, but again, don’t discount what one quality speaker can do. Yeah, you’d lose the stereo, but I’m wondering if in a small room it would even be worth it. Also you’d be able to get a better speaker that way.

Where I teach they couldn’t get audio over their system for a video they were showing in the commons area, maybe 350 kids, and seated wider than deep. So I got one of my 12” powered speakers (RCF ART312-A), on a stand in the center, and I was amazed at how good it sounded in the whole area.

There was a lot of music in the video, as well. I did this room earlier (talent show) with two of those RCFs and two subs, and again, I was amazed at what that one speaker covered and how good it sounded doing it.

 

[modulusman]

A good powered speaker is the way to go. It will sound better than the kustom junk you were looking at. As mentioned at low volumes you wouldn't need monitors. I have did low volume gigs with a pair of JBL PRX 512ms set up behind the band. I was using an Eden WTDI into the PA with no bass amp.

 

[Slough Feg Bass]

I play in a surf band, and sometimes we have guest vocalists, the occasional backing track.

I use one of them Roland KC amps with a 12" speaker & tweeter. It has 4 inputs, with easy access knobs to adjust volume of each signal. It pumps enough volume to work with a reasonable drummer.

I do small to medium gigs with this, and it sounds fine. Some bass players hate these amps, I dunno why, but they sound fine with the stuff I am doing. Nice small amp, I can carry it in 1 hand, and it's easy to take on the subway/bus when I want to drink responsibly.
Try one out and see if it works for you. No need to carry a PA around. Vocals sound good enough through it as long as you have a decent mic.

 

[Red Rover]

It really depends on when you are playing. If you're gig is in 1955 you'll need at least 1.21 gigawatts.

 

[fdeck]

The PA head is a house brand of GC and its sister companies. GC also probably has a close relationship with Kustom. Looking at the specs for those components, it's easy to guess that the pricing on this package deal is a combination of "value engineering" and cutting out the middlemen.

I understand that you've got a budget, but it's still worth going into this with eyes open before you saddle yourself with 200 pounds of useless gear. You won't be happy if you have to ship it back on your own nickel.

Bands playing quiet gigs isn't exactly an untapped market. You'll be competing with players who've been doing it for decades, and who've set the expectations of venues and clients. It would be worthwhile to find out: Where those venues are, who plays those gigs, and how they've solved the PA problem.

I think you'll find that the traditional "mains and monitors" PA is the wrong tool for the job, regardless of price.

 

[Slough Feg Bass]

I have a friend who bought one of those Kustom PA's, and it sounds terrible. Upgrade the speakers, and it sounds half ass.
I stand by my Roland KC amp.
Used it bars and clubs and touristy type places for years, and out of town musicians have asked me many times, "where is your PA?" and I point to the little amp next to the drummer, and they go, "No way, that thing?"

It does help to have a drummer that knows how to play hard but not loud. We'd be thrown out of the restaurants if we were too loud.

 

[Doublesixes]

You guys are right. If the mains are placed behind the band and if I use a decent cardioid mic (SM58s?) I could forego independent monitoring.

@Slough... I just Googled those Roland KC amps w/mixing. Very Cool

 

[Jim Carr]

In most venues, you won't want or need the mains behind the band—even without monitors. There is rarely room, and feedback becomes a major issue if the house is reflective (mirrors, windows, shiny floors, low ceiling, etc.).

 

[Kael]

25 watts seems a little silly now that there are fly weight Neo/class D combos. Grab a 115 or 210 combo that has around 200 watts and that weighs like 40 lbs. Then turn it down if need be.

 

[JimmyM]

200w combos aren't $100.

 

[tonybassman]

I'm sure this has been hit in the thread already, but there's nothing that says you can't play a larger amp quietly. --snip--.

+1

Get an amp that will fit all venues. Turn down in small venues. Then you are not limited.

 

[Downunderwonder]

One of those Mackie powered 15 cabs with a small mixer would do you for everything. Use a BDDI or similar for your bass tone.

 

[LAST_C]

I rather have lots of power and simply lower the volume than needing more volume and not having it.

 

[Marley's Ghost]

200w combos aren't $100.

There isn't anything that costs $100 that I would take out of my basement, no less to a gig.