Line out from mixer to Bass amp

[DBEUBEBPlayer]

Hello TB'rs

We (at Church) don't have enough monitors. I was thinking of running the line out/ aux out (all outs except bass) from mixing console to my bass rig. Well, by this, I could hear bass and other instruments through my cab.

Signal chain : Bass (Input) and line out from mixer (through Aux ???) -> Bass Amp -> Cab

What Bass / PA amps do you suggest for this setup?

P.S:
1. I'm not interested in IEM setup
2. I'm not interested to add a mixer for this purpose.
3. My cab would be Fearless F112 or AK TC112




Thanks!

 

[Stu_Bass]

Any amp with a second input or aux in will work. The real question is what type of output from the mixer and what type of input to the amp. Many amps have 1/8" aux ins which will work but you should be judicious about how you get the signal there. You should run a balanced low impedance line to the amp and use the proper adapter at the amp. It need not be terribly complicated or expensive but should be done right to assure good sound, dependability and to eliminate hum and ground loops. You also need to determine whether the aux out is mic or line level. I will suggest a way to do it if you like, just figure out what you are likely to use.
BTW: Either of those cabinets are excellent choices since they are FRFR

 

[WayneP]

As Stu mentioned, your head will need a separate input in order for this to work. Preferably one with its own level control, or else you’ll have to pester the soundman to adjust the monitor feed for you, as you do with regular monitor speakers.

I know you said you don’t want to add a mixer, but you’re going to need a direct box to convert the balanced monitor feed to unbalanced for your bass head. So you might as well just get something like the Behringer ZENYX 502, which cost no more than a direct box anyway. You can plug both the monitor feed and bass into it and dump the output to your bass head. Then you’ll have not only the monitor feed, but some control over it as well.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club #133
Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
Pedulla Club #45

 

[s0c9]

IME (with my sound guy hat on).. bad idea..
Running everything thru your cab will sound like poo.. it's not designed for that. ..Plus you'll introduce all that AUX feed... back onto the stage.
Take that auxiliary and run it into a rolls pm51 and put that into a Hotspot monitor or something.
Otherwise, some of your "don't wants" are your only option.

 

[DBEUBEBPlayer]

Any amp with a second input or aux in will work. The real question is what type of output from the mixer and what type of input to the amp. Many amps have 1/8" aux ins which will work but you should be judicious about how you get the signal there. You should run a balanced low impedance line to the amp and use the proper adapter at the amp. It need not be terribly complicated or expensive but should be done right to assure good sound, dependability and to eliminate hum and ground loops. You also need to determine whether the aux out is mic or line level. I will suggest a way to do it if you like, just figure out what you are likely to use.
BTW: Either of those cabinets are excellent choices since they are FRFR

Thanks Stu !!
I believe this "Output from mixer -> Radial JDI/Countryman Type85 (-15 db pad engaged) -> XLR to 1/4 Converter -> Aux Input of amp" should work?
And, what are your recommendations on light weight Class D dual input amps?

 

[DBEUBEBPlayer]

As Stu mentioned, your head will need a separate input in order for this to work. Preferably one with its own level control, or else you’ll have to pester the soundman to adjust the monitor feed for you, as you do with regular monitor speakers.

I know you said you don’t want to add a mixer, but you’re going to need a direct box to convert the balanced monitor feed to unbalanced for your bass head. So you might as well just get something like the Behringer ZENYX 502, which cost no more than a direct box anyway. You can plug both the monitor feed and bass into it and dump the output to your bass head. Then you’ll have not only the monitor feed, but some control over it as well.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club #133
Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
Pedulla Club #45

Thanks for the reply

Yup, mixer is the good option and safest approach but trying to avoid schlep lot of stuff

 

[DBEUBEBPlayer]

IME (with my sound guy hat on).. bad idea..
Running everything thru your cab will sound like poo.. it's not designed for that. ..Plus you'll introduce all that AUX feed... back onto the stage.
Take that auxiliary and run it into a rolls pm51 and put that into a Hotspot monitor or something.
Otherwise, some of your "don't wants" are your only option.

Thanks for the reply
Would "Output from mixer -> Line Input of Roll PM351 -> Headphones output -> Aux Input of the amp" work by controlling the AUX feed ? Or, would that cause signal issues?
What are your recommendations on 'light weight' Hotspot monitors, which can handle low frequencies?

 

[4Mal]

I'm not totally off the idea of using one of the cabs you mention in a kick back wedge style... as long as you get a dedicated mix to it.


As options...How about
1. changing your position so that you can hear better and require less monitor
2. Maybe add something like a QSC K12 and position it so that you and the drums or keys or guitar can both hear it... if it is on the backline, directed away from a bunch of mic's and isn't screaming loud - the foh sound shouldn't be adversely affected, though you may have to play with your position and the placement to get there.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Any amp with a second input or aux in will work. The real question is what type of output from the mixer and what type of input to the amp. Many amps have 1/8" aux ins which will work but you should be judicious about how you get the signal there. You should run a balanced low impedance line to the amp and use the proper adapter at the amp. It need not be terribly complicated or expensive but should be done right to assure good sound, dependability and to eliminate hum and ground loops. You also need to determine whether the aux out is mic or line level. I will suggest a way to do it if you like, just figure out what you are likely to use.
BTW: Either of those cabinets are excellent choices since they are FRFR

Doing a balanced line as proposed to an unbalanced input will require more than just the correct adaptor.
You will need a transformer near the aux-in (bass amp) side of the cable to unbalance the signal.

 

[simotek]

Id also be in the this is a bad idea, it will muddy your tone and everything thats sent out to everyone else, then because its muddy you'll need to have it loud to have any benefit over what your hearing with no monitor anyway. How many monitors are you trying to have on stage? one each ? or do you have a really big stage? ive spent years sharing a monitor with the guitarist or acoustic guitar or whoever's near me. generally we had 1 monitor between 2-3 people and in some cases we'd run the same mix out too 2 speakers, there are some limits but generally our guitarists, bass and drums all shared the same line out on the desk but split into 2 different speakers for example. Acoustic guitar and Keys can't really share for example because they both use alot of the same sonic space and vocalists certainly struggle when theres any more then 3 per line.

In short using your bass amp is probably the worst possible option and if anything rather then adding a mixer add a second hand powered speaker or keyboard amp or something else.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Id also be in the this is a bad idea, it will muddy your tone and everything thats sent out to everyone else, then because its muddy you'll need to have it loud to have any benefit over what your hearing with no monitor anyway. How many monitors are you trying to have on stage? one each ? or do you have a really big stage? ive spent years sharing a monitor with the guitarist or acoustic guitar or whoever's near me. generally we had 1 monitor between 2-3 people and in some cases we'd run the same mix out too 2 speakers, there are some limits but generally our guitarists, bass and drums all shared the same line out on the desk but split into 2 different speakers for example. Acoustic guitar and Keys can't really share for example because they both use alot of the same sonic space and vocalists certainly struggle when theres any more then 3 per line.

In short using your bass amp is probably the worst possible option and if anything rather then adding a mixer add a second hand powered speaker or keyboard amp or something else.

Oh! Second-hand, powered speaker!
I had envisioned a speaker with a big crank on the side of it.
Hand powered. Never mind.

 

[Stu_Bass]

Thanks Stu !!
I believe this "Output from mixer -> Radial JDI/Countryman Type85 (-15 db pad engaged) -> XLR to 1/4 Converter -> Aux Input of amp" should work?
And, what are your recommendations on light weight Class D dual input amps?

I own the Quilter and the Bergantino B|Amp and love both. The Quilter is plug and play for a nice round rock sound while the Berg is more polite out of the gate. The Quilter has a XLR line in on back but has no level control. The Berg has an 1/8" aux in on the front with a level control which is handy. The B|Amp also has an extensive feature set which allow you to EQ, compress and add OD/Distortion to your hearts content. There is also the new Forte which has a smaller feature set and no level control but is still a Bergantino which is a good thing.There are certainly quite a few other options and there are threads in here that argue the virtues of each model. These are the two I am familiar with and of them I would choose based on your needs, both are great products in my experience.

 

[s0c9]

Thanks for the reply
Would "Output from mixer -> Line Input of Roll PM351 -> Headphones output -> Aux Input of the amp" work by controlling the AUX feed ? Or, would that cause signal issues?
What are your recommendations on 'light weight' Hotspot monitors, which can handle low frequencies?

NO.. You do NOT want to run a house mix into the Rolls then out to your amp.. REMOVE the AMP from the equation.. mixing that and your bass thru your bass amp will sound terrible..!!
Get another powered monitor and feed that.
You're NOT going to solve this problem on the cheap.. if you do.. the results (as indicated by replies above) will not make you happy..

 

[Stu_Bass]

I would try this through a house monitor or something similar first as having everything coming out of one cab will likely leave you wanting more you.