Live volume problem -any thoughts

[jbassmaniac]

Downunder, then please explain why the front volume of the rear ported cab was much less substantial than being around in back of the cab several feet back? I'm no pro at this and I know that bass frequencies in theory are omni-directional. Then why did it seem lees in front and more behind it?

 

[jbassmaniac]

Then can you explain why the front ported cab sounds louder out front than the rear ported cab with no walls or ceiling etc?

 

[Downunderwonder]

Different cabs. Take same cab and port it to the rear instead, no difference

 

[Munjibunga]

During outdoor gigs, you don't (usually) have any walls to reflect, or trap bass frequencies. Walls kinda make bass sound a little louder than if there are no walls. No walls make bass kinda less loud than if there are walls. And, bass frequencies are omni-directional, so during an outdoor gig some of your cab energy is going toward the back of the stage. Again there is no wall to reflect it back toward the audience. And, indoors, you usually have floors that vibrate some bass frequencies to your audience. Outdoors you usually have concrete, or asphalt, or dirt. Those don't vibrate as much energy to the audience. All in all, indoor rooms sorta amplify your bass frequencies. Outdoors, you have a lot less stuff to help. Solution for outdoors is more power, and more drivers pumping. YMMV.

Yes. The floor adds 3 dB, so you get that outdoors, but a wall adds another 3dB and a corner adds 6dB. You're losing volume to dispersion. The solution? More speakers. The Shuttle 9.2 should put out plenty of oomph. You realize, of course, you can only get about 500 watts out of that amp into that 8-ohm cab.

 

[jbassmaniac]

Indeed! Two 8 ohm Fearfuls and you are loading 4 ohms and utilizing all 900 watts of the 9.2 GB 9.2 which should put you right where you need to be by doubling your volume and power.

 

[AlexanderB]

It is a single 15" (even if it is good) that is asked to do this. For Pro Audio it is common to scale up the PA five times or more when a gig moves outdoors.

 

[modulusman]

You have a sub but you don't have the bass in the PA? This is not smart thinking unless you are out of channels on the mixer.

 

[smogg]

You have a sub but you don't have the bass in the PA? This is not smart thinking unless you are out of channels on the mixer.

This^^^^^^GB amps have a great built in DI, use it. It's a no cost solution to a simple problem. Run a line to the FOH PA & just stay out of the wedges. Use your back-line as your bass monitor.

 

[Ewo]

One possibility is that your signal has a good amount of sub content, and that's using up your amp's power. I've run into that often, especially if I've boosted the bass EQ on the instrument.

I've had good results with Fdeck's HPF, just before the amp's input. Essentially it ditches the signal content below 35 Hz. The series 3 is the best choice for electric bass IMO.

You might want to take a look at threads about that box. It's an inexpensive thing to try (about $100), and it might be the cure for what you described.

 

[nysbob]

Outdoor gigs require more gas, always. I use a 100W V4B for most gigs, but outdoors it's going to be an SVT. You can't expect any single 15" cab to carry the load either. You've got plenty of power, so get an additional identical cab to use in these situations, and you'll be fine.

 

[CL400Peavey]

One possibility is that your signal has a good amount of sub content, and that's using up your amp's power. I've run into that often, especially if I've boosted the bass EQ on the instrument.

I've had good results with Fdeck's HPF, just before the amp's input. Essentially it ditches the signal content below 35 Hz. The series 3 is the best choice for electric bass IMO.

You might want to take a look at threads about that box. It's an inexpensive thing to try (about $100), and it might be the cure for what you described.

The Genz stuff has a very good built in HPF. I think the problem is the OP needs to ignore that little flashing light and use his ears.

 

[wcriley]

Don't know if it's the OP's EQ, channel gain setting, defective equipment or whatever, but there's something definitely wrong.

With my normal gain settings on my Max 9.2 into a single 12/6 I'd have trouble hearing the drums long before I maxed the channel and master volume knobs.
(Unless I was standing much closer to the drums than my speaker cabinet.)

 

[BassmanPaul]

a simple bi-amp rig with something as small as a guitar based 2x12 and medium sized 1x18 would solve the level issue pretty quickly while maintaining excellent tonality and punch

Errr. No it won't. bi-amping into 12s will help nothing as they still will be lacking in the high end.

 

[georgestrings]

I don't know how much difference there is between an LDS 15/6/1 and a fEARful 15/6/1, but can honestly say that I was never lacking for volume indoors or outdoors with my Mesa PH610 - even when I was pushing it with a 700rb-II(480 watts)... I suspect that the capabilities of these single 15 loaded cabs are often exagerrated...


- georgestrings

 

[georgestrings]

You have a sub but you don't have the bass in the PA? This is not smart thinking unless you are out of channels on the mixer.

Agreed 100% - I can't imagine not being in the PA, particularly when gigging outdoors...


- georgestrings

 

[agreatheight]

I played a outdoor gig this past weekend that did have bass through the PA and everything was ducky, but to get stage volume I had to turn up from about 9:00 a.m. where I usually run near for most club gigs to about 1:00 p.m. I also had to dial in more low end than I usually need.

 

[georgestrings]

I played a outdoor gig this past weekend that did have bass through the PA and everything was ducky, but to get stage volume I had to turn up from about 9:00 a.m. where I usually run near for most club gigs to about 1:00 p.m. I also had to dial in more low end than I usually need.

I've played a few outdoor gigs lately, and was also thru the PA - I didn't have to turn up much at all, maybe from 9 o'clock to 10 o'clock, but was also using a Mesa PH215, which is a pretty thumpin' cab...


- georgestrings

 

[smeet]

I don't know how much difference there is between an LDS 15/6/1 and a fEARful 15/6/1, but can honestly say that I was never lacking for volume indoors or outdoors with my Mesa PH610 - even when I was pushing it with a 700rb-II(480 watts)... I suspect that the capabilities of these single 15 loaded cabs are often exagerrated...


- georgestrings

I haven't used a 610, but I can tell you my fEARful 15/6/1 is louder, much more solid, and much less directional than any 410 I've ever tried. And that's comparing an 8 ohm cab to 4 ohm cabinets.

 

[georgestrings]

I haven't used a 610, but I can tell you my fEARful 15/6/1 is louder, much more solid, and much less directional than any 410 I've ever tried. And that's comparing an 8 ohm cab to 4 ohm cabinets.

Yeah, I can believe that - out of curiosity, what 410s do you have experience with???


- georgestrings

 

[will33]

You have a PA complete with subwoofer...use it.

The "bass" part of your bass rig is a single 15. I don't care how good that single 15 is, it's going to suffer outdoors. Rule of thumb for moving the gig outside is to automatically double your speaker count. That's what it takes to "get back to even" / overcome the lack of any walls for bass reinforcement.