Merits to playing outdoors?

[jeffgnr90]

So I'm on the quest for tone as per usual and will be playing a couple of bigger gigs and outdoor shows as well. I'm wondering if there are any merits to playing outside. I understand low end is not as prevalent and when playing outdoor shows with FOH what's on stage is is more of a benefit towards me which I'm conflicted about. Using a lot of distortions and fx I want my audience to hear.

I've been wanting to lug my set-up outside and turn it up to try and get an idea of what I sound like from afar (100ft or so). Generally when I practice it's at very low volumes cause of my family so I feel like I'm almost doing myself a disservice in my quest for tone when I'm barely playing above 3, especially with a 300w all tube amp (fender sb300). I feel like maybe going based on what I hear outside at a louder volume will help me when playing indoor gigs. I know the bass response will be different which I'll factor in.

What's everyone's take on this?

 

[staindbass]

i like playing outdoors. the bass response is weaker because there are no walls for reinforcement, but the bass tone is purer. you will not hear much at 100feet especially if the drummer is playing at the same time.

 

[EastCoastThump]

You lose the bass boost you get indoors from boundary reinforcement. However, if you're used to playing indoors at low volumes, you'll make up some of that low-end through psycho-acoustic effects (namely, "equal loudness" curves: the louder your signal, the more low end—and high end—content it appears to carry).

Ideally, those outdoor gigs will have PA support, so your rig will mostly be a stage monitor.

 

[Bassamatic]

Little or no feedback! And - your sound will disappear quickly with distance.

 

[Ralph Notoro]

I love playing outdoors. Bass waves a loose and slow and when they hit walls and ceiling they become less clear. Outdoors, the sound travels straight out providing the most solid sound and purest tone.

 

[Jim Nazium]

I like playing outside. There's no "room boom" and no nautral reverberation, so my bass sounds really dry and tight, which is how I like it. It does require either FOH sound or a lot of power from your amp.

 

[SteveHeissner]

If the weather is perfect you just can't beat it. If it's 98 degrees in the shade and humid as hell, well then it's not as fun.

 

[jeffgnr90]

I love playing outdoors. Bass waves a loose and slow and when they hit walls and ceiling they become less clear. Outdoors, the sound travels straight out providing the most solid sound and purest tone.

This is along the lines of what I was thinking. No walls or corners to reverberate the sound. I'll just hear whatever it is my amp is producing while outside. And I have an hpf too which should make things easier too as far as bass response goes.

 

[jeffgnr90]

I like playing outside. There's no "room boom" and no nautral reverberation, so my bass sounds really dry and tight, which is how I like it. It does require either FOH sound or a lot of power from your amp.

I'm hoping that outdoors 300w of all tube will be enough, not just as a stage monitor, but for people out in front of the stage. I want people to hear the varying degrees of dirt and fx I employ

 

[Jim Nazium]

I'm hoping that outdoors 300w of all tube will be enough, not just as a stage monitor, but for people out in front of the stage.

That should be enough, assuming you're using an appropriate speaker cabinet.

I want people to hear the varying degrees of dirt and fx I employ

If there's PA support, ask the sound guy (or gal) to mic your amp instead of using a DI. Then whatever sound is coming from your rig should be coming through the PA.

 

[jeffgnr90]

Yea I forgot to mention, I'd be using to acoustic neo 115s. 400w apiece. Amenities forgot about micing cabs haha. I'll have to see

 

[mpdd]

i get by with a 200 watt mesa and two orange 115s outside, however the guitarists line 6 combo doesn't seem to carry all that well

 

[EastCoastThump]

The head's rating for "watts before a THD of X" doesn't matter so much as the cabinets' design and efficiency. That said, what kind of event is it? If it's a wine festival or somesuch (where you're just trying to cover the first 30-40 feet out for dancers), you should be fine w/ a pair of B115s.

 

[jeffgnr90]

It's a festival. Stage and everything. Can't imagine having to reach people past 75ft. or so

 

[EastCoastThump]

Gotcha. I took your post #9 to mean there was no PA. If you have proper festival PA, no worries. Just tap the DI send post-effects.

 

[Downunderwonder]

The DI can be quite a bit brighter than the mic.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

i like playing outdoors. the bass response is weaker because there are no walls for reinforcement, but the bass tone is purer. you will not hear much at 100feet especially if the drummer is playing at the same time.

Agreed. No walls to bounce off of, no filling the room with an annoying "Boom" - you just hear the instrument. I love outdoor gigs (so long as I have the right rig!)