Double Bass Mic Only Players: What speaker cabs you using?

[Jeff Bonny]

The appeal of the more natural sound and inherent volume cap of using only a mic for stage monitoring is moving up on me fast. Mics, amps and preamps I have a pretty good idea of where I’m starting but I’m feeling a little cast adrift regarding speakers. Reading through many threads the last few weeks I know some of you guys have been using mics for your onstage monitoring for several years now and am curious as to what’s working for you and what hasn’t worked for you. Based only on spec and what I’ve read here something passive like a MAS-25 or Crazy 88 pole mounted is at the top of the list. I know how individual the process is from player to player and bass to bass and that trying something yourself is the only real test but the powered QSC K10 is the only box I can find locally that I’m much interested in so I figured I’d ask and get some current opinions.

Thanks.

 

[Ric Vice]

The appeal of the more natural sound and inherent volume cap of using only a mic for stage monitoring is moving up on me fast. Mics, amps and preamps I have a pretty good idea of where I’m starting but I’m feeling a little cast adrift regarding speakers. Reading through many threads the last few weeks I know some of you guys have been using mics for your onstage monitoring for several years now and am curious as to what’s working for you and what hasn’t worked for you. Based only on spec and what I’ve read here something passive like a MAS-25 or Crazy 88 pole mounted is at the top of the list. I know how individual the process is from player to player and bass to bass and that trying something yourself is the only real test but the powered QSC K10 is the only box I can find locally that I’m much interested in so I figured I’d ask and get some current opinions.

Thanks.

Jeff,
I have a Audio Kinesis TC112, or the QSC K8 (monitoring only) combined with the Headway EDB-2 and a DPA 4099B. I don't usually need to pole mount it, although I just purchased a Gator Frameworks ID speaker stand for that purpose.

Ric

 

[Ed Fuqua]

I don't use anything. The mic has always been for front of house and I've either been playing acoustically on stage or, particularly for outdoor concert venues, using the pickup through my regular amplification setup for stage volume.

 

[Monte]

i use the QSC K10.

I can go direct into it with my Heil Mic, but I usually just use my little Mackie mixer to give more options.

 

[walkin]

Hi
I'm using differents types of mic, like Sennheiser E 609 Silver (dynamic) in the bridge, Audio Technica ATM 20/20 medium diaphragm, cardiod in the bridge, ATM 35 with the gooseneck, the head pointed to the soundpost.
My preamp is a Headway EDB1 (like "swissknife" for me).
And now i playing with a little speaker cab, Montarbo NM 250 A, i love them.
250 w, 8 thumbs, 9 Kg, easy to care and not a D class amplificator, (i don't like, its really powerfull but i've always find the sound without "soul" and "cold").
The montarbo is an A/B Class, more close to HI-Fi sound.
Very often with the ATM 35 it's not necessary to plug the mic by the preamp, straightly in the speaker and it's good.
I didnt' use pickup anymore; only mic.

 

[eric.damstra]

I use a SWR baby blue.
To prevent feedback I have it tilted.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

Thanks guys. I wasn't very happy with what I was getting with the new DPA 4099B through the bass cabs I own. The EV TL606 and Bag End S15's work ok I guess but don't have the detail and are a lot bigger than what I wanna shlep and the Traynor TC112 seems to have such a low feedback threshold that it's quite unusable. All in all I was a little discouraged. As an after thought today I tried an old Tannoy V8 I'd kinda forgotten about. I could get the most volume before feedback and it's by far the most natural sounding. I am curious to hear how well it throws into the house. How do the QSC K series do in that regard?

Vic, that's a slick speaker stand. Stacking cabs to head height definitely bought more gain before feedback and seemed to give more apparent volume before drowning out the acoustic sound of the bass. Think I'm pretty much sold on a stand.

 

[Federighi]

DPA with Epifani head/ cab(s). Digital power, super clean, flat EQ.

 

[MR PC]

Thanks guys. As an after thought today I tried an old Tannoy V8 I'd kinda forgotten about. I could get the most volume before feedback and it's by far the most natural sounding. I am curious to hear how well it throws into the house. How do the QSC K series do in that regard?

Vic, that's a slick speaker stand. Stacking cabs to head height definitely bought more gain before feedback and seemed to give more apparent volume before downing out the acoustic sound of the bass. Think I'm pretty much sold on a stand.

Interesting! The QSC throws very well, but I bet that Tannoy would do a good job as well. Old saying "bird in hand is better than two in the bush" might apply.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I used to use an EA VL 208 on a pole mount, but it was a beast and installing the mounting flange was a pain. A few years back a student in my combo had a QSC K10 with a budget mic that sounded stellar when mounted up high. If I ever decided to go that way again, that's how I'd start the search. I played it in the room with a drummer and pianist and some student horns, and it did well.

 

[Monte]

I used to use an EA VL 208 on a pole mount, but it was a beast and installing the mounting flange was a pain. A few years back a student in my combo had a QSC K10 with a budget mic that sounded stellar when mounted up high. If I ever decided to go that way again, that's how I'd start the search. I played it in the room with a drummer and pianist and some student horns, and it did well.

Yep, on a pole it really sounds good. As a bonus I have 2 and have been known to bring both of them to run a Quartet with singer and technophope pianist through it too.

 

[Huy Nguyen]

I played another gig today with a blended dpa and realist. Getting the cab on a tripod fixes all the feedback issues for small gigs. I tried it with and without and there's no comparison. The second benefit is that it's up close to your ear so now you can hear yourself better. That also helps with intonation issues.

 

[Jeff Kissell]

Currently using a Troll either straight into FOH w/stage monitors or into an AI Flex to a 12"powered speaker (mackie thump 12.)
The best, most consistent sound I've had though was a Clarus driving one of Mike Arnopol's MAS 45 cabinets.
The nice thing about powered speakers is the ability to use as a wedge, on a pole, etc.

 

[Huy Nguyen]

Used a Wizzy 12 with just the DPA on my last gig. Loved the result. Cab is raised off the floor.

 

[Nathan Levine]

After messing about with mics, preamps and a handful of cabs over the past few years I've decided on keeping a Troll, a Remic, an AI Clarus head and both the MAS 45 and 25. I have an EA Mline that I'll be keeping, partly because it sounds nearly as good as the 45 and partly because the shipping costs to send it out of Alaska would just be silly. The best sound I've gotten so far with this setup (and ever I might add) is blending the Remic and the Troll through the AI into the tilted 45.