Double Bass microphone in an amp or active speaker

[tito mangialajo]

after years I've took the decision to play unampliefied everytime is possible. with gut strings and the right set up I can play without amp an without pick-up in small club. when I play in larger venues I place a mic in front of bass and send the signal to PA.
the only problem is when I play in medium room without PA or with a louder combo ( the problems are electric guitarist and wild drummers).
I don't want to use anymore a PU and I have an Audix D4 that I mount in the afterlenght of strings. Can you suggest me an ampliefier that accepts the mic or eventually an active speaker is better? (wich one?). Have I to switch to a condenser mic for that purpose?

 

[AMJBASS]

The Acoustic Image Contra, or the new Ten2 combo will work very well with a microphone. I have had success using a Shure Beta57 right into a Contra. The Audix D4 should be just fine. Just remember that if you do buy a condenser, they tend to pick up a lot more sound from the instruments around you as well. Just keep that in mind.

 

[Eddue]

Also, some condenser microphones may require an addition (phantom) power supply.

 

[doberman]

I do either depending. I use one of three options, I use either a QSC k12 powered speaker, which sounds pretty good but can be too boomy. Maybe a small mixer or preamp would solve that, though I just plug the mic directly into it. It is good for medium to medium-high and lower volumes. I also have a GK MB150, which I usually find I have to turn the treble way down with the mic, it is considerably quieter than the powered speaker, though a good sound. Lately I have been opting for the QSC over the GK, because they are about the same size and the QSC has more volume. Lastly for the loudest situations I use an Aguilar AG500 to a GS210, which sounds great and has plenty of volume, but I only want to have to carry that amount of stuff for certain projects. I use an SM58 or an SM27 (large diaphragm condenser, needs phantom power). Point being, you can do either...I find the powered speaker to be easier in some respects, I have never had a problem with feedback with it (I can't say the same for the GK), but it is a trade-off for having less EQ options. I love the Aguilar, but it is really heavy, I only use for my more important gigs. The powered speaker really sounds good though, with some EQing I think it would sound better than the GK and have more volume too.

 

[Wallyphonic]

A jbl Eon powered PA speaker works pretty well. They are light and they make a model with eq as well. If I was using mic only, I'd go the powered PA speaker route.