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I think mixing cabs is a bad idea. Some of the drivers will be Pashtun, while others are Punjabi. They may not get along and there could be a colossal conflict if you do.
So you're saying, the drivers might not get along unless you stick with a single cab company? If that's the case, Uber must be a real nightmare.
From my experience, it depends on your setup and what you like.
I used to use a 2x10 and 1x15--2x10 for clean and 1x15 for dirty. I use a split. Even with identical EQ settings on the dirty and clean channels, and matched volumes, the problem was the dirty was loud towards the front of the room, but the clean was way too loud at the back and overpowering. Even when they were both decoupled from the floor and side-by-side versus stacked...
Now I'm using 2 1x15 matched cabinets for both, and everything sounds even. However, I did like the 2x10 and 1x15 stacked for just one channel...it seemed to help fill out the room better than a single cabinet 2x10 or a single 1x15 or even my current parallel 1x15's.
This is all subjective, of course, and I'm sure engineers can explain things better.
My suggestion would be if you want to mix cabinets for a single channel, look for a cabinet with a different driver arrangement within the same manufacturer/model family. For example, if you have an Avatar 2x10, get the 1x15.
One thing I can say, the single driver 1x15 paired with a 2x10 may not be identical in wattage handling, so you may have one louder than the other. This isn't an issue for someone like me using a stereo power amp with individual volume controls, but it might be for someone using a mono-output amplifier head.
By the same token, if you like how loud the 2x10 and 1x15 are together, but not how they sound, a good 4x10 or Avatar's 4x12 cabinet may be an option.
I used to use a 2x10 and 1x15--2x10 for clean and 1x15 for dirty. I use a split. Even with identical EQ settings on the dirty and clean channels, and matched volumes, the problem was the dirty was loud towards the front of the room, but the clean was way too loud at the back and overpowering. Even when they were both decoupled from the floor and side-by-side versus stacked...
Now I'm using 2 1x15 matched cabinets for both, and everything sounds even. However, I did like the 2x10 and 1x15 stacked for just one channel...it seemed to help fill out the room better than a single cabinet 2x10 or a single 1x15 or even my current parallel 1x15's.
This is all subjective, of course, and I'm sure engineers can explain things better.
My suggestion would be if you want to mix cabinets for a single channel, look for a cabinet with a different driver arrangement within the same manufacturer/model family. For example, if you have an Avatar 2x10, get the 1x15.
One thing I can say, the single driver 1x15 paired with a 2x10 may not be identical in wattage handling, so you may have one louder than the other. This isn't an issue for someone like me using a stereo power amp with individual volume controls, but it might be for someone using a mono-output amplifier head.
By the same token, if you like how loud the 2x10 and 1x15 are together, but not how they sound, a good 4x10 or Avatar's 4x12 cabinet may be an option.
Here's a little food for thought: Without choosing sides (because I've done both) if it does sound good, which cabinet do you put a mic on?
Both!
Bass players: complicating everything since the dawn of rock and roll.
Of course, to sound guys, anything other than a DI from bass is an unnecessary complication.
As is any sound check of the bass lasting longer than 8 notes. Bum, bum, bum, okay that's good, now I need GUITAR!
I'm a sound guy's worst nightmare--even DI'ed.
I have two channels always on and one that only comes on sometimes...
What frequency range do you want to cover? As a 5/6 string guy I "need" that 30hz bottom end or I lose my mind. However, cabs that I've tried that most perfectly produce those frequencies don't produce the mids and highs that I like. So... I deal with a bit of mid frequency loss and run a crossover into two different cabs. Sometimes its two different 2x10s sometimes a 2x10 and 1x18.
Its what I like. Try new things... You may find something that really works for you.
Its what I like. Try new things... You may find something that really works for you.
I run a 2x10+1x12 and it sounds *great* - I've used this setup for multiple *outdoor* gigs and it's great. The trick is getting GOOD cabs - not cheap / bargain / mass-produced stuff you usually see at GC.
The standard setup used to be a 4x10 top with a 1x15 or 1x18 bottom. Like others have said I'd just stick with the same brand and same line within that brand so the wattage ratings match.
I've never seen a more ignorant post on this forum. I'm glad I don't get all my facts from a reality TV show.
