Outdoor Gig Cabinet Advice

[randystone]

I have 4 cabinets to choose from but I can bring one, (MAYBE two). They are all GR Bass AT carbon fiber cabs. I'll be using a GK MB Fusion amp head.
1. 1x12
2. 1x12
3. 2x10
4. 1x15
Many thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[MrLenny1]

I vote 1x15 and a 1x12.
I find the 1x15 sounds fuller outside because
there is no walls.

 

[Jjacks651]

the two 1x12's. I use the Markbass Ninja 212 all the time outdoors and it always performs well.

John

 

[Rip Van Dan]

I have 4 cabinets to choose from but I can bring one, (MAYBE two). They are all GR Bass AT carbon fiber cabs. I'll be using a GK MB Fusion amp head.
1. 1x12
2. 1x12
3. 2x10
4. 1x15
Many thanks in advance for your thoughts.

A 410 would be best or a 215. How about 210+115? Outdoors more speaker area makes a difference. I use a surprisingly loud DNS-210 by DNA indoors for even large venues. Outdoors, I bring out my DNS-410. Max SPL is only 3db between them but double the speakers producing it makes a surprisingly big difference. I would not be comfortable playing out doors with any single cabinet you have listed, but if I was restricted to those I would go for the 210+115. What's the minimum ohms load for your amp? Is it 4Ω or 2Ω?

 

[Slevage]

(2x) 1-15

 

[Jack]

(2x) 1-15

He only has one.

Pick the loudest two. Outside can be a challenge.

 

[hamertek98]

Who made the rules that you could only bring one? (Or maybe two).

 

[Clark Westfield]

What amp will be powering these cabinets?

 

[fjbolebruch]

Our band plays outdoors a lot, two 1x12 cabs are my preference. Well, it’s my preference for just about everything

 

[Lance Bunyon]

115 + 210. Just make sure the combined impedance load matches whatever the amp is designed to handle.

 

[2saddleslab]

2 x 112 for the win!

 

[FrenchBassQC]

2 1X12 for me.

 

[FugaziBomb]

Outdoors is tough because your low end is going to dissipate in all directions. I found the only solution is to really bring the heat with a powered subwoofer working in concert with your typical rig. I don't think any *one* of those cabinets is really going to stand a chance, assuming your tone leans on the 60-80hz range for low end support.

 

[dvdtlsn]

A 410 would be best or a 215. How about 210+115? Outdoors more speaker area makes a difference. I use a surprisingly loud DI NS-210 by DNA indoors for even large venues. Outdoors, I bring out my DNS-410. Max SPL is only 3db between them but double the speakers producing it makes a surprisingly big difference. I would not be comfortable playing out doors with any single cabinet you have listed, but if I was restricted to those I would go for the 210+115. What's the minimum ohms load for your amp? Is it 4Ω or 2Ω?

I like a 410 as well for outside projection. Assuming pro level gear on all of these cabs, either the 12s stacked or the 210 on the 115.

Rational - run the amp at 4ohms for more power and couple the speakers to project better.

Note - with known reasonable stage volume and capable PA support, I would save my back and go with a 112. Thing is you can't always count on this. At a festival once I brought my 410 as it was the only cab I had at the time and it saved the day as we were on the "acoustic stage" and subs were lacking. The sound man actually said "can you turn that up a bit"...

 

[Barticus]

The 1x12 (or 2) or 2x10 are both more than enough!

I play GR as well and have always had way more cab than needed for outdoor venues with FOH support. I now have a One1400 AT212+ Slim combo that is overkill, it never gets turned past 1 or it is too loud.

 

[BigStringBender]

I play through a GR Bass 212+, powered by my Genz Benz Streamliner 900, and have never had an issue being heard. So, my vote would be the two 112's. But, I think a 112 over a 115 would also rock, and may produce a richer mid. Then DI to the PA, and tell your guitarist(s) to go home...

 

[bigdaddybass12]

I use a 2x10 cab at my outdoor gigs. Plenty of sound. Outdoor you need a little punch.

 

[Jefenator]

2x10 + 1x15 gets it done for me.
If you can only bring one, use the 15.
If you are running through a PA with subwoofers just use whatever.

 

[shoot-r]

I have 4 cabinets to choose from but I can bring one, (MAYBE two). They are all GR Bass AT carbon fiber cabs. I'll be using a GK MB Fusion amp head.
1. 1x12
2. 1x12
3. 2x10
4. 1x15
Many thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Depends...

How loud is the group as a whole?
How heavy a hitter is the drummer?
Are you playing light jazz, country, country/rock, metal?
Are you just covering the near field/stage area, or are you trying to cover the far field/whole audience area also?
(And the most important question,) will you have FOH support?

I'm in a working, 5pcs., moderately loud, country/rock group with a drummer that hits pretty hard.
We play everything from local bars, pubs and animal clubs up to large stage, outdoor jobs.

I have FOH support 100% of the time

For years my large stage, outdoor job cabinet was a Berg NV610, all other jobs I used two 210's stacked as a vertical 410.

Back in May I went to just a single 210 cab for all gigs as my on stage monitor.

Signal chain that is working for me:
(Passive 4 string Jazz > SansAmp BDDI V2 > G.K. MB800 Fusion w/line to FOH from head > 8 ohm 210 cabinet loaded with Eminence U.S.A. 2510 Neo drivers.)

Frankly, I've been pretty impressed with how this lil, inexpensive 210 has stood as a stand-alone stage monitor.

(Pic is from last Friday night at a County Fair job.)

 

[randystone]

Thank you all for the helpful and thoughtful responses. Some answers to your great questions:

-I'm disabled, so unlimited in what I can bring (people will help me unload when I get to the gig). All of my cabinets are under 20lbs (the 1x12's are 14 lbs.). Each cab is 8 ohms.
- Amp = GK MB Fusion or TC RH-750
- Bass = Sadowsky NYC 4
-I'll be sitting in with several bands… averaging five members including me. Mostly rock and dance material. Standard stuff. I do not expect for unto be too loud. That said, I'll still want to project som "woof".
-it's a block party and I'll be playing on someone's back deck.
-I will not be running through a PA. Standalone.