Outdoor gig minimum

[TomB]

Bass content: I should metion in the scenario I described above that I usually use a 4x10 or 2 1X12's and ~500 watts, again, same as I would use inside (although Jimmy's 8x10 is always welcome on my stage .

Surfaces are a critical element outdoors. Tents are mushy-sounding, but a fully-walled enclosure approximates a normal indoor room. A tent w/walls rolled up is actually a great sound most of the time. A wide-open area is the biggest stage sound challenge; another reason for micing everyone is so you can fully utilize stage monitors and a pair of monitor mixes to help out those at the extreme ends of the stage. A hard wall behind the backline really helps too.

As you might have guessed by now, I think a gig outdoors w/no enclosure or nearby reflective surfaces (not office buildings a half-block away) with anything bigger than a trio without at least a small PA and 2, preferably 3 channels of power amp is always a challenge, but a fun one.

 

[Baron Von Vik]

Like everyone says, depends on the venue and the crowd. We play outside a few times a year, and every venue is different.

The hardest outdoor gig I've ever had to dial in was a prison yard- four 20 foot high concrete walls, slightly angled back, and 1400 (I think) square feet of floor.

Soundcheck took waaaay too long. We ended up angling one PA speaker out, one front, miking the guitar amps and turning down, running a DI before my amp and mid-boosting it through the PA... so much crap. Then when the crowd came in and sat down, the sound kind of evened out a bit and we got to turn up a little. We actually sounded ok, but not "inside" ok.

Here's where I basically reiterate what TomB said above, that the surfaces and texture of the environment have a big impact on the sound. I've played rooftop parties, ballfields, parks etc., and they all require a different retooling of the mix. IMHO, headroom is the key. More power than you need is a good thing outdoors, both from your amp and the PA. Once again, IMHO.

That all said, I love playing outdoors, even better than playing in; when the weather's nice, that is.

 

[dbase]

Bring everything you've got. Use what you need. If that's everything, so be it.

Last outdoor gig I did I used 2 sets of 2x10 over 1x15, biamped. The head was a WT800A. We got rain, so we moved indoors, and I only needed the 2x15 setup loafing to fill the 200' x 100' venue.

+1 .. I love playing outdoors. Bring everything you got and turn it all the way up.

 

[Russell L]

I'm listening, ya'll. Good stuff here from all. Heh, maybe I could get a 4 ohm 410 and unplug the 12 in my combo. That way I'd at least have 410s and 500w. Or get two 410s at 8 ohms. Now, that would be awesome. Problem is, unless I redo my combo to get the head out I'm stuck with carrying the whole combo around just for the amp. Anyway, there's no way I'm gonna be able to always have a wall of sound behind me, so it's interesting to hear what you guys do.

Thanks.

 

[armybass]

This

My son with my/our out door rig. 810s and 800 to 1000 watts.

 

[BLDavis]

I play a sidewalk gig in front of a local pub about three times a month during the summer. My GK 800RB and Neo410 are usually enough w/o pa support. We've got some complaints from local buisnesses up to 1/4 mile away so I guess its working so far.
B.

 

[klejst]

I have played numerous outdoor shows which have varied in location and number of people and without PA support and my Mesa PowerHouse 6x10 cabinet powered by my Peavey Tour 450 was able to get the job done. It does depend on the music style, how loud you want to be or your band plays, and also how many other instruments. Usually bigger cabs with more speakers and amps with greater watts to support those cabs are great choices when it come to having no PA support especially outdoors where there is no real confined space or walls.

 

[lbwdog]

There are a few types of outdoor venues.

1; Smaller gatherings such as wedding receptions, pub sidewalks and courtyards. No (or little) PA support.

2; Larger gatherings of similar type. (maybe 300 people) including tent venues.

3; Big stage, festival type events (with excellent PA support).

I've found that I can do most all types with the same rig I'd use in a large indoor club without PA support. In my case, a G-K 700RB with an SWR Goliath III. These are both pro-line components with plenty of power and power handling.
Every now and then (on festival stages with FOH support), I could benefit from an extra cab, but that's usually a preference, not a requirement. I've done many of these with my basic rig.

I will say that a 100-200w. single driver (or two ten) combo is not ideal for this size venue, even though it may suffice for the smaller type gatherings.

Now, I don't play metal, but do play classic rock and R&B with a 5-7 piece band playing at a very full volume.

 

[countrybass007]

The advice to take as much as possible is right on, as you can always use only what you need, but a drag not to have enough. I carry 1500 watts and 5 cabs to all the outdoor venues. One tent show we did last year only required the use of my PJB Suitcase, and another one I used my PJB BG800 Roadcase and my Orange TT with an SP212 and an OBC115 to get enough bass out to the crowd. It's so important to make sure the soundcheck includes your bass, because outside is very unpredictable. Even wind conditions can effect the sound, so approach each gig as a new experience. Above all, HAVE FUN!

 

[Russell L]

Thanks again, ya'll. My brains are boiling with ideas.

 

[Mybikeisblack]

I too have gathered a lot of information from this thread.

 

[SurferJoe46]

40 acre barnyard BBQs w/crowds of 200-300 and I use 600Watts, 2 x 410s and sometimes I bi-amp another 600Watt combo with it's internal pair of 210s and an 810 on the side.

I get 'er done.

Good weather's a-coming and I can't wait!

 

[SactoBass]

My "outdoor with no PA support" rig:

USA Ampeg SVT-VR driving a pair of LDS 15/6 nEarfuls

 

[ErnieD]

I'm dying to try, for the first time, my two Epi UL410-II cabs. Each 8 ohms so I have multi-head choices, LMII, F1, STM-900 finally, Crown CD XLS1500 amp with a pre. I'm leaning to the power amp/pre.

Giggin at a very large downtown Houston public park w/surrounding glass walled businesses, water park, trees, etc. Not sure whether we'll be on thier very large, open air stage or if they will set us up in an alternate location. Its a municipal owned park so they should supply City FOH PA system, not sure how large that system or stage area will be.

Its a big park known for having big name acts perform to huge crowds there. But we are not that big a name so we may not get all that. I keep reading threads here how bringing a huge rig and loud, powerful amp may hinder what the soundman is trying to accomplish with FOH. Not sure they might not just ask me to use a single 410 only. I sorta plan to bring it all and see where I land.

Does the "don't make the soundman crazy with my big rig" rule apply to outdoor gigs or mostly just indoor gigs?

 

[MtManiac]

I'm listening, ya'll. Good stuff here from all. Heh, maybe I could get a 4 ohm 410 and unplug the 12 in my combo. That way I'd at least have 410s and 500w. Or get two 410s at 8 ohms. Now, that would be awesome. Problem is, unless I redo my combo to get the head out I'm stuck with carrying the whole combo around just for the amp. Anyway, there's no way I'm gonna be able to always have a wall of sound behind me, so it's interesting to hear what you guys do.

Thanks.

Try a single 8 Ohm 410 along with the 12 in your combo, plus PA support. Or rent some gear just for this show, take it out of the band budget.

 

[TomB]

Try a single 8 Ohm 410 along with the 12 in your combo, plus PA support. Or rent some gear just for this show, take it out of the band budget.

Yeah, what he said ^ ^. I find an 8 ohm 4x10 kind of a swiss army knife for outdoor smallish gigs, but you may want to throw a 2x10
In truck just in case you don't get a channel (it happens).

 

[billfitzmaurice]

What's the minimum in watts and cab configurations that you'd want? How small could you go? Just curious.

Double whatever you'd use indoors.

 

[Bassdirty]

......I've gotten away with a single 410....

10-4 on the 410 for me.

I did a pigroast last summer with My Goliath 410 (8 ohm) and a Peavey Mark VIII (Rated 600 watts at 2 ohms..so 8 ohms it was prolly only like 160-180 watts er suttin.)

Carry on.

 

[fingerbun]

Double whatever you'd use indoors.

My thoughts exactly...at least if you don't have PA support.

 

[billfitzmaurice]

My thoughts exactly...at least if you don't have PA support.

With or without, same difference. Indoors you have 6dB of boundary gain from the wall behind you. Outdoors you don't have that wall, so you need another 6dB of output to make up for that. Adding a second identical cab gets you that 6dB. If your amp can't drive a second cab due to impedance issues then you'd need a second amp to drive the second cab.
The exception would be if your normal setup has 6dB or more excess output capability when used indoors; if it does that means you're schlepping twice the cab size you need to be.