I agree, a combo won't cut it outside.
PA support is the only way unless you bring the Fridge.
PA support is the only way unless you bring the Fridge.
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Outdoor gigs
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The key to a successful outdoor gig is volume. When you play a packed room, you're generally only filling up the space that's left for the notes to bounce around in. When you're playing the great outdoors, you're trying to fill in the whole world with sound. Not an easy task for a combo amp. My advice is to play only whole notes, smaller notes have flags on them and they tend to blow away quicker.
DI and in ear monitors are GREAT for outdoor gigs. There's not much for acoustics when outdoors.
I seem to find the polar opposite of everybody else. When we play outdoors it is usually with a house behind us. I find the bass travels and the guitar and drums are calmed down. So there is finally a good mix out front since the vocals (and bass) can be brought up.
There are other problems with outdoor gigs: weather and bugs... but bass is not one of them.
There are other problems with outdoor gigs: weather and bugs... but bass is not one of them.
Curious.
I have carried many an outdoor flat bed gig with one 410 and 300w. I also have done a few outdoor shows now with my genzbenz contour 15......and carried them fine as well.
All that being said, it's not even close to optimal. If you're outside, do everything you can to be in the PA. I believe a mix of questionable eq, and one 12" speaker led to your issues.
Ymmv
I have carried many an outdoor flat bed gig with one 410 and 300w. I also have done a few outdoor shows now with my genzbenz contour 15......and carried them fine as well.
All that being said, it's not even close to optimal. If you're outside, do everything you can to be in the PA. I believe a mix of questionable eq, and one 12" speaker led to your issues.
Ymmv
We just got back from attending (not playing) an outdoor festival yesterday. First important point is the bass in the PA was a must.. We spent some time in front of the stage about 40 feet away and the mix was good.
A little later we took a seat about 30 degrees off axis and about 100 feet away. The bass was dominant at that point which makes sense as low frequencies are less directional. Of course, the tone of the bass was as if you had put a low pass filter around 200k on it.
Finally, walking to the parking lot about 200 feet away and 60 degrees off axis the bottom end disappeared and all you could hear were the guitars and snare. The low end energy had disappeared altogether.
My whole point is that outdoors you are dealing with a lot more space and listening points. Although if your listeners are headed to the parking lot you may no longer care what they hear.
Sound energy is very different at different frequencies based upon both distance and position.
I imagine your combo sounded ok in some places and perhaps lacking in others. I would just be sure the PA can carry the bottom for the venue and make sure the sound guy is checking the mix from a lot of different places, not just the optimal position 30 feet back and directly in front of the stage. People all around the normal listening/viewing area all paid to hear the music, not just those seated around the mixing board.
A little later we took a seat about 30 degrees off axis and about 100 feet away. The bass was dominant at that point which makes sense as low frequencies are less directional. Of course, the tone of the bass was as if you had put a low pass filter around 200k on it.
Finally, walking to the parking lot about 200 feet away and 60 degrees off axis the bottom end disappeared and all you could hear were the guitars and snare. The low end energy had disappeared altogether.
My whole point is that outdoors you are dealing with a lot more space and listening points. Although if your listeners are headed to the parking lot you may no longer care what they hear.
Sound energy is very different at different frequencies based upon both distance and position.
I imagine your combo sounded ok in some places and perhaps lacking in others. I would just be sure the PA can carry the bottom for the venue and make sure the sound guy is checking the mix from a lot of different places, not just the optimal position 30 feet back and directly in front of the stage. People all around the normal listening/viewing area all paid to hear the music, not just those seated around the mixing board.
Big Hoss
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It really all depends on how laid back / low volume you are. I would grab an extension cab for that MB and go with at least 2x12.... I know 1x12 tends to get lost outdoors pretty quickly... When doing outdoor shows I do tend to use my Rumble 500 combo + 2x10 cab...
godofthunder59
Life is short, buy the bass.
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If the PA and monitors are adequate, I have a very sweet custom 1x10 combo based on a GK Mb-500 that I can nestle in between the wedges as a monitor. Works great outside. I can't compete nor do I want to with a full PA...
