Double Bass Powered Cabs?

[kwd]

I use an inexpensive preamp to the 'preamp out' of the effects loop on my Polytone amp. I get the best sound with this set up. I know that other TBers do the same thing with their G&K MB150s. One member said that this was essentially using the amp as a powered cabinet. Is that accurate? Since most of us are going for a a flat, uncolored sound I'm wondering why the box + powered cabinet approach isn't more popular. Are there some obvious shortcomings I'm overlooking?

 

[Ric Vice]

I use an inexpensive preamp to the 'preamp out' of the effects loop on my Polytone amp. I get the best sound with this set up. I know that other TBers do the same thing with their G&K MB150s. One member said that this was essentially using the amp as a powered cabinet. Is that accurate? Since most of us are going for a a flat, uncolored sound I'm wondering why the box + powered cabinet approach isn't more popular. Are there some obvious shortcomings I'm overlooking?

There are two designer systems that use the "powered cabinet" that I'm famaliar with. The Schertler Pub 280 system is actuallly a powered cabinet that gets its signal from the Schertler Pre A II. Bergantino also makes the IP line that is also a powered cabinet. The EA Whizzy Extension Cabinet also uses that concept. Unfortunately, it always makes the Speaker Cabinet heavier and I think that's the main reason that they haven't been as sucessful on the DB side of things.
I've never seen a powered cabinet that uses Neo S speakers with the exception of the Acoustic Image, so there may be a heat factor involved with placing Neo Drivers (hot) inside a cabinet with a switching power amplifier (also hot)
GK actually had a powered cabinet in the old Micro Bass B series II line, that had a tweeter designed for keyboard.
Years ago their was a company called Bruce that manufactured several powered cabinets that had a "universal preamp" but that was back in the 70's

Ric

 

[joel kelsey]

Hi,
I once used a Mackie powered speaker with a Raven Labs blender/preamp and it sounded wonderful for EB and DB. I kind of wondered why more people did not go that route. I only know one bass player who uses that setup for his rig. I was only borrowing the rig while my head was being repaired and I thought about investing in that setup as a back up rig, but Raven Labs does not exist anymore. I would say, if it sounds good, stick with it. Who cares what other people use or don't use.

 

[kwd]

Ric

Thank you for the informative reply. I have a shoulder injury so I've been looking to lighten my load. A neodyn powered speaker would probably be the answer but I've never really bought in to the downfiring AI system.

 

[kwd]

Hi,
I once used a Mackie powered speaker with a Raven Labs blender/preamp and it sounded wonderful for EB and DB. I kind of wondered why more people did not go that route. I only know one bass player who uses that setup for his rig. I was only borrowing the rig while my head was being repaired and I thought about investing in that setup as a back up rig, but Raven Labs does not exist anymore. I would say, if it sounds good, stick with it. Who cares what other people use or don't use.

Are there viable "still being produced" alternatives to the Raven Labs unit ? D-tar...? Avalon?

 

[fdeck]

The OP is correct that plugging into the effects return makes it a powered cab. Why are powered cabs not more popular? I think one reason is that a basic preamp doesn't add much to the cost or weight of an amp, yet broadens its potential market appeal considerably. By the same token, the broader market results in wider variety and more price competition among combos.

Something that I think about, occasionally using a DIY preamp, is that the built-in preamp is a handy spare.

 

[tombowlus]

I just flat out love the IP cabs from Bergantino, and my IP112 is now my reference rig for upright. I never did get to try the powered Wizzy, but that is an intriguing option as well.

If 130 lbs and the size of a small deep freeze don't put you out, I am currently reviewing the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] by ISP Technologies. Not really a common rig for upright, I would think.

Some killer non-Raven Labs preamps to go with it are the SIB Fatdrive, Radial Bassbone, Millennia TD-1, Lowdown True Voice, Stewart UDP-1a, Summit TD-100, Avalon U5, and others.

Tom.

 

[joel kelsey]

Are there viable "still being produced" alternatives to the Raven Labs unit ? D-tar...? Avalon?

I think it is D-tar.............but I am not sure. Does anyone else know?

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

It is D-tar, and the unit you're thinking of is the Solstice. It's pretty...um...colorful looking , but by all accounts it sounds great. I liked Tom's Bergantino IP112 a lot, but felt it needed a high pass filter to be really effective for DB - amazing sounding cabinet.

Another thing I've done recently is using the Acoustic Image Focus 2 as a blender for situations where there's a house amp and I don't want to bring a cabinet to the gig. It works really well, and weighs only slightly more than the Raven Labs PMB-II.

 

[tombowlus]

I liked Tom's Bergantino IP112 a lot, but felt it needed a high pass filter to be really effective for DB - amazing sounding cabinet.

I totally agree.

Tom.