RH450 + RS210 - Not Loud Enough

[Downunderwonder]

His functions gigs may dry up if he ignores the real problems and creates a bigger one with more speakers.

 

[GrandLowBass]

Everything's been said already, but for reinforcement:

Get more or bigger cabs. Your amp should do the trick in the smallish setting you're describing but a 210 rarely does the trick on its own in a gig. I would grab another 210, but a 410 would be great too.

Also, you should tell your bandmates they're overpowering you. Volume shouldn't be a competition. Make it about balance.

 

[DougD]

The question is though, do you know what you would be listenening for ?

Just about any two cabs together sound better then one alone.

Ya know, you might have something there. i've only been playing around 30 years or so. I have absolutely no idea what sounds good in another 10 years I might even learn how to tune my bass

 

[DougD]

The general consensus of this thread is he needs more speakers. And the amp is not the problem

That, and maybe his band mates should use a little less volume to get a good mix. Depending on personalities, asking them to turn down could be a problem. Some people act insulted if they are asked to be reasionable

 

[B-string]

Wisdom comes from age and being blackballed from venues

 

[Bass_Pounder]

Ya know, you might have something there. i've only been playing around 30 years or so. I have absolutely no idea what sounds good in another 10 years I might even learn how to tune my bass

Oh my - playing around 30 years, guess you got me beat - NOT

Concentrate on learning about phasing and comb filtering first, then work on tuning

 

[arai]

That, and maybe his band mates should use a little less volume to get a good mix. Depending on personalities, asking them to turn down could be a problem. Some people act insulted if they are asked to be reasionable

Agreed. Musos are notorious for having inflated egos and they probably should turn down/play softer. But sometimes you have to pick your battles and lets face it some folk in the crowd like it loud
You can almost tell, without knowing him, that the drummer would probably take it as an insult.
But unless it was a small venue, quiet gig like a jazz, folk music in a small club etc. or a rehearsal, I would always take something more then a 2x10.
The music they are playing is pretty rocking

 

[Modern Growl]

The cab isn't the problem... its that stupid amp your playing. Didn't you know, they only put out like 200 watts

 

[arai]

ha

 

[DougD]

Agreed. Musos are notorious for having inflated egos and they probably should turn down/play softer. But sometimes you have to pick your battles and lets face it some folk in the crowd like it loud
You can almost tell, without knowing him, that the drummer would probably take it as an insult.
But unless it was a small venue, quiet gig like a jazz, folk music in a small club etc. or a rehearsal, I would always take something more then a 2x10.
The music they are playing is pretty rocking

Good point

 

[DougD]

Oh my - playing around 30 years, guess you got me beat - NOT

Concentrate on learning about phasing and comb filtering first, then work on tuning

Geez, tell that to the people that actually make the stuff hes using. Msybe you can get hired on as the resident phase checker upper lol

 

[lloydage]

That, and maybe his band mates should use a little less volume to get a good mix. Depending on personalities, asking them to turn down could be a problem. Some people act insulted if they are asked to be reasionable

Yes, I did ask them to turn down but drummer said that was difficult to do for our kind of music and then guitarist said he needed to be that loud to keep up with drummer. Eventually they agreed to play a bit quieter but I think as you said they took it as a bit of an insult which it wasnt meant to be.

In any case I went into my local Digital Village and tried 2 x RS210 and if that isnt loud enough I dont know what is!! A 2nd RS210 is the option for me.

Thanks for all your comments guys

Lloyd (OP)

 

[Downunderwonder]

I posted your solution to the classic guitar & drum "volume alliance" earlier today.

No bones about it, your drummer is an oaf. He's basically saying he has no control over how hard he hits, a lack of technique born of lack any desire to practice finer motor control. He's a basher of his own admittance even though he's not cognizant of it.

Starving the drummer of guitar volume is your means to get him to take stock without holding a gun to his head. Some rod sticks would help short circuit the process.

 

[DougD]

Yes, I did ask them to turn down but drummer said that was difficult to do for our kind of music and then guitarist said he needed to be that loud to keep up with drummer. Eventually they agreed to play a bit quieter but I think as you said they took it as a bit of an insult which it wasnt meant to be.

In any case I went into my local Digital Village and tried 2 x RS210 and if that isnt loud enough I dont know what is!! A 2nd RS210 is the option for me.

Thanks for all your comments guys

Lloyd (OP)

That should do you good, plus you'll have the option of using only one cab for quieter gigs. Win, win Now, your only problems are the boneheaded band mates. it sounds like they need to hear themselves over the mix. Its frustrating, but you can fix it

 

[Eublet]

The 750 has the same ~240 watts of power that the 450 does. The voicing may help him cut through better, but he really needs more speakers.

I believe both of those amps are fine running three 8 Ohm cabs, so running three matching 210's would net him the most volume.

The burst headroom on the 750 is 200 watts higher than the 450. But yes, he definitely needs more speaker. The RH450 is as loud as any 500 watt head, and a single 210 with any 500 watt head isn't going to be loud enough for what he is doing.

 

[dukeorock]

If the thread was called "How can I get my bandmates to turn down?" then many of those comments would be justified and I don't see the point in telling someone their gear is crap.

The simplest question I can think of is, do you LOVE the sound of your rig, but just wish it were louder? If so, get another cab EXACTLY like the one you have...thats your safest bet. It is true that those amps aren't super powerful, but lots of people sure love 'em. Wondering if anyone's used the amp as a pre and added a power amp?

 

[Musicman20]

If the thread was called "How can I get my bandmates to turn down?" then many of those comments would be justified and I don't see the point in telling someone their gear is crap.

The simplest question I can think of is, do you LOVE the sound of your rig, but just wish it were louder? If so, get another cab EXACTLY like the one you have...thats your safest bet. It is true that those amps aren't super powerful, but lots of people sure love 'em. Wondering if anyone's used the amp as a pre and added a power amp?

This is true...another cab!

BUT...before the Bass Gear review...everyone said 'woah, this 450W head kicks much more than it should'.

 

[MrLenny1]

4x10 is a great set up overall.
Just add another cab.

 

[Bassmec]

I have always found that in order to play a particular song the natural balance of the instruments played on that song is what you need to carefully copy.
In the case of performing a dr feelgood song you appear to have failed to notice the decisions that the original bass player made.

I don't suppose any of the musicians here would expect the drummer with a similar drum kit 22" kick 14" snare 14" hats, If trying to play the feel good song as accurately as he can including all dynamics ETC.
Would be any different in level to the original drummer.

If you did you would have to accept denaturing the performance into some kind of function band, insipid travesty of the energy projected by the original song.

Why exactly did you expect you could play a song against those drums with 1/4 of the speaker real estate, whatever the actual available wattage that the original bass player has found works well on it.

 

[dukeorock]

This is true...another cab!

BUT...before the Bass Gear review...everyone said 'woah, this 450W head kicks much more than it should'.

Well...I played one before I knew the specs...liked it ok, but didn't think it had much horsepower...but a buddy owns one and it works great for his small shows for sure