speaker size for metal?

[joeydavidson]

speaker size for metal? ...just joined a death metal band after 15 years of playing...

this is level right?

I see no problem here, most people I see that like early death metal tend to be in their 30's

As for playing live and rehersing, It will probably depend on how loud your guitarists are playing, however a lot of death metal seem to use effects/pedels for distortion and are using multiple big cabs to 'surround' themselves with sound rather than sheer volume.

 

[LuckyBassPlayer]

Whats the point of having a full stack if you aren't going to use its volume? If half a stack was loud enough I'm sure they would leave the second cab at home...but its obviously just not enough.

Well, that actually is a good idea, just bringing one cabinet, I honestly can't see why a 4x12 wouldn't be enough for a band just starting out. The guitarist in my band uses a Randall 300W 412 half-stack, and that thing can shake up a practice room. They could crank that up, without everybody struggling to hear themselves.

 

[makohund]

If your guitarists are each rocking a full stack then chances are they look really cool. A full stack is cool. And the smaller the venue the cooler it looks because it makes the amp look bigger. Match their full stacks with either an 8x10 or a 4x10 and a 1x15(or 18). You can't be onstage in a metal band with a small single cab rig between two full stacks of searing guitars. Even people that don't understand whats going on musically are just going to see whats going on with the amps and be like "oh...that wierd guy with the different guitar has a smaller amp than the other guys. He must not be as important."

And thus the stereotype of the bassist is perpetuated. Ideally if money allows you should match them both with 2 stacks for "sonic equality and stage audio balance" in case of a "bad sound guy"

This is a metal band, right? If its not over the top your doing it wrong.

If you're thinking about how big your rig looks next to the other guys, you're doing it wrong.

All of the stuff about size and coolness... really? What is this, bubble-gum hair metal? And suggesting putting a 4x10 with a 15 just rubs it in more. You'd be better off with cardboard boxes with 15" circles painted on it if you're that worried about looks. Splatter some red paint on it for good measure. Don't forget to stuff a large vegetable down your pants, too.

The sonic equality, balance, and bad sound guy stuff I can agree with.

 

[makohund]

using multiple big cabs to 'surround' themselves with sound rather than sheer volume.

Exactly. Only stacking them high if the stage is too small to spread 'em.

 

[zagralin_arf]

Putting on a good show is more than just sounding good. I can listen to Iron Maiden or Motorhead any time I want, but seeing them is a visual experience as well. The attitude that they convey in their music is as much associated with image as their sound. Remember, Lemmy's stack is a Marshall Head, a 4x12 and a 4x15. And he uses 2 stacks. And that sir...is ****ing cool.

If you don't have the inherent masculinity to play with a boner for the entire show the vegetable idea isn't a bad idea. Zucchinis and rutabagas are the best.

Cardboard boxes with red paint would just look dumb. Use real blood! Remember...you don't want to look like your faking it.

 

[bronzehydra]

I use a 4x10 and a 2x15 in my metal band. And when we play live, I use a DI

 

[IngerAlb]

The old Warwick cabs were great = lots of low end without losing sound clarity and a separate control knob for the horn (so it was easy to silence it if necessary - which in your case is a must). If you can manage to find a W 8 X 10 or even a 6 X 10 (which, believe it or not, can put out even more bass than the 8 X 10) you're set. I have no idea how their current cabs sound though...

In general...I'd say any 8 X 10 with no horn would work just fine.

 

[rockstarbassist]

the OP hasn't clarified (do they ever ) but if it's JUST two stacks, that's realy not that bad. My lead player uses a a full Marshall stack and my singer uses a Recto Oversize 412 w/ V30's which is just as loud as those girly 1960A's... lol.
I do the math of one 412/215/610/810 cab per stack and that's plenty.

 

[makohund]

Putting on a good show is more than just sounding good. I can listen to Iron Maiden or Motorhead any time I want, but seeing them is a visual experience as well. The attitude that they convey in their music is as much associated with image as their sound.

Sure. And well, I don't consider a few boxes a "visual experience". It's just as (or more) cool when you don't see any cabs at all. Seen a Maiden set lately?

Remember, Lemmy's stack is a Marshall Head, a 4x12 and a 4x15. And he uses 2 stacks. And that sir...is ****ing cool.

... because Lemmy is in front of it. Any joker can stand in front of a stack, doesn't make him/her cool. Definitely doesn't make them Lemmy.

If you don't have the inherent masculinity to play with a boner for the entire show the vegetable idea isn't a bad idea. Zucchinis and rutabagas are the best.

Ok you've got a sense of humor, I'll give you that. But hey, I wasn't the one suggesting relying on useless augmentations for stage presence.

Cardboard boxes with red paint would just look dumb. Use real blood!

Prop cabs aren't bloodworthy. If it's to sound good, it's gear. If it's to look cool, it's a prop. If it's to look cool, while blowing speakers and sounding crappy, it's doesn't just look dumb.

Remember...you don't want to look like your faking it.

Now, you've got the idea.

A single 6 or 8x10 would do the job. Any fEARful setup with multiple woofers would do it. A pile of 12's might be good. If you want maximum "big-cab cool factor", at least do it right and run a skyscraper of 15's.

Don't run a single 15 with a 4x10 unless you're using it just as a prop, and don't mind when it eventually turns into one.